Do Flu Vaccines Really Work—Should I Get One?

This story was written with the intent of being published, but that didn't work out, lol so I'm posting it on my blog once again. Thank whoever the genius/es were who realized that THE WORLD NEEDS INTERACTIVE/SOCIAL MEDIA AND BLOGS!

Hopefully it will help you stay healthy or give you some insight for this Flu season.

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As October quickly approaches, flu season inevitably follows suit (though its peak isn’t until about February). Like any medication, the flu vaccine does not work as effectively in each individual, as our genetic makeups (as well as factors such as age and health) cause our bodies to react differently to various medicines. There are also medical factors that determine how effective the flu vaccine will be each year.

Annually, scientists attempt to identify what strains will be prominent in the coming flu virus, so that their vaccines will provide a good “match” to fight it off.[1] Some years the vaccine is more accurate than others. Thirdly, already having a chronic disease may also decrease the effectiveness of a flu vaccination.[2] Knowing these facts, while thinking about flu vaccinations, a question that may come to mind is, “Does a flu vaccination really work and should I even get one?”

The immediate answer is yes!

Unfortunately every year, approximately 36,000 people die from complications related to influenza.[3] The flu vaccine works best among healthy, young adults.[4] One big misconception people have is that a flu vaccination will prevent you from contracting a common cold. If you get sick during the “flu season,” it does not mean that the vaccine did not work; you may simply have a common cold or another type of illness.[5]

Though different variables play a part in how effective your flu shot will be, it is nevertheless highly recommended that you still get a flu shot, as it generally reduces chances of contracting the flu anywhere from 70 percent to 90 percent.[6] Experts suggest getting the flu shot early, as it takes up to two weeks for the vaccine to kick into full operation mode. In this case the phrase applies—“It’s better to be safe, than sorry!”

--Yasmine Arrington ‘15

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[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Seasonal Influenza (Flu): How Well Does the Seasonal Flu Vaccine Work? http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaccineeffect.htm.

[2] Vaccines Health Center. “Flu Vaccine Effectiveness: How Well Does It Work?” http://www.webmd.com/vaccines/how-effective-is-flu-vaccine

[3] Lacombe, Andrew. “Flu Season is Coming, are you getting a vaccine? Fox11. http://www.fox11online.com/news/local/green-bay/flu-season-is-coming-are-you-getting-a-vaccine

[4] Vaccines Health Center. “Flu Vaccine Effectiveness: How Well Does It Work?” http://www.webmd.com/vaccines/how-effective-is-flu-vaccine

[5] Ibid

[6] Ibid

DC and back Again: Yas Is On A Travel Tangent

Oh, did I mention how much I LOVE the city? I had to go home to DC this weekend for CAIR's (Council on American Islamic Relations) 19th Annual Banquet. I won their Rosa Parks Award. CAIR is a phenomenal organization and I will do a blogpost on them soon.

I got to see grandma, and my bros! Man, they're growing taller. Our grandparents from Canada came down, so I got to see them also.

On Sunday, on the drive back to North Carolina the city was live! There was a Caribbean festival going on, and passing through Dupont Circle a Jazz/GoGo like band was playing on a street corner and some young women were dancing in front of them...HILARIOUS!

And I saw two teenage-looking, young adults (if that makes any sense, lol) running across the street holding hands, then embracing each other, cupping each others faces...how cute.

Then as the couple continued to walk, a woman runs past them (she was jogging) and the boyfriend of the couple does this obvious head turn to watch the girl run. I wonder what that was about, lol.

I'll be back in DC on Thursday for the College Success Foundation's Annual Fundraising Breakfast. Then come to see Steve Woniak (co-founder of Apple speak here at Elon).

Tomorrow Tino and I are going to see Michelle Alexander lecture at Wake Forest University. OH, HOW I WISH TO MEET HER! My undergraduate research is on just that, Parental (Mass) Incarceration and it's Effects on the Educational Outcomes of Their Offspring. I reached out to Wake Forest to let them know I would be attending and that I hope to meet her. I was told, I probably wouldn't get the opportunity because of Alexander's busy schedule. I then asked if they would at least have a Q&A, and they will but it's ONLY for "Wake Forest students", but it's a free event. What kind of discrimination is that?

The main goal of any educational organization (I know of course is to its students first), but the overarching goal should be to ensure that all undergraduate students get the most out of their school career/research, etc. That's a hot mess...

Anyways, I'm not going to let that discourage me because I've had people say way worse/mean things and NONE OF THAT HAS STOPPED ME YET!

Recent Adventures

I introduced Pulitzer Prize winning-author, Taylor Branch at Elon last night. He is amazingly intelligent and intellectually gifted! I still have yet to post photos and video from my speech at the 52nd Annual Redskins Luncheon back in August. Will do that soon. :)

McDonalds Around the Globe: Different Strokes for Different Folks

In my Public Relations class, we are talking about the importance of altering or tailoring your PR strategies and tactics to accommodate/attract various cultures. For example, if you have an American food company, or PR agency (frankly, any kind of business) and you would like to expand it into another country, you often need what's called a "Cultural Interpreter" as well as structure your company in favor with the culture, beliefs, practices, etc. of the new territory you are moving into. If you don't conform your company, you may not survive in a new country.

Somehow good old MickieDs always finds its way into a PR conversation, lol. They do it and they do it so well! I'm loving it! I digress...My peers ended up sharing all the countries they've traveled to and the different kinds of food those McDonald's stores sell, that are not available in the US. Also, Starbucks is a good example of this too. A recent article in The Wall Street Journal entitled "Starbucks Brings its Coffee to Vietnam" (May 17, 2013) talks about how the company had already exceeded their expectations of revenue. The article also mentioned specific things the company is doing to appeal to Vietnamese consumers...

"Starbucks decorated the downtown store with local art and artifacts to create a distinctly Vietnamese flavor. It also came up with a drink, the Asian Dolce Latte, to appeal to local palates. For food, it serves roast-duck wraps and French-style baguettes."

Now back to McDonalds...look at some of these foods McDonalds sells in various countries...hey, I can't get a shrimp burger here! (These photos were posted on a blogpost written in 2009, so I'm not sure if all these are still offered, but it's kind of cool to see the drastic differences...I mean banana pies, shrimp burgers, bacon potato pie, fried pork sandwich stuffed with cheese?! Which would you like to try?

Middle East

McArabia: Grilled chicken or grilled Kofta (spicy beef) with toppings on Arabic Style pita bread.

The Veg McPuff Pizza: tomato sauce and veggies wrapped in dough

                                                      The Chicken McCurry Pan

China

                                             Chicken Katsu: Fried pork stuffed with cheese

                                                                   Shrimp Burger

                                                                      Banana Pie

                                                                   Chicken Porridge

Europe

                                           Of course European McDonalds sells beer, ha

                                                                   Onion Rings

To see more international McDonalds foods feel free to visit  http://foodnetworkhumor.com/2009/07/mcdonalds-menu-items-from-around-the-world-40-pics/ or http://www.aboutmcdonalds.com/mcd/country/map.html

The Juggle

In school, I almost ALWAYS feel like a juggler in a circus...

trying to balance school work, with REAL work, with leisure, with extracurricular and my spiritual...

Funny. I hadn't even mentioned eating, sleeping and exercising, which all by the way have to fit into there too. 

In the summer it's much easier...a little bit of work, some photo shoots, and much needed sleep and family time. 

Each year in school brings on more work and more research, but I'm sure the end results will be endlessly rewarding. 

The sad part though, is I don't get to write to my public (and for myself) like I love to. To write on recent topics, write on my life discoveries from day to day. 

Not having to worry about formatting everything in it's proper AP, MLA, or Turabian style....I mean its (did you get that joke...kekekekke) I can be funny, witty, and completely honest. 

For one of my junior seminars we're reading this book by Ann Lamott called "Bird by Bird." This woman IS HILARIOUS! There's nothing like an enjoyable read with vivid imagery and outbursts of laughter just waiting to happen. 

My roommate situation is "Giving me LIFE!" As many young people say today, as an expression of great satisfaction. 

We all have our own rooms (4), but often we just happen to congregate in the kitchen or in the living room simply laughing! We will all end up sitting at the dining room table doing homework or eating, sharing our experiences...and LAUGHING! For THIS is the college experience I'd been longing for for so long and it has finally arrived! It may cost me an extra hour or two of sleep, but building bonds and strengthening relationships can't be capped by a time period. It must flow naturally. 

I also have this Kick-butt teacher, who is teaching us how to make our resumes PHENOMENAL and stand out from what he calls "the slush pile"! He says, "You're too unique to minimize yourself to a template!" To me, in my mind, that's like the greatest quote ever! He so polished...always wears nice suits and ties, and is the funniest man. His humor is very calm and very subtle. He really wants for his students to succeed in the real world. 

The other day, I had two gentlemen on campus who needed b-roll of me for a video (for one of my scholarship programs0 and lo and behold, who would've known that there is a prison (really a release program) about 8 minutes away from a private, affluent university. 

I also sat down and spoke with one of the lunch ladies on her break and was awe-struck to find out what goes on behind the scenes. Wow, being a student and being in their world is literally two different worlds. 

I am currently interning with a local marketing company and have the opportunity to blog for a fashion blog. How exciting, my first official writing gig! 

Yes my thoughts are jumping and being tossed like those juggler pins...

Ok... I NEED SLEEP! Nighty night. I mean GOOD MORNING, Heavens it's 3:30am. 

Syria, What Do We Do

Some say, "DON'T GO!"

Britain, already said "Hell NO!"

Syrians have sent us videos saying

"How can you abandon us, America?

We're waiting on you

Some areas are literally 

open graveyards

Syrians in America tell us stories 

of how their families back home

at any moment

their houses can be raided into

girls and wives raped

shot to death

Oh Syria, 

what do we do? 

--By Yasmine Arrington