how do we know if the MMR vaccine we got as kids actually took?? ... or is still working?

Conclusively? If you get mumps, you're not immune. Anything short of that is just guesswork (or expensive antibody testing, I suppose.) I had understood, though, that the vaccine was demonstrated to last at least 25 years, and was thought to provide lifelong immunity.

Has anyone heard what happened in "southern Alberta"? I hadn't heard anything about this.

I mean, my guess would be that there was some questionable immunity status (or perhaps a failed immunization) and, because we're talking about childbearing-aged adults (in whom the disease is more severe and in whom you worry about spontaneous abortions and congenital abnormalities), they figured better safe than sorry. But it would be nice to know what actually happened.

so, um... how do we know if the MMR vaccine we got as kids actually took?? ... or is still working? I mean, Lisel had to be re-vaccinated, so what guarantee do they have that all the rest of us are still good?

News Release
November 13, 2007
www.capitalhealth.ca

Capital Health to immunize Edmonton and area post-secondary students and staff against mumps

Edmonton, Canada – With the recent diagnosis of a number of mumps cases in southern Alberta post-secondary institutions, Alberta Health & Wellness has requested that all nine regional health authorities begin programs to immunize students and staff in local post-secondary institutions. All students and staff born in or after 1970 should be immunized with mumps-containing vaccine if they have not been immunized against mumps, received only one dose of mumps vaccine, or have never had mumps disease. [what does this mean??] Capital Health will be on post-secondary campuses in Edmonton beginning the end of November to provide free immunizations to all eligible individuals. Dates, times and locations will be made available once details have been finalized.

Mumps is a highly contagious viral disease which is spread when an infected individual coughs or sneezes tiny drops into the air or onto objects. Also, people who are in direct contact with the saliva of an infected person can contract the disease.

Symptoms may include headache, fever, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain when chewing or swallowing, and pain and swelling of glands under the ears or on either side of the face. Swelling often begins on one side of the face, then spreads to the other side.

In most cases, individuals will recover from mumps within one to two weeks. However, complications can include sterility, meningitis, arthritis, and deafness.

If you suspect mumps disease, contact Capital Health LINK at the number below. Limit contact with others – do not go to school, work or any public places or participate in any social activities – until assessed by a health care provider.

For more information 24 hours a day, seven days a week, call Capital Health Link at 408-LINK (5465) or, outside the local calling area, call toll free 1-866-408- LINK. Visit www.capitalhealth.ca for health information online.

Another thing I don't really like is the attitude most of the Dragons have. Of course since they are investing money into your company they have to do their due dilligence. However some of their attitude is definitly harsh, and they seem to want to invest in a winner (well of course it is their money) but if the person's buisness is already doing so well why would they need you (Dragon's money I mean)? All my time watching I haven't actually seen a clear cut "winner" who was wasting his time on the show, a lot of "grey" for the Dragon to sift through.

I'm interested in the "JobLoft" guys and how good they are doing. I think they got $200,000 for 51%. Don't see them as big as Workopolis so who knows.

They didn't get what they were asking for ($400k for a 15% share), but they did put on a good presentation. The big problem seemed to be that the dragons didn't agree that their business was worth over $2.6 million.

I think the thing with the show is that (a) you don't have to pay the money back (it's an investment, not a loan) and (b) you get one or more of these five accomplished businesspeople as a partner (which is worth quite a bit to your business.) So it's not quite like just going to the bank.

That said, there are people with ideas that are poorly thought-out that are hoping for free money. (They often leave saying "they'll regret this when I'm a millionaire.") Which, admittedly, is half the fun of watching.

How'd that go? Couldn't people just get a bank loan or something, instead of going on Dragon's Den? Most people are only asking for $100,000, that's less then a house loan! Well since I don't know their whole financial situations (the people appearing on Dragon's Den) so maybe getting even a $100,000 is hard for them. Just my 2 cents on the show.

Actually, Anish was raving about that a few years ago. And the three emerg docs behind it were on Dragon's Den a little while ago trying to get investment to expand their market.

okay, do you think this was done in all seriousness, or could they possibly have known what they were doing?

Yeah, after the I made the video, I wished I had talked about a system that seems to be built for prescriptions, and how the more drugs we have, the fewer doctors we need, and then the fewer doctors we have, the more drugs we need. And if I don't have experience, I can't find a job, and if I don't have a job, I can't get experience... I rushed it without fully fleshing it out. I'm too busy for quality. I of course also failed to mention the positive impact that drugs have. Which is of course, considerable.

As for the free sample thing, I actually mentioned to Andy when we were making it that I am glad that doctors get the free samples, because after my heart went apeshit, they gave me a pill to take home, instead of a prescription. Why I brought it up, is that if doctors are giving out these samples, there's more of a chance that those particular drugs will be prescribed later, because they have experience with them. It's not so much bribing the doctors, as it is bribing the health system.

And advertising birth control pills is the worst, because it makes taking them "cool", and any teenage girl who goes on the pill will be "mature" and "unique" and "respected by men". This is over and above what other drug advertising does.

to give an example of the bribery/infiltration of drug companies over common sense, one could say, ... Par's comments made me remember a doctor at the Campus Health Centre. I think I went in for a head cold or something, but it was VERY OBVIOUS that he was going to push birth control on any woman that walked in there. He had posters for five different birth control pill brands, those circular cycle/pregnancy calendar thingies, something else really blatantly "buy our birth control pill" like a diorama or some such thing and *marvelon brand stirrup covers. That entire office/exam room screamed "YOU SHOULD BE ON THE PILL" and I think he even asked me... despite ... oh! right, I went in because my knee was killing me. So... go in for some help with persistent joint pain and get the "are you sexually active? are you on any form of birth control?" talk.

it may seem odd, but I always feel strange when male doctors push the pill on me. and I typically get my back up when any doctor pushes drugs at me.

well done again boys andy and lisac!
Although I did want to see more Rick Mercer vision