Should I Take the Swine Flu Vaccine???

New This Week: October 14, 2009

Should I Take the Swine Flu Vaccine???

Dear Readers,

There has been a lot of publicity regarding the Swine Flu. Unfortunately, most of it has been sensationalistic, instead of educational and helpful. It is important to put the Swine Flu in perspective.

Here’s how to tell whether or not you should take the vaccine.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Your Comments and Posts Worked ;-)

CFS to be on the New Dr. Oz TV Show!!!

My thanks to the hundreds of readers who left a comment at the Oprah website about the Dr. Oz article in the September Oprah Magazine, which discussed fibromyalgia and recommended our treatment approach. A few weeks ago, the producers for the new nationally syndicated Dr. Oz TV show flew me to New York to tape a 12-15 minute primary segment on fatigue, with a special segment on CFS! This suggests the topics of CFS and fibromyalgia are now being tested by Oprah’s production company, and we’ll be seeing more if we keep sending in positive comments!

It will likely play as the first segment of one of the new Dr. Oz TV shows in the next 3 weeks. We’ll send an announcement of the date as soon as we hear.

Stay tuned!!!

RESEARCH BRIEFS

Meanwhile, while the sensationalistic and inaccurate media reports fuel Swine Flu fears, the research findings on whether to get Swine Flu vaccine are less positive. Below are 2 reports on the Swine Flu vaccine. Also, let’s look at the new study showing another infection which is positive in the majority of CFS patients, the role of viral infections in triggering thyroiditis (thyroid inflammation), and how adrenal support can knock out sore throats much more quickly.

Regular Flu Shots Decrease Effectiveness of Swine Flu Vaccine

Having received the regular flu shot in the past year may make the Swine Flu vaccine less effective, suggests a large study of over 12 million Canadians. Read more »

Seasonal Flu Shot Some Help vs. Swine Flu?

But a very small Mexican study showed that those who had the flu shot in the past were less likely to die from Swine Flu, where the American studies showed no effect at all. Basically, pick an answer you want, and you can find a study to fit it! Read more »

XMRV Virus Found in CFS Patients

New study shows that a virus related to the AIDS virus, called "XMRV," is present in a high percentage of those with CFS and rare in healthy people. Many of you have heard me call CFS the “Infection of the Month” club, because there are many infections present in CFS that are rare in those with a healthy immune system. Nonetheless, this is still interesting and helpful. Read more »

Virus Is Found in Many with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

New York Times Article »

Read a review of the medical study at Medscape.com (free registration required).

Viruses May Trigger Thyroid Illness

Thyroiditis (thyroid inflammation — a major cause of both under and over active thyroid illness) is associated with a number of viral infections. Thyroiditis is also commonly seen in, and can also be a trigger for, CFS. Read more »