Swine flu for all!

[MrSnaffles]

There was this article on the BBC News Magazine - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8045896.stm

My favourite quote would have to be:

"The scenario is that you get your mates together to spread swine flu. But then you take it home. Perhaps you take your dear old granny a cup of tea. She catches it. And dies."

Always good to keep things in perspective....but should swine flu be used to build up immunity?
We are always hearing that we are more prone to catching things now than we were, so is now the time to use something like swine flu to immunize ourselves?

[kalniel]

We are always hearing that we are more prone to catching things now than we were

I've never heard that, quite the opposite in fact.

so is now the time to use something like swine flu to immunize ourselves?

Absolutely not. If you really wanted some kind of natural immunization (however slight) then go out and catch normal flu if you've never had it before.

[Tzarbo]

It's probably not worth it. For starters, you might not (read: probably wont) get it unless it goes pandemic, and even then, it's hardly the Black Death.

Also, there is no guarantee that the strain you will get now will be milder than the strain you might get this winter, so best take your chances.

And of course, it can kill you - probably wont, but it can. It's usually not a good idea not to go looking for a disease that can kill you, even if it's only a 0.4-1.4% chance.

[MrSnaffles]

I've never heard that, quite the opposite in fact.



Absolutely not. If you really wanted some kind of natural immunization (however slight) then go out and catch normal flu if you've never had it before.

http://beta13dglucan.org/betaglucanbeingprepared.pdf was right at the top of a quick search - although it could just be scaremongering.

Plus if this is a new strain of H1N1 then won't catching normal flu just do nothing?

I'm not condoning it - just looking for ways of immunisation

EDIT: Not that I thinnk Hexus will provide the answer to solving the worlds diseases but it might!

[Tzarbo]

The logic is that these days we are wrapped in cotton wool, and don't catch rancid meat fever, playing in the woods disease, and the shivering death chills as kids, like we used to, leaving us more open to a dose of something nasty.

And I think you are correct - don't think normal flu gives you immunity to swine flu.

[kalniel]

http://beta13dglucan.org/betaglucanbeingprepared.pdf was right at the top of a quick search - although it could just be scaremongering.

Just read the website that's from and draw your own conclusions... As for that paper suggesting that the one fact that proves there is a problem is that our immune systems have spare capacity, well that says it all about the intelligence of that article really..

Plus if this is a new strain of H1N1 then won't catching normal flu just do nothing?

Depends, but it's likely that exposure to other H1N1s will still provoke some kind immune response.

[kalniel]

And I think you are correct - don't think normal flu gives you immunity to swine flu.

You're mixing up the scientific use of a word with it's common use

Exposure to normal flu won't give you immunity in the common use of the word (ie, total and absolute protection), but it might have the effect of some immunization or future immune response (which means your immune system recognises that it's a threat and tries to do something about it - successful or not).

[Tzarbo]

Ah, you were using the scientific use of the word. I never saw that one coming.

Good work.

[thejimbo]

What a party

[Tzarbo]

This thread reminds me actually - I never had Chicken Pox as a child... supposed to be worse if you get it as an adult, isn't it?

[kalniel]

This thread reminds me actually - I never had Chicken Pox as a child... supposed to be worse if you get it as an adult, isn't it?

Yes, quite a bit. Not as bad as mumps though.

[Tzarbo]

Never had mumps as a child either! Damn my healthy childhood!

Apart from measels and a few colds, I never came down with anything.

EDIT - I had German measles as well I think.

[Oobie-]

www.doihaveswineflu.org

Or add a .co.uk to the end (which has a swear word btw)

[nvening]

i want swine flu cause it means i will probs get my predicted grades not the shocking ones im really going to get!!!

[Agent]

What a party

You have done several posts like this and then go right for the FS forum. Any more like it and your PC will be reset.