Why the Flu Vaccine Doesnt Work All the Time

Why the Flu Vaccine Doesnt Work All the Time The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is looking at whether or not the flu vaccine is effective. Preliminary results indicate youll get just as sick (with colds, flu, flu-like illnesses) if you got the vaccine than if you didnt. Why doesnt the vaccine work? In order to understand the answer, youll need to understand some specifics about the flu vaccine and a bit about how immunity works. Flu Vaccine Facts There is no single virus that causes the flu; there is no one flu vaccine that protects against all of them. A flu vaccine is designed to confer immunity against the strains of flu that are expected to be most common and most serious. The vaccine is a sort of one-size-fits-all solution, even though there are more types of flu than covered by the vaccine and the flu types vary according to a region. It takes time to produce vaccines, so a new vaccine cant be instantly produced when a new type of flu starts to cause problems. The Vaccine and Immunity The flu vaccine gives your body parts of inactivated flu viruses. These virus parts correspond to parts of proteins floating around in your body. When the virus part contacts a chemical match, it stimulates the body to produce the cells and antibodies that can remove this particular intruder. Antibodies are proteins that float in body fluids and can bind to specific chemical markers. When an antibody binds to a substance, it essentially marks it for destruction by other cells. However, an antibody for one type of flu wont necessarily bind to a virus part from another type of flu. You dont get protection against other viruses. A flu vaccine can only stimulate your immune system to protect you against the viruses in the vaccine, with some lesser protection against very similar ones. Incomplete Protection Against Intended Targets You may not even get protection against the intended virus. Why? First, because viruses change over time. The piece that was in the vaccine may not look the same (chemically) as the real thing (months later, after all!). Second, the vaccine may not have given you enough stimulation to fight off the disease. Lets review whats happened so far: the inactivated virus piece has found a chemical match in your body. This causes an immune response, so your body has started to gear up its production of antibodies and similar markers on cells that can mark the virus for destruction or kill it outright. Its like calling up an army for a battle. Will your body win the fight when the real virus comes to call? Yes, if you have enough defenses built up. However, you will still get the flu if: Your body isnt fast enough producing a response.Get the vaccine and get exposed to the flu too soon (less than 2 weeks).Too much time between vaccination and exposure (the vaccine loses its effectiveness over time).You dont produce enough of a response.Overwhelmed by exposure to a high level of the virus.Your body couldnt recognize the initial virus piece (this determined by genetics).Your body didnt make enough antibodies/cells (this is common in older people or people with suppressed immune systems).The virus as changed beyond your bodys ability to recognize it.The part of the virus that was in the vaccine cant be detected by the body in the intact virus. But Is It Actually a Waste of Time? Yes and no... the flu vaccine will be more effective some years than others. The CDC predicted that the vaccine developed for the winter of 2003/2004 wasnt going to be effective against most cases of the flu because the strains covered by the vaccine werent the same as the strains that were common. Highly targeted vaccines work, but only against their targets! Theres no point in accepting the risks of a vaccine for a disease you cant get. When the flu vaccine is on-target, its more effective. Even then, the vaccine isnt perfect because it uses inactivated virus. Is that bad? No. A live vaccine is more effective, but much more risky. Bottom line The flu vaccine varies in effectiveness from year-to-year. Even in a best-case scenario, it wont always protect against the flu. The CDC study didnt say that the vaccine didnt work; it says the vaccine didnt protect people from getting sick. Even with imperfect effectiveness, the vaccine is indicated for certain people. In my opinion, however, the vaccine isnt for everyone and certainly shouldnt be required for otherwise healthy people.

The Inhumanity of the Death Penalty in Truman Capotes In Cold Blood Research Paper

The Inhumanity of the Death Penalty in Truman Capotes In Cold Blood - Research Paper Example Hickock and Smith mistakably comprehended that Clutter used to keep a lot of money in his house. So both of them planned that immediately after their release they would go and rob Clutter and escape with his money. Therefore, I support that Perry and Richard were justified to be given death penalties. Perry and Richard were justified to be hanged since both characters were a threat to society. After their release, they did as planned but they didn’t get the money since Clutter rarely kept any money in the house. The two criminals ended up killing the whole family and escaped. Church mates are noted to be the ones who first noted the disappearance of the Clutter’s family in Church and decided to make a follow-up. Their efforts led them to Clutter’s house in which they found only dead bodies. This is said to be realized on the second day after when the criminal event had taken place. The police were notified and in the process of making investigations, Wells informed the authorities that he had discussed Clutter’s richness with Hickock and Smith and so they became the first suspects. Further investigations are mentioned to lead to the arrest of the two criminals a month after in Los Vegas and were brought to Kansas where they were charged for the murder c ase of the Clutter’s family. The two confessed while agreeing with the charges but their statements contradicted each other about who killed who. Nevertheless, the two murderers were both charged and sentenced to death by hanging and which took place in 1965.

Allopatric Speciation Is The Only Mechanism By Which New Species Arise Essay

Allopatric Speciation Is The Only Mechanism By Which New Species Arise - Essay Example Species: is defined by Mayr (1942, 1963) as quoted in Cowlishaw; Dunbar (2000: p.13), as a population of individuals capable of interbreeding, that is producing fertile offspring. According to Magurran et al (1999: p.2), Species is considered to be groups of populations reproductively isolated from other such groups by â€Å"isolating mechanisms†- genetically based traits that prevent gene exchange. Speciation: Brigatti; Martins and Roditi (2007: p.378) define Speciation as the process of the generation of two reproductively isolated populations, after which gene flow between the different taxa is absent in any form. That is, new species which are not capable of reproduction with each other are created as a result of speciation. According to the view of Evolutionary Biology, the creation of a new species comes about primarily through variation, the creation of mutants. These mutants might replace the parent species or live in a separate landscape, either way enhancing the competitive environment through a variety of phenotypes. The key to speciation lies in the elimination of inviable or maladaptive phenotypes, mutants of companies that are less successful (Dekkers, 2005: p.144). All populations of a species share a unique common ancestor and a gene pool. They can interbreed and produce fertile offspring under natural conditions. If and when gene flow between them stops, reproductive isolating mechanisms typically evolve. This is because, mutation, natural selection and genetic drift operate independently in each population. Such divergence may give rise to a new species (Starr; Evers, 2006: p.283). Mass extinctions, slow recoveries, and adaptive radiations are major macroevolutionary patterns. (Cowlishaw; Dunbar 2000: p.22) state that speciation in some groups has been dependent upon ecological release following the extinction of ecologically dominant species. Allopatric Speciation: Allopatric Speciation occurs when a geographical barrier cuts off

Importance Of Avoid Making Stereotypical Assumptions Social Work Essay

Importance Of Avoid Making Stereotypical Assumptions Social Work Essay Stereotype reflects the perception one has of other individuals based on their different physical abilities, emotional appearance, religious, cultural disposition, sexual orientation or ethnicity without knowing anything personal about that person and these views are often connected to experiences, observations or other influences such as the media. I will first outline below some of the reasons why it is important to avoid making assumptions based on stereotypes when providing care for someone and then later on show how individual care workers can guard against doing this. Making assumptions, based on stereotypes, when providing care for someone can have a negative effect on the quality of care, as illustrated in the case of Mhà  iri who suffered from a stroke and needed a wheelchair but opted instead for personal care at home. The care manager, Stuart, who did the assessment could have found out about her sexual preference had he not assumed because she was married that her relationship with partner Gillian was heterosexual. This would have allowed more sensitivity to be shown by the carers when attending to her personal needs. The stereotypical assumption that disabled people cannot communicate would have the consequence of them not being listened to properly and this would deny them the right to appropriate services and having a voice. This would impact on their individuality and personal needs, thereby affecting the quality of care being provided. As one participant wheelchair user pointed out in Its like when you go to the hospital or the doctors, if you go with anybody because youre in a wheelchair they dont address you, they look over you and that really infuriates me. This underscores the need to speak directly with the service users rather than making assumptions that they are helpless or not capable of discussing their caring needs. Showing narrow-mindedness because an assumption is made based on stereotype, is being prejudice and this was highlighted in Gypsy Travellers report about prejudice within the health care service. It can prevent Gypsies from gaining access to appropriate medical services such as the barrier presented by a receptionist the receptionist are harder to get past à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ I think theyre doing the doctor a favour à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ I did something good today, I kept the Gypsies away. Another stereotypical assumption illustrated in is that people with mental health problems are prone to violence such was the case of Simon Jackson. However, he was just reaching out for help and often misunderstood, as he was suspicious of any authority figure. Making stereotypical assumptions can prevent people receiving appropriate care and if a carer has a prejudicial view it could further complicate the matter and deter users from accessing the services. For example, as given in, a disabled lesbian fel t that she was seen as somehow unnatural or abnormal. However, when these beliefs are carried through, it becomes discrimination. An example of this provided in K101 Block 3 Unit 10 where council estate residents were seen as failures and not interested in academic success. In providing care for someone in a local community, care workers should recognise and value diversity, that is, people are different and should be treated differently but fairly to avoid inequality and discrimination. Therefore, it should not be assumed that providing personal care for an Asian female would be the same or similar to that for a white European female. Care workers need to be culturally sensitive and take into account the differences in peoples lifestyles and family relationships. As in people with speech impediments are sometimes stereotyped as being deaf and are often shouted at when communicating and this should not be indicative of all people with such a disability. When providing care for someone with this disability, a carer needs to be more informed about that persons capabilities before engaging to avoid any communication barriers or leaving that person feeling demoralised. It may sometimes be necessary to use stereotypes and make assumptions as it can act as a guide to help in decision-making, such as when organizing a social event for older people in a care home as this could be the target audience and provide the opportunity to cater to their specific needs. Individual care workers can guard against making assumptions based on stereotypes by being more tolerant and make every effort to understand that person better. The care worker should find out what help a disabled person needs instead of assuming what they think they need based on previous experiences or observations. It is important for care workers to avoid being condescending when disabled people are accompanied by their cares but should communicate directly with the disabled persons. If the care worker is not able to understand someone with a hearing impairment, they could ask the person to tell them how they prefer to communicate and not pretend to have understood them when they have not or they could become familiar with that persons method of communication and find ways of keeping that communication going with aids such as Mankaton or other similar sign language. It is essential to identify that there are different religious, cultural and other particular needs of people, ther efore care workers should also see service users as individuals and tailor care according to their individual preferences so that appropriate services can be provided. Care workers need to develop a knowledge and understanding of how the law affecting disability and discrimination as the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 protects disabled people and does not only apply to people who have a physical disability, visual or hearing impairment but can also cover people with learning disabilities. In addition, they should also be familiar with the Race Relations Act 1976, as it is unlawful to discriminate against a person on ground of race, colour, ethnic origin or nationality. An example of this was demonstrated in with an account given by Roz, a white nurse when a patients wife made loud racist remarks that she thought it was disgusting that her husband should be in a bay with three black men on their own which offended the men. Roz did not collude with this racist view by changing the ir bays but instead left the men to sort it out amongst themselves, after gaining their views. In conclusion, an assumption based on stereotypes when providing care for someone should be avoided as it could be construed as being prejudicial or discriminatory and is likely to have a negative Impact on the service user. Individual care workers can guard against doing this by recognising the diverse global village we live in and be respectful of other peoples cultural, religious beliefs and ethnicity as well as any government legislation relating to disability and discrimination. Word count: 1113

Comparing Physiology Worksheet Essay

In this assignment you describe and compare the circulatory, skeletal, and respiratory systems of sharks, iguanas, eagles, and humans. Answer each of the following questions in 25 to 50 words. Circulatory System Shark How would you describe the structure and function of this animal’s circulatory system? Include any unique characteristics. How does this animal’s circulatory system work? Iguana How would you describe the structure and function of this animal’s circulatory system? Include any unique characteristics. How does this animal’s circulatory system work? Eagle How would you describe the structure and function of this animal’s circulatory system? Include any unique characteristics. How does this animal’s circulatory system work? Human How would you describe the structure and function of this animal’s  circulatory system? Include any unique characteristics. How does this animal’s circulatory system work? What is similar in all of these circulatory systems? What is different in all of these circulatory systems? Respiratory System Shark How would you describe the structure and function of this animal’s respiratory system? Include any unique characteristics. How does this animal’s respiratory system work? Iguana How would you describe the structure and function of this animal’s respiratory system? Include any unique characteristics. How does this animal’s respiratory system work? Eagle How would you describe the structure and function of this animal’s respiratory system? Include any unique characteristics. How does this animal’s respiratory system work? Human How would you describe the structure and function of this animal’s respiratory system? Include any unique characteristics. How does this animal’s respiratory system work? What is similar in all of these respiratory systems? What is different in all of these respiratory systems? Skeletal System Shark How would you describe the structure and function of this animal’s skeletal system? Include any unique characteristics. How does this animal’s skeletal system work? Iguana How would you describe the structure and function of this animal’s skeletal system? Include any unique characteristics. How does this animal’s skeletal system work? Eagle How would you describe the structure and function of this animal’s skeletal system? Include any unique characteristics. How does this animal’s skeletal system work? Human How would you describe the structure and function of this animal’s skeletal system? Include any unique characteristics. How does this animal’s skeletal system work? What is similar in all of these skeletal systems? What is different in all of these skeletal systems?

Biodiversity, Or Biological Diversity - 1609 Words

Introduction: Biodiversity, or biological diversity, is a term first coined in 1985 by Walter G. Rosen concerning the number of species in a particular habitat and revolved around the idea that diversity cannot solely be understood through numbers (Maclaurin and Sterelny, 2012). However, before 1985 biodiversity was related to concepts of â€Å"genetic diversity and ecological diversity†. This allowed to further define ecological diversity with species richness as â€Å"the number of species in a community of organism†. Biodiversity is more than just the amount of species in an area but rather better measured by taxic measures, molecular measures, and phylogenetic measures (Harper and Hawksworth, 1994). Today, zoologists have estimated that†¦show more content†¦Our method of capture was the pitfall trap (digging a hole in the ground and placing a cup) that was filled with isopropyl alcohol. The independent variables for this experiment included location (habita t 1 vs habitat 2) and sun vs shade. The way biodiversity was measured through the arthropod collection project by primarily using statistics including the sum of individual specimens, the sum of taxa, and evenness. The sum of individual specimens allows for the depiction of abundance. The sum of taxa is better known through richness or more specifically how common a certain arthropod is. Lastly, using the Burger- Parker index, evenness is the â€Å"lack of dominance† which is known as â€Å"1/Pm† (UNO Department of Biological Sciences,1999). Methods: This experiment was conducted in New Orleans and Kenner, Louisiana which are located in Orleans and Jefferson Parish, however, Kenner is more suburban rather than city. Conducting this experiment required setting out eight pitfall traps (four in each habitat) which were labelled cups one through eight. This experiment was conducted over the time frame of three weeks in order to collect approximately 100-200 arthropods. Every day for three weeks, cups (pitfall traps) were placed in two different habitats (Kenner and New Orleans) and put out every morning and picked up every night. The shadeShow MoreRelatedBiodiversity, Or Biological Diversity1720 Words   |  7 PagesBiodiversity, or biological diversity, is a technical term that captures diversity of the whole living world, from genes to individual species, through plant and animal communities and entire biomes (Defra, 2010). In other words, biodiversity represents genes, species, and ecosystems, which are the structural elements th at are nestled within each other, and their ecological functions, in an area (Cepel, 1997; Ozcelik, 2006). Biodiversity provides the building blocks for our ecosystems to functionRead MoreEssay about The Importance of Biodiversity1310 Words   |  6 PagesWhat exactly is Biodiversity? 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10 Spanish Conquistadors of the New World