T:
Is anyone thinking about getting the H1N1 vaccine? I've done some research on it and know the government would like all us pregnant women to get it this fall, but I don't think I'm willing to be a governmental guinea pig for an untested new vaccine... Thoughts?
My husband is being treated for H1N1 right now. It has been a trying week. He has been very sick and isolated in the bedroom. The CDC is strongly recommending that all pregnant women get the vaccine, not to use you as a guinea pig, but bc the effects of the treatment for H1N1, a drug called Tamiflu (which will not protect you but decrease the severity), is totally unknown in pregnacy. My OB prescribed me Tamiflu prophylactically and we have decided since I am not sick, I am not taking it. We accept the responsibilty of that decision and have been as diligent as possible to keep him isolated.
The concern with H1N1 and pregnancy is a longer duration of illness and an increased severity of symptoms. The cases of hospitalization are higher than average in children, young adults and pregnant women than any other influenza pandemic yet.
All of the same healthy living techniques will work against this, eating right, washing hands frequently, getting enough sleep etc...the concern is the number of people that are sick that are not being responsible enough to stay home from school or work, especially in the first 24 hours because it doesn't feel flu like to them.
I am considering the vaccine this fall and will do more research about it, but I know that the emotion and stress this week and wondering if I will wake up sick each morning has been more than I can handle for the next 14 weeks.
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