What to do, what to do - The Flu

So, I have been asked again and again if I am going to get the flu shot for myself and my children.



YES



I have done my research - not just listened to friends and the news.



This is what I have found.



WASH YOUR HANDS!! General hygeine is an extremely effective method in preventing transmission (this is true for all flus and colds).



http://www.gsk.ca/english/docs-pdf/Arepanrix_PIL_CAPA01v01.pdf

Read pages 22 and 23. You can read all the scientific info (especially if you have insomnia!) It contains good information regarding the side effects, studies done by the company and by others. It tells you that the dosage contains 2.5 MICRO grams of Thimerosal,a mercury derivative added as preservative.



Then I looked at the WHIMIS data for Thimerosal. Thimerosal: ORAL (LD50): Acute: 75 mg/kg [Rat]. 91 mg/kg [Mouse]. So that means that to kill an average of 50% of the rat population, they needed to ingest 75 mg/Kg. (A MICRO gram is 1/1000 of a mg.) Extrapolate the data and a 200lb peron would need to ingest almost 7 litres of Thimerosal to have a 50% chance of mortality. The dosage in the vacine is 0.0000003 of the estimated lethal dose. I get one, maybe two shots per year that have this as a preservative.



Tuna has 0.000118 (FDA website) - I eat tuna more than once a year.



World Health Organization

http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/frequently_asked_questions/vaccine_preparedness/safety_approval/en/index.html



"Thiomersal does not contain methyl mercury, which is a naturally-occurring compound and whose toxic effects on humans have been well studied. Thiomersal contains a different form of mercury (i.e. ethyl mercury, which does not accumulate, is metabolized and removed from the body much faster than methyl mercury). " WHO - see above link.



As of 25 October 2009, worldwide there have been more than 440,000 laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009 and over 5700 deaths reported to WHO. http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_10_30/en/index.html



Meanwhile, if you choose not to vaccinate yourself or your family. If you do get sick - please stay home and keep it contained!

So Thankful...

What an amazing and busy year. I am so thankful for the love and support of my mom and dad - kids watching, painting, reapirs, advice on raising kids... the list goes on and on.

I am thankful for my amazing family. three very cool kids, and super-dad fantastic husband - three happly married sibs, new cousins - the family continues to expand and I couldn't be happier. I just wish we could all live closer!

A satisfying and challenging job that is bringing me joy this year (last year had me scared), I am sure I have found myself in the classroom again.

New and old friends - reconnections and strengthened connections.

A wonderful new house that is almost fully finished... two more weeks and I'll be able to park in the garage.

Life is good and I am thankful.