In the Midst of Flu Season

I had the flu once when I was a child. I still remember the pain behind my eyes and the way the room spun when I tried to stand up. To avoid this, the CDC says the number one preventive measure is to receive a flu vaccine. I’m not a scientist or medical professional, but I have my doubts about this. For me, hygiene and common sense have been the best preventive measures:

1. Wash hands frequently with soap and warm water.
2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, which are the main areas for germs to invade.
3. Occasionally disinfect phones, door knobs, faucets, and other common surfaces.
4. Avoid close contact with sick people, especially face-to-face.
5. Avoid drinking or eating from the same cup or silverware as other people.
6. Don't lick your fingers.
6. To prevent spreading germs, cough or sneeze into a tissue or your sleeve instead of on your hands or into the air. Dispose of the tissue and wash your hands.
7. Strengthen your immune system by exercising regularly, getting enough sleep at night, reducing stress, and eating healthy foods (particularly colorful fruits and vegetables).

However, the CDC lists at-risk groups who are encouraged even more to receive flu vaccinations. The list makes some good points, especially regarding the elderly with weakened immune systems or those living in nursing homes.

On the other side, Natural News published an article about how vaccines weaken the immune system over time. According to the article:

Vaccines leave you more vulnerable to future infections. They deny your immune system the opportunity to practice its own adaptive response to invading microorganisms or viruses, thereby causing your immune system to atrophy in the same way that a wheelchair-bound person will experience leg muscle atrophy. The immune system is a lot like a muscle: Use it or lose it!

But flu vaccines provide weakened viruses to the immune system (along with other preservative chemicals that can be extremely dangerous to neurological health). It's sort of like working out your muscles at the gym but having your trainer do all the heavy lifting for you. Obviously you're not going to have very strong muscles in the end because your body won't need to invoke a very strong adaptive response.
 The same is true with vaccines and the flu: If your body is exposed to weakened flu viruses year after year, it gets lazy and weak, and when it one day comes into contact with a full-strength virus circulating in the wild, it's not in good enough shape to handle the challenge.