Could you "inoculate" yourself against the flu?

[Question]

Since flu shots consist of injections of dead flu viruses, and there's such a shortage this year, is there a way that you could get the same effect on your own?

For instance, say you know someone with the flu. You shut them in a room for a few hours, allowing for millions of the little bugs to get airborne. Remove the person and wait a bit (a few hours? How long does it take for flu viruses to die in the air anyway?). Then you enter the room and inhale as much as you can. Would this be sufficient for your body to produce the proper antibodies? How about making nose drops out of the sick persons dried um, mucus? (I know, ewww, but hey, this is medical research I'm talking about here).

Just a dumb thought I had. I am doing a Marathon in two months and can't really afford a two-week downtime from the flu. I'm especially concerned about getting it on the plane three days before the event.

you should hang around every diseased person you can. evolution in action.

 

[Badger]

from Dolisos:
"Flu remedy, Influenzinum, homeopathic medicine formulated to treat exposure to influenza viruses 2004-2005 season. Dolisos is the only homeopathic company that updates Influenzinum each year based on the flu strains by the World Health Organization. Stimulates the body's own defense system to resist the onset of the season's flu strains. Shown year after year to be highly effective to treat flu symptoms, treat lingering flu symptoms and better yet to prevent the flu. Safe and natural, this helps your immune system, not depress it as other methods to prevent the flu. Use for all family members over 2. Avoid the dangers of the flu shot. Unlike vaccine, there are no contradictions to prevent safe use of Influenzinum. This remedy is very effective to prevent the flu; for treating flu symptoms; and for treating lingering symptoms if you have never fully recovered from flu. Avoid sore throat, flu, chills and fever. Our customers have found this remedy effective at preventing and stopping flu symptoms after exposure to others with the flu. Protect your bloodstream from harmful vaccines. Homeopathy is safe and works!
The 2004-2005 flu strains as determined by the World Health Organization for the northern hemisphere. These flu strains are prepared by manufacturing practices found in the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the U.S. as safe and effective nosode.
Research and studies have shown the effectiveness of Influenzinum, with 97% of the cases experiencing no side effects, 3% experienced nasal discharge with taking the remedy in the prevention protocol. 98% of the subjects were interested in repeating the prevention protocol the following year. Following 10 years of preventive use, the manufacturer reports 90% effectiveness in preventing the flu. Isn't is worth trying for your family? Also see Thymulin for additional immune support.
Contains 75 pellets. General dosage: 3 pellets a week as a preventative. 3 pellets 3 times a day for treating flu symptoms.


Youare absolutely correct in that it is isopathy. During epidemics isopathy is fairly common in use among homeopaths.
"

Yes, that's all fine and dandy, but as Zombified asked, "What is this, precicely?" Please note, I am not asking for a sales speech. I am asking for an ingredients list, and recipie if possible.

 

[Zep]

from Dolisos:
"Flu remedy, Influenzinum, homeopathic medicine formulated to treat exposure to influenza viruses 2004-2005 season. Dolisos is the only homeopathic company that updates Influenzinum each year based on the flu strains by the World Health Organization. Stimulates the body's own defense system to resist the onset of the season's flu strains. Shown year after year to be highly effective to treat flu symptoms, treat lingering flu symptoms and better yet to prevent the flu. Safe and natural, this helps your immune system, not depress it as other methods to prevent the flu. Use for all family members over 2. Avoid the dangers of the flu shot. Unlike vaccine, there are no contradictions to prevent safe use of Influenzinum. This remedy is very effective to prevent the flu; for treating flu symptoms; and for treating lingering symptoms if you have never fully recovered from flu. Avoid sore throat, flu, chills and fever. Our customers have found this remedy effective at preventing and stopping flu symptoms after exposure to others with the flu. Protect your bloodstream from harmful vaccines. Homeopathy is safe and works!
The 2004-2005 flu strains as determined by the World Health Organization for the northern hemisphere. These flu strains are prepared by manufacturing practices found in the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the U.S. as safe and effective nosode.
Research and studies have shown the effectiveness of Influenzinum, with 97% of the cases experiencing no side effects, 3% experienced nasal discharge with taking the remedy in the prevention protocol. 98% of the subjects were interested in repeating the prevention protocol the following year. Following 10 years of preventive use, the manufacturer reports 90% effectiveness in preventing the flu. Isn't is worth trying for your family? Also see Thymulin for additional immune support.
Contains 75 pellets. General dosage: 3 pellets a week as a preventative. 3 pellets 3 times a day for treating flu symptoms.


Youare absolutely correct in that it is isopathy. During epidemics isopathy is fairly common in use among homeopaths.
"

Dumb questions: What is it made from? How dilute is it when given?

 

[DangerousBeliefs]

I once made out with a hot chick who was sick with a bad cold. I never got what ever she had, which was amazing because we did about everything nasty possible that a romantic couple can do.

A hot chick?

Wink Wink, nudge nudge.

 

[Zombified]

Following 10 years of preventive use, the manufacturer reports 90% effectiveness in preventing the flu.

Hmm... I wonder what percentage of non-inoculated people get the flu per year, aggregated over the whole country and over 10 years.

Youare absolutely correct in that it is isopathy. During epidemics isopathy is fairly common in use among homeopaths.

Help me out... because I'd been given to understand that isopathy was a bad thing to homeopaths. When is isopathy indicated and when isn't it?

 

[Barbrae]

No no - isopathy is not a bad thing to homeopaths - we just get cranky when it is used to refer to homeopathy. We occassionaly use isopathy in epidemics, or for cases with strong etiology of never well since (disease name here).

 

[Question]

No no - isopathy is not a bad thing to homeopaths - we just get cranky when it is used to refer to homeopathy. We occassionaly use isopathy in epidemics, or for cases with strong etiology of never well since (disease name here).

That was not the question. The QUESTION was, what is homeopathy, and will it get me laid? And if not, what good is it?

 

[Badger]

No no - isopathy is not a bad thing to homeopaths - we just get cranky when it is used to refer to homeopathy. We occassionaly use isopathy in epidemics, or for cases with strong etiology of never well since (disease name here).

That's it? That's all? No answer for Zep, Zombified, or myself?

I can't say I'm surprised.

 

[Suezoled]

No no - isopathy is not a bad thing to homeopaths - we just get cranky when it is used to refer to homeopathy. We occassionaly use isopathy in epidemics, or for cases with strong etiology of never well since (disease name here).

Same person who insists on using "allopathy" to describe mainstream meds.

 

[Question]

Same person who insists on using "allopathy" to describe mainstream meds.

Can allopathy get me laid? No one is answering the important questions!

 

[Badger]

Can allopathy get me laid? No one is answering the important questions!

"Can"? In terms of "There is an almost negligible probability that Question will get some but there still exists this possibility.", yes it can.

I'd rely on a sick hoopty, and a lot of bling bling instead. Or go after the closing time Cougars.

 

[Suezoled]

Protect your bloodstream from harmful vaccines. Homeopathy is safe and works!

Now that's what I call an invitation that should be testable a lab setting.

 

[American]

Planted rice? Cleaned a Portaloo? Watched Jay Leno?

More romantic than that! Oh man she was a hot hot babe.

 

[Eos of the Eons]

Sighs. Some lady goes on this radio quiz show this morning, and lost, ha ha. The radio had been discussing the flu vaccine right beforehand, and as small talk asked the lady if she was getting one.

She says no, cause everybody who gets the flu shot is sick for a week afterward.

Go figure, the "World of Women" show was held the weekend before, and it was full of woo booths spouting this kind of anti-vaccine nonsense.

The radio guys kinda laughed and said "maybe she's onto something here".

Ugh. Like they need any more encouragement.

I'm assuming the flu vaccine is an attenuated virus. If it made people sick for a week, then it hardly would have been allowed to be used as a vaccine. But that doesn't stop liars from spouting nonsense.

The vaccine ACTUALLY does cause the immune system to react and cause you to be immune to the more harmful "natural" version. They work, unlike magic water. The magic water pushers like to claim it is the same as a vaccine, but of course it's not even remotely close.

Yes, the usual lies about it being effective and "safer" than vaccines. As usual there is no proof and any testing results in showing how ineffective magic water is.

Blah blah, neverending circle of lies, and my resulting eye rolling.


http://www.acsh.org/healthissues/newsID.632/healthissue_detail.asp

* In a meta-analytic study published in January 2000, it was found that a homeopathic preparation for preventing colds and the flu was ineffective.

Big surprise (not).

 

[TeaBag420]

I once made out with a hot chick who was sick with a bad cold. I never got what ever she had, which was amazing because we did about everything nasty possible that a romantic couple can do.

It's not amazing at all. Either you simply didn't get infected, or you had already had the one of about one hundred twenty-five known cold viruses which she had, and thus were immune to it. Was this at band camp, by any chance? In any case I imagine you have "dined out" on this story more than once. Wrap that rascal.

 

[Capsid]

Originally posted by Eos
I'm assuming the flu vaccine is an attenuated virus

The flu vaccines are inactivated except for Flumist which is an attenuated form given intranasally. So it's impossible for you to get flu from the these vaccines. It's a coincidence that people feel unwell, probably a cold and of course the rhinovirus is quite prevalent during this time of year when the vaccines are available.

I've had the inactivated vaccine (made by GSK) and my son of 9 years, both my parents and in-laws have had it, in all cases it was entirely uneventful with no after effects.

 

[Rolfe]

Our customers have found this remedy effective at preventing and stopping flu symptoms after exposure to others with the flu. Protect your bloodstream from harmful vaccines. Homeopathy is safe and works!
....
Research and studies have shown the effectiveness of Influenzinum, with 97% of the cases experiencing no side effects, 3% experienced nasal discharge with taking the remedy in the prevention protocol. 98% of the subjects were interested in repeating the prevention protocol the following year. Following 10 years of preventive use, the manufacturer reports 90% effectiveness in preventing the flu.

OK, Barb, you know the routine. Talk is cheap. Paper takes on anything, as my biochemistry professor used to tell me.

Where is the evidence for a single syllable of this stuff?

(Oh, and note that we're back on the "vaccines are evil" bandwagon, what a surprise.)

Rolfe.

 

[Eos of the Eons]

The flu vaccines are inactivated except for Flumist which is an attenuated form given intranasally. So it's impossible for you to get flu from the these vaccines...

Thank you Capsid. This makes the "you'll get sick for a week if you get the vaccine" is even more idiotic sounding. I just can't stand it!!

 

[Rolfe]

Thank you Capsid. This makes the "you'll get sick for a week if you get the vaccine" is even more idiotic sounding. I just can't stand it!!

Huh. Last year my Mum got the new meningitis vaccine offered to the elderly. She felt perfectly normal afterwards. She asked me, all worried, if maybe the vaccine hadn't taken, as she hadn't had any reaction! I think I laughed long enough to reassure her.

To be fair, my cousin who has ME did have a bad reaction to the vaccine, which was expected under the circumstances, but she and her doctor had decided this was better than risking the disease. And the up side was that when she recovered from the vaccine reaction, she felt a lot better than she had before the vaccination. She diffidently asked her doctor if it was possible the vaccine might have had a beneficial effect on the ME symptoms. He said well, maybe, there have been a couple of publications about that in Japan, and I did wonder if you might, but who knows, it could just be coincidence.

1. Can anyone see an alt-meddler turning down the chance to take the credit like that?
2. Can anyone see the anti-vaxers publicising this suspected vaccine side-effect?[/list=1]Not any time soon!
   
   Rolfe.

 

[Benguin]

Can I speculate wildly that being ill with a cold or headache or whatever after going for a vaccxine is far more likely to be down to picking up some bug in the surgery from one of the spluttering unfortunates you share a waiting room with?

It's rare I actually believe that people who say they have the flu actually have it. There are many out their prone to describe a running nose or sore throat as a 'spot of the flu' and a decent cold as pleuresy.

Self diagnoses really hit the anecdotes in these areas. My grandmother could be seriously ill with double pneumonia and still soldier on claiming she is 'just a bit under the weather'. Probably.