Being an informed and patient patient.

(not to be confused with becoming a patient patient)

I’m inherently an optimistic person, but when someone honks their horn the split second a light changes to green from red or nearly knocks me off the bus that I too am trying to exit, I have to admit that I start to lose my patience, not to mention my auspicious disposition.

Similarly, I feel like the H1N1 vaccination process has made a majority of Americans, or rather the media, completely cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs. That said, I have a few quick points to make.

First: be patient
Vaccinations take time to create. Why? It’s complicated, but I like to compare it to making bread from scratch—you can’t rush the process. Dough needs time to rise in the same way that eggs need time to hatch. This medical blog explains the process pretty well: scienceblogs.com/effectmeasure

Second: be informed
This vaccine has been through the same routine FDA procedures that all vaccines withstand. Really? Yes. More here: flu.gov/myths

Last: if you are getting the vaccine, get the correct one
It’s really a personal choice whether you get the H1N1 vaccine—I’ll be getting it and I already had the regular/seasonal flu shot. But if like me you are on anti-TNF therapy (like Remicade, Humira, Cimzia, etc.) make sure and get the shot and not the live virus (which is taken through the nose).

Good luck! And wash your hands already!