Unless you’ve been living in a media-free world (and many people do), then you’ve heard of the H1N1 flu virus, more commonly known as the Swine Flu. When this latest outbreak of the Swine Flu was first discovered, it spread quite rapidly. Some otherwise healthy people died due to complications from the flu and it became a growing concern to health agencies around the world. One of these concerns is about swine flu’s effect on unborn babies.
Here’s a quick recap on the H1N1 virus:
In the United States, the virus spread from infections in a handful of states to infections across all of the contiguous states. Most of the deaths attributed to swine flu in the states have occurred in individuals with underlying medical conditions. However, the weather warmed up here and swine flu news seemed to wane.
In the midst of the warming trend here in the Northern Hemisphere, nations in the Southern Hemisphere were entering prime flu season and the virus continued to make news. Eventually, the World Health Organization declared an official swine flu pandemic
Now, nations across the world are scrambling to create a vaccine, especially nations in the Northern Hemisphere that are getting ready to enter flu season in a few months. This vaccine is welcomed by many but also questioned by many. Personally, I’m leery of any new to the market vaccine. Although my daughter has asthma and gets very ill when she catches a respiratory virus, she’s not a candidate for any flu vaccine due to her egg allergy.
The recommendation has always been to vaccinate my husband, son, and myself in hopes that it will cut down on her likelihood of catching the flu. Well, this year, she ended up with influenza A (and a 106.5 degree temperature) and only passed it on to me. She likely brought it home from school or dance so in this instance, vaccinating one of the three of us wouldn’t have prevented her from getting the flu.
Although we aren’t looking at receiving the vaccine, women who are planning on conceiving a child may want to look at the results of a new study. Scientists have discovered that the brain of unborn babies can be damaged by the H1N1 flu virus (and other flu virii).
“Prenatal viral infection led to altered gene expression in the hippocampus, including autism and schizophrenia candidate genes,” said Hossein Fatemi, a neuroscientist at the University of Minnesota medical school, whose research paper details the results.” Source: Times Online
Okay, so let me get this straight. Prenatal exposure to vaccines may cause autism but prenatal exposure to the virus that vaccine prevents may also cause autism. This is a catch 22.
Now I’m speaking as a mother of two children on the autism spectrum. I do not feel that my children’s condition was a result of vaccine damage, I feel that they had a strong genetic disposition to the condition and am not surprised that both of them exhibit spectrum symptoms. However, if I were a pregnant (or hoping to be pregnant) mom, this bit of information would concern me.
I’m curious what your thoughts are on the H1N1 vaccine issue is. If a vaccine is created, will you be vaccinated yourself and/or your children? If not, I’m curious why.
Photo by Arwen Abendstern
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I’ve not decided yet. My husband is monitoring the news on H1N1 and I’m sure we’ll be discussing this before we make a decision.
I have been trying so hard to find some evidence that my unborn child will be unaffected by the H1N1 vaccine since they just imposed a mandatory vaccination at my college (School of Nursing). If I refuse the vaccine I will not be permitted to attend classes and failed out. I am so upset and hate having my rights taken away.
I would not get the shot if i was pregnant just this morning i resvied a phone call from a friends mother. My friend was 8month pregnant had a ultra sound on monday everything was great. She got the shot on tuesday coz her doctor recommend it she went into early labour this morning & her baby was born sleeping. They havnt said it is because of the shot but they are demanding test to be run. I would not risk it she was so close to holding her baby in her arms & now she has to say good bye
I too have great concerns, I am 5 months pregnant and my sweet baby has just started to develop more and is healthy, and even though I know this vaccine as an individual would save my life if I got the flus virus, However I too now am a mother and maternal instincts and concerns streer me away from this vaccine. I too have read alot on this vaccine and nothing indicates that this vaccine will be safe for my unborn child, and its a great risk that i’m not willing to take.
Please please GET the vaccine NO VACCINE EVER gave autism to children,
one idiot doctor made a mistake about one type of vaccine given to YOUNG CHILDREN (MMR) and this has been proven wrong. he was discharged from his work. DON’T believe idiot celebs who are NOT MEDICAL.
IF you get flu while you are pregnant , you are at GREAT risk of being very ill yourself and for your baby to be damaged ( heart problems , lower IQ , shorter than average , weaker ) this is ALL FACT. NO vaccine is 100% safe but it’s 1 in a million that get complications. BUT remember VACCINES DO NOT , I REPEAT DO NOT GIVE AUTISM , 100% FACT
BY the way
DON’T get your advice from reading newspapers , watching TV , anecdotes from freinds (who are not medical )
Get your advice from proper sources , proper medical journals , websites , your doctor , a freind who’s a doctor or nurse , the world health organisation , etc etc.. definently NOT from woo-woo websites and anti-vaccination groups who are LIARS and or STUPID