I used to be phobic about needles, but when the opportunity to get a flu shot from the new high pressure squirt gun came along I went for it (you just feel a sharp tap as the vacci... moreI used to be phobic about needles, but when the opportunity to get a flu shot from the new high pressure squirt gun came along I went for it (you just feel a sharp tap as the vaccine is shot through your skin into your arm under high pressure). Later that season I went down with influenza. That was in 1971. Never since have I accepted a flu shot, and never since have I got the flu.But my advice to everyone is definitely get the flu shot when it is available; even if you live in a country where you have to pay for it out of your own pocket, and even if you have to endure injection by the hypodermic syringe method. You can't be too careful, and each year people all over the world die from the flu.Did you get a flu shot this season, and if you did, have you so far got the flu? If so, was it one of the 80%+ strains for which your shot is now known to have been ineffective, or was your flu shot appropriate for stopping the strain you actually ended up getting? less
By chance, I had an astonishing conversation with a couple of mothers I met at the beach yesterday.Apparently, since our society stopped automatically circumcising boys, there has ... moreBy chance, I had an astonishing conversation with a couple of mothers I met at the beach yesterday.Apparently, since our society stopped automatically circumcising boys, there has been a significant rise in problems with uncircumcised boys and men getting infections under their foreskins, and having pain during coitus because the foreskin won't roll back off the glans.5 percent of boys develop have foreskin problems requiring treatment and a third of these may need foreskin surgery for medical reasons.Fathers who were circumcised have no knowledge of foreskin care and so couldn't inform their wives.Apparently, when a baby boy's penis is kept intact,the primary carer is supposed to be instructed by health professionalson how to peel back, clean, and oil the foreskin with every diaper change and bath time,and then as the boy grows more independent, teach him how to peel back, wash and dry himself properly every day.If this doesn't happen, the foreskin grows too tight over the glans.Now I understand ... less
