Many patients have been asking about the swine flu vaccine, and what to do if they get the flu. I would like to summarize my information as of 10-29-09, and give current recommendations for my patients.

The information that I have read so far is that although the flu is already prevalent in our area, so are many other non-flu viral illnesses that are often mistaken for flu. Many doctors are calling every upper respiratory illness H1N1, without doing any testing because the test is expensive and sometimes inaccurate.

The CDC reports that every year, around 36,000 Americans die of flu-related complications – usually respiratory in nature. Although some people have died of the H1N1 Swine Flu so far, most patients are recovering from it in 1- 2 days with only mild symptoms. In fact, this virus actually seems to be less virulent or potent than the usual yearly flu virus.

 If a person has a good immune system, and does not have a severe pre-existing lung disease – such as chronic unstable asthma, or chronic bronchitis or emphysema – then I feel that they probably don’t need the H1N1 vaccine. One study even showed that people who take the flu vaccine are twice as likely to get the flu! I recommend that every patient read the flu vaccine package insert before getting the vaccine.  Go to this FDA website for this information.  

The multi-dose vials of the vaccine do contain mercury. The single dose vials (much harder to find) don’t have mercury, but they all contain other adjuvents (additives) that are designed to stimulate the immune system. This can sometimes backfire, and cause autoimmune or neurologic consequences, such as Guillan-Barre syndrome – which is an ascending paralysis that frequently requires hospitalization and ventilator use. Of course, Autism Spectrum Disorders are another possible consequence, in my opinion, as are other autoimmune disorders such as Lupus.

If a patient gets the flu naturally, they will develop life-long immunity, without the extra toxins found in the vaccine. This is why people over 60 who are essentially healthy don’t need the vaccine – because they were already exposed to a similar virus many years ago.

The best way to prevent the flu is to wash your hands frequently, and to take supplements that boost your immune system. I recommend high doses of Vitamin D – enough to get your blood level of 25-OH D to 70-100. This may require 2000-5000 iu’s per day for children, and 10,000 – 15,000 iu’s per day for adults. A good way to quickly raise your blood level of Vitamin D is to get a subcutaneous shot of high dose D (call the office if you need one of those). Natural Vitamin A and Vitamin C are also good to take. In addition, immune boosters such as Epicor, Immunomax, and Immpower, are all excellent ways to enhance your NK cell activity. NK cells kill viruses. I personally rotate these 3 supplements daily during the flu season, in addition to the high dose Vitamin D.

If you feel that you are coming down with symptoms of the flu (fever, cough, muscle aches, chills, fatigue, headache), then you can take Tamiflu within the first 24 hours and it will shorten the course of the illness. Also, Elderberry extract is good at binding to the virus and inactivating it. I recommend not taking Tylenol (Acetaminophen) or Motrin (Ibuprofen) products unless the patient has a high fever (over 103-104) because there is new evidence that these products reduce the body’s ability to fight infection.

To summarize, every person has to make their own decision about whether or not to take the flu vaccine, but it needs to be an informed decision based on clear knowledge of the risks and benefits of taking the vaccine. In my opinion, there is a lot of hype about this year’s flu that is unnecessarily scaring people. I always tell patients that there are risks in vaccinating, and there are risks in NOT vaccinating. I will not be taking the flu vaccine, nor will anyone else in my family, but if you are in a high-risk group (again, weak immune system and/or lung disease), then you might consider it.

To your health –

Dr Mielke