Here we are in full pandemic: the army of infected people now spreading like wildfire. Everyone knows someone who is at home with a fever and the flu? ... This year is added to the classic seasonal influenza known as swine flu, technically called H1N1 flu. Authorities on television and is a mess, you go from 'rampant alarmism to total more reassurance: both extreme positions are probably unjustified. We try to understand more.
Vaccines for these influences are ready for some months now: that of the season you can buy in pharmacies, while the influenza A for now is only found in hospitals, and is currently reserved only for certain professional groups and for people with chronic diseases and complications such as diabetes.
But just on that pandemic vaccine is a great discussion:
- some say the vaccine stimulates and to slow the epidemic and reduce the risk of serious complications, also blocking any malicious virus mutation;
- there are some who oppose this vaccine claiming that it is useless because this influence was relatively mild flu symptoms, while the vaccine could even be dangerous to your health.
We must indeed admit that the alarmism and panic is not justified: this new virus is not particularly aggressive, indeed, is usually less severe than the other seasonal flu despite there being led to believe otherwise. If anything to worry about is its spread. So we must be quiet!
The principal defendants are the pandemic vaccine adjuvants, additives added to vaccines to enhance the effect by stimulating the immune system. Among adjuvants is particularly squalene (MF59), which is accused by some to be responsible for Gulf War Syndrome, autoimmune diseases, or Guillain-Barre syndrome (a form of paralysis); another additive Thiomersal is used, which could be dangerous for the presence of mercury in it. These drawbacks, if any, would be very rare, however, in line with the risks of all other vaccines. Another charge made against the influenza A vaccines is that they would not have been adequately tested in an attempt to shorten the production and distribution.
However, it should say a few words of adjuvants and vaccines. The misinformation of the news and the press have fueled many urban legends to the most bizarre conspiracy theories, which were amplified even better on the internet, playing on the fears and emotions of people, both as regards the alleged danger of the virus, both with regard to vaccine-phobia. But we try to reason the most efficient possible. The adjuvants used are disputed for decades in many other vaccines. For example, the same flu vaccine "normal", and widely available in pharmacies, contain adjuvants such as squalene. But they never hear about it so much controversy as now Swine Flu ... Why? Even the doubts about the dangers of additives are based on simple assumptions, often refuted by other scientific studies. Furthermore, with regard to testing, from what I can understand, flu vaccines have essentially a common-proven, resembling one another, while changing only the strain on which they act. So you do not see details about scandals.
Italy is currently distributed the vaccine Focetria from Novartis, which contains both squalene that thiomersal. In a few months due to arrive in Europe but also other vaccines approved by the EMEA: those of Sanofi Pasteur, GSK and Baxter (the latter non-adjuvanted), which may be available for the second phase of vaccination, that is open to everyone from the end of January. The global situation, however, is not homogeneous, and availability will vary from country to country.
As mentioned before, those who have diabetes have the right to require the vaccine right away. Despite claims that some doctor in case of good glycemic control vaccine is not necessary, it is generally recommended by diabetes associations and to avoid any negative impact on therapy and metabolic imbalances, especially with regard to complications, in line with the advice of ' classical influence of all the years. The way to get it vary by region.
For example, the 'ASL Mantua (Lombardy Region) distributes vaccines for some influenza A week to the categories entitled to it: you must register at the surgery with vaccinations instead of the pink card exemption of diabetes. If there are no contraindications, the vaccine is administered, leaving a possible second booster dose at weeks later: the signs in this regard are not yet clear. Furthermore, increasing the ASL also provides free seasonal influenza vaccine to people with diabetes and other risk groups, so no need to buy it in pharmacies.
In general you should contact your Local Health Authority of jurisdiction to hear the details of vaccination, and for more information on who can access this service. Everyone is free to choose whether to vaccinate or not, acting in conscience. However, it is important to follow the instructions of doctors and your diabetes, the only ones able to give the best advice for your health.
Many people have doubts and fears, not being convinced by this vaccine or the developments of the pandemic. Unfortunately, influenza and influenza vaccines has been made a lot of misinformation: the media are concerned about the hype instead of objective information, and health care organizations themselves are not always consistent with themselves. At the moment we can only say that swine flu is very contagious and widespread, but is not particularly dangerous in most cases there are severe symptoms, are often more subtle influence normal. But those who have diabetes know that the fever and malaise may complicate the management of blood glucose and insulin, increasing the risk.
In conclusion, we are faced with a problem, the pandemic, and a question: yes or no vaccine? Must put on the scale of the risks and benefits of any vaccine. At the moment this seems to be the balance in favor of the benefits for themselves and for others. But the conditional is obligatory in the absence of reliable data.
So the only good advice are to always refer to your doctor or diabetes specialist, contact your technical information for the ASL, and following common hygiene widely publicized.
After that ... where are we going? We await developments.
I have a diabetes type I insulin.
I have a pretty good blood glucose, rarely coming to the 200 depends on how much I eat
I'm afraid to take the vaccine.
com I need comporatre
thanks
Hello Agnes.
You must feel free to choose. The flu is not dangerous. Definitely a good glycemic control reduces the risk further, although usually the flu vaccine is still recommended for those who have diabetes from associations and doctors. In addition, many are unfounded fears about the vaccine, there is probably nothing to worry about. Ask your doctor, and then decide by assessing the risks of various options. You do not have, but not even be scared. Then if you want to let us know how it went. See you soon!
Simon
Good morning,
I am 47 years old, I was determined by the type II diabetes in 2000, first treated with oral hypoglycemic agents and in September 2008 on insulin (Apidra, Lantus 50 units daily and 40 units a day).
My standard blood glucose after an overnight fast 170/180 - 175 approx. postprandial afternoon - evening postprandial 170/200 and 200 approx. before bed.
I've never had problems with hypoglycemia.
I follow a diet but does not carry much physical activity.
I never made flu vaccines in recent years but as they are subject to seasonal sick of Mali (colds, coughs, flu) I kindly ask you if you advise me to take the vaccine and the vaccine, if so: what 's the seasonal influenza or for 'H1N1 flu?
Thanks in advance for your kind response.
Giorgio.
Good evening George.
Usually in the metabolic control are evaluated the stability of blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin, which should be as much as possible under the 7% (according to some recent studies). However, it is only his diabetologist that can perform a medical evaluation of the vaccine is also recommended.
In general, all the years to people with diabetes are advised to take flu shots. And since the H1N1 flu is very similar to normal seasonal influenza, both vaccines are recommended this year. However, there is no obligation: everyone can continue to do as it is used. In fact I do not think that there may be additional reasons, other than those already proposed for the flu in recent years.
However the decision is his and must be given with a doctor!
FYI, the next ...
Simon
Hello, I am a mother anxious ..
My son is 18 years old and suffering from paralysis stastica gloomy, does not walk and uses a corrozzina.
My son is educated and do not take drugs.
It's only rehabilitation therapy and its general condition is good.
N let him know if the vaccine or not they are really scared and I combatutta
some advice ... what to do?
x I am now avoiding school and rehabilitation center
thanks
lisa
Dear Lisa, I can only advise you not to be anxious, do not worry! For the rest contact the doctor and ask him advice. No one here can give you medical information, I'm sorry ...
Good day!
Hello I am a mom, my 2 year old son has a mild allergic asthma ... must take the vaccine against the flu?? thanks
Angela, I can only repeat what has already been said here will not find medical advice, you should contact your doctor! Good day!
good evening I diabetic for 42 years stefano 2 type fast 1.insulina 5 max 7 units before meals. 113 morning blood sugar levels up, night after dinner, 170, glycated 6. diabetologist my respect to the flu vaccine has advised me not to do and the family doctor the same, since I have not gravi.cosa disease or do you think a little fear, I follow their directions or vaccine? THANK YOU AND GOOD NIGHT.
Stephen Good evening. In my opinion should not be afraid or flu or the vaccine, there is nothing to fear, then go play it safe by following the directions you have given your doctors! Until next time ...
are diabetic for 31 years and I'm 36 so the insulin since I was 5 years .. my hemoglobin is 7 and 4 years from the pump port! No I have no complications and I have a very healthy boy of almost 3 years! I always done, but inf.stagionale xl h1n1 vaccine are very wary ... my doctor recommended it but I have many many doubts .. help me ..
but how do you advise people to consult your doctor when the first to be convinced of what to do No they are the ones!? have the courage to say officially what every citizen should do, excuse the outburst, but here's' hypocrisy around 1 ..
Hello everyone, I have a son almost 14 years, diabetic ins.indipendente by febbraio.Su medical advice I gave him the vaccine infl. season, the other on the advice diabetologist and on the advice of medical friends (I'm a nurse) does not do it to him .. I'm sorry but I am wary of vaccines ...
cm ² each one, and 'doctor if' the same!
Elena is a choice you have to do to you, along with some expert!
Cristina, you're right: everyone is a doctor of himself, so it is right to freely choose! (More)
Hello Dino, I would like to clarify a couple of issues you have raised with your comment.
This blog is not written by doctors or people who have the power to "say officially what every citizen should do" as ask you. First, because in medicine (and science in general) there are no certainties, so you can not determine something "official", so the same for everyone. Second, because only doctors can give advice or therapeutic indications, while this is certainly not the task of this blog "amateur" for lack of jurisdiction (this information is incorrect), and because otherwise you would be confronted (and rightly) to problems Legal. Besides, the site speaks of diabetes, not vaccines or influence if not in this particular occasion.
I do not have all the answers in my pocket so I did not dare to say anything, I can tell more than to share opinions and news: If you instead think you know what's right and what is wrong then go ahead, taking you though your responsibilities giuriche. For this I can not tell anyone what to do: everyone is free to do as you feel, or how it is written in another comment "everyone is a doctor of himself." At best, if one is in doubt, the only advice I can give is to ask and inquire of those who have the necessary skills, which are the doctors, in fact. Then it is normal that in medicine there is any doubt, not all think the same way: it does not change the fact that they are the people most "suitable" for this sort of thing, it's their job.
As you see, is not hypocrisy, but rationality and common sense.
I hope I explained myself ... I'm sorry if they seem too "decided", but needed to be clear!
Greetings!