In a message dated 10/3/98 10:00:27 AM Central Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
<<
Pneumivax (for strep pneumonia, a condition which is hard on folks with
a chronic disease) and Tetanus (which is required at least every 10 years
or, if circumstances require, then earlier).
How does the PWP respond to these "chemicals"?
To do the shot thing or not is the question and of course, going along
with that, the WHY please!
THANKS TO ALL!! >>
These chemicals:
Are antigens -- parts of the germ, against which they protect. They are
specially processed to gain an immune response.
Your system sees it, recognizes it as foreign, and prepares weapons and
"blueprints" of what works to fight it off. That process takes the same two
weeks as the disease itself would take to get the immune system going . After
one exposure to a given bug, the next time you r system sees it the response
is swift and massive. You win. If not vaccinated, the problem becomes to
stay alive until the vaccine effect kicks in. Unfortunately, very few
vaccinations produce a lifelong immunity to their disease. Boosters are
required.
Why?:
Nothing in having PD protects one from tetanus ("lockjaw ") or pneumococcal
pneumonia. We are more susceptible. Tetanus is a very painful and pretty
silly thing to die from these days although it still can be done. A small
needle every ten years, or more often if you step on a nail, etc, is a pretty
small price to pay for avoiding it.
. Any breathing problem (especially pneumonia)is pretty scary. The pneumovax
is also a good idea.
Also, once again, "Flu shots are good for me."
Regards,
WHH
