tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3362150186602010918.post9095135913493410607..comments2024-02-04T12:24:28.815-07:00Comments on Why Aren't You Studying?: The Flu ShotKarsten A. Loepelmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05444048964547117014noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3362150186602010918.post-20148942389856884392011-04-29T22:51:06.696-06:002011-04-29T22:51:06.696-06:00Couldn't resist adding this clip from Penn and...Couldn't resist adding <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfdZTZQvuCo" rel="nofollow">this clip</a> from Penn and Teller. Get it now?Karsten A. Loepelmannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05444048964547117014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3362150186602010918.post-81217941247785975912011-02-25T12:33:44.847-07:002011-02-25T12:33:44.847-07:00Don't worry about "scary side effects&quo...Don't worry about "scary side effects" of the flu shot, like the "poor cheerleader." No, she didn't pull a hoax, but she wasn't experiencing true side effects either--unless you count <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychogenic_disease" rel="nofollow">psychogenic disease</a> as a side effect (you shouldn't).<br /><br />Here's an update on her story from <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/2020/desiree-jennings-fake-muscle-disorder/story?id=11228285" rel="nofollow">ABC News</a>. Now you have one less thing to worry about!Karsten A. Loepelmannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05444048964547117014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3362150186602010918.post-82942378604002990262010-01-26T18:25:58.837-07:002010-01-26T18:25:58.837-07:00Exactly, make your breath so bad, no one dares com...Exactly, make your breath so bad, no one dares come near.<br /><br />In all seriousness though, I don't understand all this hype about H1N1. The symptoms look suspiciously a lot like normal flu, which, incidentally, kills more people. And yes, I know there are those who benefit from shots (most prominently the pharmaceutical companies) but the reason most need to get a shot is because their immune system is not up to par (bad nutrition/not enough exercise/etc). A healthier lifestyle will just as effectively maximize your odds of not getting sick.<br /><br />I am currently eagerly waiting to see which new shot-needing strain we'll have this year. I'm putting my money on K9 Flu.Anastasiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14295576691711467656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3362150186602010918.post-47486719488887596062009-11-20T10:10:11.067-07:002009-11-20T10:10:11.067-07:00@Anonymous: So maybe you can avoid catching a viru...@Anonymous: So maybe you can avoid catching a virus because people are avoiding you...?Karsten A. Loepelmannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05444048964547117014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3362150186602010918.post-24819923345980429892009-11-19T15:20:17.817-07:002009-11-19T15:20:17.817-07:00Only if you don't consider "abhorable bre...Only if you don't consider "abhorable breath" a crappy side effect...... I think I'd rather "risk" flu via vaccine.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3362150186602010918.post-9627404590574114822009-11-16T09:18:42.755-07:002009-11-16T09:18:42.755-07:00@Anastasia: Glad you asked--because of the researc...@Anastasia: Glad you asked--because of the research that's been done. For example, see some <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/FLU/PROFESSIONALS/VACCINATION/effectivenessqa.htm" rel="nofollow">research results</a> from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.<br /><br />Not to be pedantic or anything, but I do try to make the best possible decisions in my life, and for me that means going to the data.Karsten A. Loepelmannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05444048964547117014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3362150186602010918.post-66221460358025926632009-11-15T20:42:05.908-07:002009-11-15T20:42:05.908-07:00But how do you know that a shot will maximize your...But how do you know that a shot will maximize your odds of not getting sick?Anastasianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3362150186602010918.post-30887543040932254282009-11-15T18:50:20.439-07:002009-11-15T18:50:20.439-07:00@Anastasia: It's true that eating certain food...@Anastasia: It's true that eating certain foods can increase immune system functioning (I've heard that Dr Oz recommends sardines, papaya-carrot juice, miso soup, and elderberry juice, in addition to garlic).<br /><br />Still, I prefer to get a flu shot to maximize my odds of not getting sick.Karsten A. Loepelmannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05444048964547117014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3362150186602010918.post-75068723356857804572009-11-15T13:20:55.212-07:002009-11-15T13:20:55.212-07:00Flu shots increase the chance of getting the flu f...Flu shots increase the chance of getting the flu for some individuals. Just eat a bit of garlic and onion every night and you'll be as healthy as...well, as something healthy. Onions kill the flu virus and garlic strengthens the immune system. And the best part of all? No crappy side effects.Anastasianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3362150186602010918.post-35800516714722824882009-10-26T22:23:02.265-06:002009-10-26T22:23:02.265-06:00@Anonymous: you'll have to make the decision f...@Anonymous: you'll have to make the decision for yourself, but at least do so knowing the facts (it's easy to be swayed by an emotional video, but how <i>likely</i> are you to be affected like that unfortunate woman?).<br /><br />You should look at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_A/H1N1#Virulence" rel="nofollow">virulence</a> of H1N1, and balance that against the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Influenza_vaccine#Side_effects" rel="nofollow">typical side effects</a> and the insanely rare possible side effects, like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guillain%E2%80%93Barr%C3%A9_syndrome" rel="nofollow">Guillain–Barré syndrome</a>. If you're allergic to eggs, you should <i>not</i> get the flu shot (see this <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/public/vaccination_qa_pub.htm" rel="nofollow">CDC Q&A</a>).<br /><br />As for the games, yeah, I play computer games. And no, I don't think they're bad for you (I shake my head at the psychologists who claim they are). I even wrote a <a href="http://members.shaw.ca/kloepel/DarkForces/index.html" rel="nofollow">Star Wars: Dark Forces FAQ</a>.<br /><br />Also, I love <a href="http://mamedev.org/" rel="nofollow">MAME</a> and my <a href="http://stella.sourceforge.net/" rel="nofollow">Atari 2600 emulator</a>--old school, baby!<br /><br />These days, I don't have a lot of time to play games, and I find myself helping my daughter play her games. Lots of pink, lots of ponies, lots of princesses. Not a lot of guns, aliens, or blood.<br /><br />I am considering getting a console, maybe a Wii. Anyone got some advice...?Karsten A. Loepelmannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05444048964547117014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3362150186602010918.post-40044756237948875182009-10-26T19:43:20.376-06:002009-10-26T19:43:20.376-06:00I'm not sick (yet), but I'm not too sure a...I'm not sick (yet), but I'm not too sure about taking the shot considering some of the scary side effects some people have suffered.<br /><br />like this poor cheerleader<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpu51HP_FWM<br /><br />By the way, I couldn't help but notice your inclusion of video games in the previous lecture, mass effect and HL2. I was wondering if you were a game real gamer yourself? If so what kind of games are you into?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com