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Friday 20 April 2012

Benefits of Vaccination


In the USA, the new rotavirus vaccine is protecting those who have had the vaccine - and many who have not been vaccinated. Rotavirus causes severe gastroenteritis and the vaccine was introduced for babies in the USA in 2006.
There has been dramatic reduction in hospital admissions for gastroenteritis in the age group that were vaccinated.
Groups that were too old to have been vaccinated - older children, adults and even elderly adults also showed a marked reduction in admissions for rotavirus.
This is a demonstration of "herd immunity" in action. The fewer people there are in the community who are susceptible to a virus, the less the virus gets passed around. And if you've ever had anything to do with a sick baby or child, you will know how good they are at sharing their infected body fluids with the whole family.
Rotavirus is a major killer of young children in poor countries, so if this vaccine could be used in such places it could have a significant impact.
It is licenced in the UK but is not on the NHS routine vaccination list. Maybe it should be.

Saturday 14 April 2012

Food poisoning


I am slowed down by a mild attack of food poisoning. Night before last, slowly mounting nausea drove me from bed to bathroom. Vomited just the once. It was a vivid reminder of the ferocity of gastric hydrochloric acid. I have no doubt it killed the bacteria - but the toxins they emitted are lingering on, along with the immune reaction they provoked. 
Had to struggle through the day yesterday and slept with deep unconsciousness from 8pm 'til 6.30. It's noon on day 2 now and my appetite is still poor and energy levels low. Those bacterial toxins have triggered a tidal wave of immune proteins that have found their way to my brain and are issuing orders. Rest! Eat lightly! Conserve your energy while we deal with the toxins in your body! I am hoping that my immune system will soon complete its job and allow me to return to normal. All I can do is wait.