“The Flu Shot Made Me Sick!”

Why are so many people getting the flu shot and then getting sick from it?

• Is it psychological?
• Are the folks crazy? Or
• Are there potential side effects and complications to the shot?

Can flu shots actually make us ill? Check this list of some of the ingredients in the injection:

• Ethylene glycol (antifreeze)
• Phenol (otherwise known as carbolic acid) – A disinfectant and a dye
• Formaldehyde, a known carcinogen (cancer-causing agent)
• Aluminum – has been associated with Alzheimer’s disease and seizures, and has produced cancer in laboratory mice, but is still being used as an additive to promote antibody response
• Thimerosal – a mercury disinfectant and preservative that can result in brain injury and autoimmune disease
• Neomycin and Streptomycin – used as antibiotics and have been known to cause allergic reactions in some people

Judging by the list, it’s no wonder many healthcare workers, knowledgeable about the contents of the vaccine are not getting vaccinated.

So, what are the potential side effects of the flu shot?

• Allergic reaction
• Breathing problems
• Hoarseness or wheezing
• Hives
• Paleness
• Weakness
• Fast heartbeat
• Dizziness
• Muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis
• Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS)

All drugs have side effects. We must constantly weigh the potential dangers against the benefits of any procedure. While these injections are being administered casually in settings like supermarkets etc., we must decide for ourselves whether it’s worth the risk?

RESOURCES

• Woloshin S, et al. “A Shot of Fear.” Washington Post, Oct. 25, 2005.
• Jackson ML, et al. Influenza vaccination and risk of community-acquired pneumonia in immunocompetent elderly people: a population-based, nested case-control study. The Lancet, Aug. 2, 2008
• Seasonal Flu Shot: Q & A. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/09/26/flu-vaccine-exposed.aspx
• American Academy of Pediatrics. Preventing the Flu in 2007-08

Dr. Visentin, D.C.
Care Chiropractic
Denver Chiropractor
Denver, Colorado