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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2005-11-10, Page 7THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2005. PAGE 7. Flu shot not the only way to fight illness Getting your shot? Staff at the Huron County Health unit rolled up their sleeves Monday, Nov. 7 to get the flu vaccine. (Heather crawford photo) By Heather Crawford Citizen staff There have been several cases of the flu diagnosed in Huron County already this season. Dr. Jim Hollingworth. a family physician out of Goderich said. Flu clinics have been set up and are planned to be set up across the county this week including one at the Legion in Clinton on Nov. 15 and at the Legion in Goderich on Nov. 24 both from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. The influenza vaccine is a purified protein from flu viruses that are expected to spread this season, Hollingworth said. “Flu viruses are monitored on a global basis and [experience has shown that strains that] start in Asia usually spread to Europe and North America.” Andrea Gingrich, a naturopath from Seaforth said the World Health Organization tries to predict which three strains will be in the public and the vaccine protects against those strains. “There is no guarantee that those three will be the only strains [a person] is exposed to. You could still catch other strains. [The flu shot] is not a magic bullet for the winter season,” she said. Gingrich explained that the vaccine is made up of inactive influenza and when injected, the body recognizes this dead strain and builds up immunity to protect against it if it enters the body. “If you are ill your immune system may not be able to protect against it,” she said. Gingrich recommends, whether you have had the flu shot or not, to get a good diet with a focus on vegetables, keep refined sugars which are hard on the immune system to a minimum, drink plenty of water, try to keep stress low by trying some relaxation techniques, and get enough minerals and vitamins (usually a multi-vitamin will be sufficient). She recommends herbs that support the immune system as well as anti-viral herbs such as goldenfield or St. John’s Wart if you are exposed to the virus. “The flu shot should protect against the three strains and it is used [to help prevent] the spread of the flu through the public,” she said. There are other options than the flu shot, and Gingrich said she would like people to make informed decisions. There are homeopathic flu remedies available that are “very safe,” Gingrich said. “Infants under six months, pregnant women in their third trimester and people who are allergic to chicken products and eggs can take them.” They are made up of diluted flu strains that are potenized. Homeopathy can be used to treat the flu once it enters the body although Gingrich said that the treatments are individualized and must go through a licensed practitioner before treatment can be done. “[These treatments] have been used for over 200 years and we can see how well they worked [by comparing] them to other practices used. It’s one alternative,” she said. Hollingworth said that he has seen fewer and fewer side effects from the flu shot in the past 20 years. “Twenty years ago, people were calling after getting the shot complaining of muscle ache land] joint pains but the number of phone calls have reduced remarkably. It’s a rather good vaccine to get.” The vaccine contains the preservative thimerasol which is very effective at preventing contamination and has been used since the 1930s according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP). However, thimerasol contains approximately 49 per cent ethylmercury. According to the health unit, mercury free doses are available for NOTICE TO MEMBERS There will be special business considered at this meeting: Notes: 2. Only members of Heartland, according to its records as of Oct. 23rd, 2005 (the “Record Date” according to Heartland’s by-laws), shall be entitled to notice of the meeting. 1. The special business to be considered at this meeting requires the approval of at least two-third' of the members of Heartland present at the Special Meeting in person, or, as permitted by the Act and by Heartland’s by-laws, represented at the Special Meeting by proxy, and voting. For Dinner Planning, Attendance Must be Confirmed in Advance Please Register By Contacting Your Branch or by calling Shelley Merner (519) 482 3409 ext. 231 by Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2005 Confirm your attendance today. Hope to see you there! October 24th, 2005 54th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Will Be Held At The Royal Canadian Legion Clinton, Ontario on Wednesday, November 23rd, 2005 Complimentary Dinner: 6 pm; Meeting Start Time: 7 pm the difference Special Door Prizes! Transportation Available Buses will be leaving from the Exeter and Listowel branch office parking lots at 5:00 p.m. Please call Kim Perrier at Exeter Branch 235-0640 or Mike Shepski at Listowel Branch 291-6189 by Friday, Nov. 18, 2005, to arrange. Corporate Secretary - Peter McFalls For the purpose of receiving reports and financial statements for the year ending September 30, 2005; electing directors and Credit Committee members; appointing audi­ tors; and the transacting of all other business of an Annual Meeting, as outlinea on the agenda for the meeting. 1. To consider and, if thought advisable, to pass, pursuant to section 309 of the Credit Unions and Caisses Populaires Act, 1994 (the “Act”), a special resolution approving the Heartland Community Credit Union Limited (“Heartland”) proposed amalgamation with Woodslee Credit Union Limited (“Woodslee”), and the carrying on of business thereafter with Woodslee as one amalgamated credit union pursuant to the terms and conditions of an amalgamation agreement between Heartland and Woodslee dated as of the 26th day of September, 2005. 2. To consider and, if thought appropriate, to confirm amendments to various sections of Heartland’s by-laws to replace its Credit Committee with a Loans Officer, and to clarify the date on which nominations for election to the Board of Directors must be received by Heartland. The proposed special resolutions are available in all branches of Heartland and at www.heartlandcommunitycu.com. Pursuant to section 7.07 of Heartland’s by-laws, no other business may be considered at this meeting. infants under three months who have a written note from a family doctor that states an allergic reaction to the preservative. In the U.S., manufacturers of preservative-free flu vaccine use thimerasol early in the manufacturing process. The thimerasol gets diluted as the vaccine goes through the steps in processing until the vaccine can be labeled 'preservative-free.' The only evidence of harm from preservatives in the vaccine is minor reactions like redness and swelling at the injection site according to the CDCP. Hollingworth said he does warn people that they may have some reaction to the flu shot such as redness or swelling around where the shot was given. The fear of catching the flu from the shot is not true.“You cannot get the flu from the flu shot,” he said. “The shot is not a live virus.” Hollingworth recommends that people get the shot as soon as it is available because it takes about six weeks to reach its peak level in the body. “Everybody [should get it], from six months up,” he said. “Il is quite safe in pregnant women.” The only people who should not get the shot, he advised are those allergic to chicken products or eggs as well as people who have a viral illness. “Your doctor will tell you to come back in two weeks when you are better and get the shig then,” he said. Hollingworth said that people should not be relying just on the shot but taking other precautions as well. “Stay al home if you have a fever," he said. “Most viruses spread through hands so washing your hands before eating or drinking [is recommended]. The influenza vaccine is free for the 2005/2006 season to individuals six months and older who live, work or attend school in Ontario, it will be available at doctor’s offices as well as clinics and public health units.