Posted on

From the White House: No Flu Shot for Sasha and Malia

President Barack Obama this past weekend declared the swine flu outbreak a National Emergency, to cope with any surge of patients, the White House says. The declaration Saturday increased concerns, and panicky reactions, to a disease now affecting nearly every nook and cranny of the world.

Then today came a bolt from out-of-the-blue. Robert Gibbs, the White House Press Secretary, said Obama’s daughters will not receive the vaccine based on their profile.   Apparently, according to him,

…only children with an impaired immune system are supposed to take the vaccine.

I don’t think this is what the media is reporting …

In my office, I have been told by parent after parent that local health officials are coming into the elementary schools next week to administer the H1N1 vaccine to all of the school children. Now, it is obvious we need to protect our children – and ourselves. In last Friday’s health alert, Swine Flu Spreading from Schools, schools are a breeding ground for H1N1.

But forced vaccination is not the right way to go about providing that protection. I think the risks far outweigh the “supposed” benefits. If you missed our video report on Desiree Jennings, a vibrant 26 year old who got a flu shot in August and is now neurologically impaired, you must watch it: Woman Neurologically Disabled by Flu Shot.

Continue reading “From the White House: No Flu Shot for Sasha and Malia”

Posted on

Swine Flu Spreading from Schools

If you have children, no doubt you have already know that schools are a breeding ground for germs. Locally our schools in Arkansas have reported up to one-half of the kids are home sick.

When the kids get it, guess who’s next? Mom and Dad!

By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Editor
October 21, 2009
WASHINGTON (Reuters)

Results of tens of thousands of flu tests indicate that the pandemic H1N1 virus is spreading from school-aged children to the rest of the U.S. population, makers of the tests say.

Quest Diagnostics, which makes a commercially available test that can confirm swine flu infection, said the findings suggest many more adults will be infected with the new H1N1 influenza.

“Based on tests performed since Quest Diagnostics began offering H1N1 testing in May 2009, children between the ages of five to 14 have experienced higher overall rates of H1N1 positivity than any other age group,” the company said in its report.

The Quest test is a PCR test — it magnifies the genetic material of the virus so it can be detected and is similar to the tests used by state health departments to confirm H1N1.
Continue reading “Swine Flu Spreading from Schools”

Posted on

Diabetes – The Disaster Waiting to Happen

The new Epidemic – Diabesity – Obesity triggered Diabetes.

40% of our nation’s kids are either “at risk” or “overweight”, a 10-fold change from when I was a child. And it is not because of genetic changes. It is due to environmental changes. Today, kids are considerably less active and eat mostly highly-processed foods instead of home-grown fruits and vegetables.

Children are being diagnosed with Type-2 Diabetes, also referred to as “adult-onset” diabetes, setting them up for a life long battle with heart disease, kidney and nerve damage, potential blindness and more. As debate continues at the highest political levels about how best to deal with an exploding obesity problem in our young, alarmed specialists are already grappling with its medical effects.

Continue reading “Diabetes – The Disaster Waiting to Happen”

Posted on

ADHD Meds May Hike Kids' Heart Risks

New York, (CBS)

Dr. Jennifer Ashton Discusses New Research Linking Stimulant Drugs and Sudden Death

Research released Monday by The American Journal of Psychiatry gives more support to the claim that stimulant drugs usually prescribed for ADHD could increase the risk of sudden unexplained death in children.

On The Early Show Monday, CBS News medical correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton what the study might mean for the 2.5 million children taking medication for the disorder.

The study found the rate of stimulant use in children and adolescents who died suddenly or from cardiac dysrhythmia was 1.8 percent, compared to 0.4 percent for youth who died as passengers in motor vehicle accidents.

Ashton said all the drugs commonly prescribed to children with ADHD are amphetamines. While amphetamines have been shown to give children the ability to keep focus and attention, Ashton said they can increase heart rate and blood pressure.

“(Amphetamines) do have very potent effects on the body,” she said.

Continue reading “ADHD Meds May Hike Kids' Heart Risks”