Experts: Don't try 'pox party' for swine flu
 

Experts: Don't try 'pox party' for swine flu


By MALCOLM RITTER, AP Science Writer Malcolm Ritter, Ap Science Writer � Wed May 6, 4:52 pm ETNEW YORK � It seems logical: Why not try to get sick with swine flu now, and get some immunity in case it comes roaring back this fall in a deadlier form? Sort of like those "pox parties" to get your kids exposed to a childhood disease.

Bad idea, flu experts say. It's too risky.

It's true that once your body has encountered a particular virus strain, it is generally better able to fight it off later on. Vaccines work by masquerading as germs, priming the immune system to attack particular bugs.

The current swine flu appears no deadlier than ordinary flu, but scientists worry that it could return in a more lethal form during the regular flu season in fall and winter. That's what happened in the deadly pandemic of 1918, and there's evidence that people who got sick earlier that year had protection when the lethal wave came.

So wouldn't it be a good idea to get sick now?

"I understand the logic (but it) leads you astray," said Dr. William Schaffner, a flu expert at Vanderbilt University.

He said there's no way to predict how bad a case of flu will be in a particular person. Given the risk of life-threatening complications, "this is not something where you want to do a biological experiment," he said.

"You can't control the infection that you're going to get, and you may be the one, or your child may be the one, that gets a severe infection."

What's more, a person who decides to get sick can accidentally pass it along to other, more vulnerable people, even before any symptoms show up, he said.

Dr. Robert Atmar, a flu researcher at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, agreed. He said he would "strongly recommend against" purposely trying to catch the new flu.

For one thing, it's not yet clear that swine flu will return in deadlier form this fall. "Why roll the dice when you may not need to?" he asked.

He also said flu medicines should be available to ease symptoms of patients during the winter flu season, and that scientists hope a vaccine will be ready by then.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090506/...king_swine_flu

DH actually thought this might work too. Glad to see it debunked as I'd rather not risk it....

Re: Experts: Don't try 'pox party' for swine flu
 

It still sounds like a good idea to me.

Re: Experts: Don't try 'pox party' for swine flu
 

For who? You alone, your family or what? Though if you alone did it, I suspect in short order your family would have it as well.

I also wonder, what if you're exposed to it, but don't come down w/ the swine flu?

Re: Experts: Don't try 'pox party' for swine flu
 

Well I live alone, the GF has her own house, so I could stay around my house for a week and not infect anyone who didn't want to get infected. Quarantine myself off and see how good my preps are. I would be nice to not be at work for a while. Personally I just see it as an effective vaccine with no mercury or other crap.

The other factor is that I'd like to not be sick when it gets to the point where everyone else is sick. Even if it doesn't become worse, I'd rather deal with it now than later. I see it as a chance to help family and friends out, and as an opportunity in other areas.

And if you go to a flu party and don't get it.. then what have you lost? With luck, you won't get it next time either.

Re: Experts: Don't try 'pox party' for swine flu
 

I'm with Ash.....if the "experts" are against it, then IT'S PROBABLY A GOOD IDEA!!!

Re: Experts: Don't try 'pox party' for swine flu
 

Truly, a terrible idea. Take this vaccine instead.......

Re: Experts: Don't try 'pox party' for swine flu
 

This sounds like a great idea. About as great an idea as having a gang bang with an aids infested hooker.


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Re: Experts: Don't try 'pox party' for swine flu
 

You're just jealous that we didn't invite you.

Re: Experts: Don't try 'pox party' for swine flu
 

If this stuff mutates at all then you would have gotten sick for no reason.

Re: Experts: Don't try 'pox party' for swine flu
 

I think your body would still have immunity even if it mutates.

Re: Experts: Don't try 'pox party' for swine flu
 

DING!!! DING!!! DING!!! DING!!! DING!!! DING!!! DING!!! DING!!DING!!! DING!!!

And that is IF you survive the encounter.

Bottom Line: Pre empetion is failure as Mother Nature will not be thwarted......and it dam sure wont be with help OF THE BIG BAD GUBBERMINT


T

Re: Experts: Don't try 'pox party' for swine flu
 

Exactly... Why go out of your way to become sick? I would rather let my body become immune to a strain that can reach ME, without having to consciously intervene.

Re: Experts: Don't try 'pox party' for swine flu
 

Perhaps you should also expose yourself to Marburg, in case an airborne strain of Ebola develops.

Re: Experts: Don't try 'pox party' for swine flu
 

Your body would now have some experience with similar type of virus.

If you take two people who have never played hockey before, but one has done figure skating and boxing while the other has only played basketball and baseball, the first one has an advantage.

Re: Experts: Don't try 'pox party' for swine flu
 

Not if the second guy can throw the ball really, really hard.

Re: Experts: Don't try 'pox party' for swine flu
 

I would rather take a person who has played hockey before.

Re: Experts: Don't try 'pox party' for swine flu
 

Beats the flu shot, which almost always kills more.