To vaccinate, or not to vaccinate?

1456 Words3 Pages

Currently, one cannot explore the news without coming across the topic of the swine flu, scientifically known as H1N1. Swine flu is a respiratory infection derived from the influenza virus. The virus contains genetic materials from human, swine, and avian flu viruses. It was first identified in spring 2009, and since then has spread rapidly across the globe. The infection’s spread has been verified as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. As soon as the swine flu virus was isolated, scientists quickly developed a swine flu vaccine. Four vaccines have been approved by the FDA for the prevention of the swine flu. The vaccines will be ready for distribution in October 2009. Now the question is: To vaccinate, or not to vaccinate? Millions of people are now preparing to answer this question. In order to decide whether or not the swine flu vaccine is completely necessary, one must first gain a better understanding of the topic. It is a scientifically known fact that the swine flu is a result of a virus. A virus is a capsule of genetic material that causes infection in the body. The infectious particles are made up of nucleic acid enclosed in a protein shell, called a capsid. It cannot be considered a living organism like the disease causing agent of bacteria, because it does not carry out all the characteristics of life. Specifically, it cannot reproduce on its own. Viruses can be transmitted in many ways. Being in contact with an infected person will most likely transfer the virus. One can also obtain the virus through swallowing, inhaling, and unsafe sex. Poor hygiene and eating habits usually increase the risk of catching a viral infection. Contracting a viral infection is followed by adverse s... ... middle of paper ... ...e flu are very similar to those of the regular flu. However concern arises, because the possibility of the virus creating greater complications is likely. To prevent one from contracting the swine flu, he or she should get vaccinated. The main difference between the regular flu vaccine and the H1N1 flu vaccine is the components of which these vaccines are composed of. One should make the decision to get the swine flu vaccine based on one’s age and current medical condition. It is highly recommended that children and people to the age of twenty-four years-old receive the swine flu vaccine, because they have weaker immunity levels. It is best to ask a doctor which decision is preferred. The goal of health professionals is to eliminate the H1N1 virus as a global health threat, and to allow it to become a mere virus that can be prevented by proper vaccinations.

Show More
Related

  • Influenza Virus' Economic and Social Disruption to Society

    837 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Influenza virus is a unique respiratory viral disease that can have serious economic and social disruption to society. The virus is airborne transmitted through droplets release by coughing or sneezing from an infected person or by touching infected surfaces. Symptoms range from mild to severe and may even result in death. People with the virus usually experience fever, headache, shivering, muscle pain and cough, which can lead to more severe respiratory illness such as pneumonia. People most susceptible to the flu virus are elderly individuals and young children as well as anyone whose health or immune system has been compromise. The most effective way to counteract the influenza virus is to get the flu vaccine which is available by shots or nasal spray before the flu season as well as practicing safe hygiene. (CDC, 2013)

    Read More

  • The Flu Shot Should Not Be Mandatory

    1095 Words  | 3 Pages

    Although people should have the freedom to choose to be vaccinated, the public needs to be educated about the personal, economical, and social benefits of receiving the influenza vaccine. In addition, people who are at a high risk of contracting influenza as well as health care providers should be encouraged to receive an influenza vaccine in order to decrease the major health burden associated with the disease. Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a viral infection of the respiratory system and it is characterized by abrupt onset of fever, sore throat, and nonproductive cough. Influenza is spread from person to person by inhalation of the droplets produced when a person infected with influenza coughs or sneezes. In addition, it can also be spread by contact with infected objects such as utensils.

    Read More

  • National Influenza Immunization Program - The Swine Flu of 1976

    4052 Words  | 9 Pages

    While influenza, or the "flu", is not commonly recognized as an extremely lethal disease, the pathology of influenza, and especially of the kind found at Fort Dix, does suggest that an immunization program was a reasonable course to take in 1976. In the public's mind, influenza is often not seen as a specific disease, using interchangeable names for it like "flu", "gripe", and "virus". (Silverstein: 1) However, influenza is very different from an everyday low fever or "stomach flu". It is a respiratory infection, connected with a fever, coughing, and muscle aches, which often la...

    Read More

  • Avian Influenza and Its Expected Ramifications

    2754 Words  | 6 Pages

    It is necessary in order to understand Avian Flu's impacts on society to first understand what H5N1 influenza is. Like any virus, influenza viruses cannot reproduce on their own the way bacteria can. Technically, viruses aren’t even alive because in order for them to reproduce, they must take over the living cell of another organism. This makes all viral diseases notoriously hard to cure because modern research has yet to reveal a medication or procedure that can kill a virus without killing its host. The best medications that we currently have available to treat viruses can only prevent the virus fro...

    Read More

  • Hepatitis A Essay

    820 Words  | 2 Pages

    Other ways hepatitis A can be transmitted from person to person are through direct contact with an infected person, such as sexual contact, and sharing of needles for intravenous drug use. Hepatitis A can also be transmitted by coming in contact with contaminated food or water. Also, foods that are uncooked or undercooked and have been contaminated with Hepatitis A can transmit the virus. Bennett, A. J.,2016; World Health Organization, 2017) Hepatitis A can affect a person of any age group.

    Read More

  • Influenza Vaccination Essay

    755 Words  | 2 Pages

    Influenza is a major public health problem which outbreaks all over the world. Resulting in considerable sickness and death rates. Furthermore, it is a highly infectious airborne disease and is caused by the influenza virus. Influenza is transmitted easily from one person to another person which has a great impact on society. When a member of society becomes sick, it is more prone to spread to other people. In the United States, every year between 5 to 20 percent of the population is affected by influenza. As a result of this, between 3,000 and 49,000 deaths have occurred per year (Biggerstaff et al., 2014). Therefore, the influenza vaccine is the most effective strategy to prevent influenza. This essay will examine two significant reasons for influenza vaccination which are the loss of workforce and economic burden as well as one effect regarding herd immunity.

    Read More

  • Influenza Vaccination Should be Mandatory

    892 Words  | 2 Pages

    Influenza is very contagious and spreads rapidly from person to person. Influenza causes worldwide yearly epidemics. According to World Health organization Influenza affects 5-15% world’s population and resulting in 500,000 deaths yearly. Ottenberg stated that, in United States, an average of 200,000 were hospitalized and 36,000 died each year from influenza complications. Influenza is the sixth leading cause of death among US adults and is related to 1 in 20 death in persons older than 65 years. Disease control and prevention estimates indicate that infections like H1N1 which is one of the types of influenza, have resulted in an estimated 42 to 86 million cases and 8520 to 17620 deaths. As I mentioned earlier that infections like influenza are very contagious, they can spread easily from hcw to Patient and back to hcw. The most efficient and effective method of preventing influenza infection is vaccination(The best way to prevent influenza is with annual vaccination).(Sullivan,2010) (Gregory,Tosh &Jacobson, 2005). Motivated by a desire to actively avoid illness Influenza may increase the risk for death in people with existing heart, lung, or circulation disorders. In fact, the higher than average number of winter deaths in people with heart disease may be due only to the occurrence of influenza during those months.Vaccination provides immunity to fight against infection.To increase resistance to harm by modifying the environment to minimize preventable illness (NEED TO CHANGE WORDING)

    Read More

  • Mandatory Flu Vaccination Case Study

    835 Words  | 2 Pages

    Gardam and Lemieux (2013) state that the effectiveness of the current influenza vaccine has been exaggerated in the medical literature and media. The seasonal flu shot protects against the three or four influenza viruses that researchers indicate will be most common during the upcoming season (CDC, p.1, 2015). The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 2013’s vaccine was “only 55% effective against laboratory-confirmed influenza A and 70% effective against influenza B” (Gardam & Lemieux, 2013). Health care providers receiving the flu vaccination does not guarantee that patients may not be affected by different strains. Additionally HCP are not the only individuals who may expose patients to these pathogens, visiting family, and community members can also play a

    Read More

  • Influenza Vaccines Essay

    1150 Words  | 3 Pages

    Vaccines save us from being infected with viruses. They save approximately 2.5 million people from death every year. However, while they help save lives, vaccines still have both minor and severe side effects. This can result in nausea, severe sickness, and in rare cases, death. Every year, 3,000 to 4,500 people in the United States are hospitalized due to vaccine side effects. It is extremely important for all communities to be informed about the side effects of vaccines and what causes them. Also, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that the influenza vaccine is only 48% effective, due to constant mutation of the virus (Scutti, 2017). This means, the influenza vaccine does not work on all

    Read More

  • Flu Vaccine Pros And Cons

    1131 Words  | 3 Pages

    The influenza vaccine, also known as flu shot, is an annual vaccination using a vaccine that is specific for a given year to protect against the highly variable influenza virus. Each seasonal influenza vaccine contains antigens representing three or four influenza virus strains: one influenza type A subtype H1N1 virus strain, one influenza type A subtype H3N2 virus strain, and either one or two influenza type B virus strains. Influenza vaccines may be administered as an injection or as a nasal spray.

    Read More

  • 1976 Swine Flu Outbreak

    763 Words  | 2 Pages

    Just like its namesake, Swine Influenza indeed was first discovered as a respiratory illness in pigs caused by influenza A (CDC.gov, 2016). However, variance in one or more genes in the virus, caused the mutation A/New Jersey/76, increasing the zoonotic effects of the virus (CDC.gov, 2016). The potential for humans to become infected now exist briefly perplexing immunologist and epidemiologist in its early stages. Transmission was linked to close respiratory contact with infected swine and or inhaling dust or hay infected with droplets of the

    Read More

  • Influenza Persuasive Speech

    391 Words  | 1 Pages

    Every year about 10 to 20 per cent of the population worldwide will be knocked flat by the flu virus. Should you get an annual flu jab and lower your chances? Dr Ian Barr, from the WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza, breaks down the risks and benefits.

    Read More

  • Disease Investigation And Source Analysis: Swine Flu

    653 Words  | 2 Pages

    Swine Flu is an interesting disease to research as it sounds like it could be a serious life threatening pandemic. There was an outbreak in 2008 and I remember it being on TV. Swine Flu also known as H1N1 was known as a pandemic in 2008. A pandemic is a wide spread outbreak of an infectious disease. Swine Flu is a highly contagious respiratory disease, it can be transferred from human contact, droplets from a cough or sneeze and from surfaces that have come into contact with infected droplets i.e. tables, phones, handrails, tissues etc., the disease can live for about 2 hours outside

    Read More

  • Flu Vaccination Argumentative Essay

    945 Words  | 2 Pages

    Parents need to know the benefits of vaccinations before deciding on if vaccinations are for them. One of the benefits of the “flu vaccinations can reduce the risk of flu-associated hospitalization, including among children and older results (Use Vaccine Effectiveness).” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC, “flu vaccinations is an important is an important preventative tool for people with chronic health conditions.” The CDC also said, “flu vaccination has been associated with lower rates of some cardiac (heart)

    Read More

  • Influenza A H1N1 Virus

    1808 Words  | 4 Pages

    According to the Swine flu investigation team on April 15 and April 17, 2009, novel swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus (S-OIV) was isolated from two epidemiologically unlinked patients in the United States. The same strain was identified in other countries such as Mexico and Canada. In the United States 60% of patients were 18 years of age or younger suggesting that the younger population was more susceptible to the transmission of S-OIV or the possibility that the older population had developed a small amount of antibodies from the 1976 swine influenza vaccine (H1N1). 18% of the patients had recently traveled to Mexico, and 16% were identified from school outbreaks. (France, Jackson & Schrag, 2010) The most common presenting symptoms were fever (94% of patients), cough (92%), and sore throat (66%); 25% of patients had diarrhea, and 25% were experiencing emesis. Therefore, the criteria characterizing the S-OIV infection are comparable to the ...

    Read More

More about To vaccinate, or not to vaccinate?

Open Document