Healthy Immune System = Healthy Body

My family, which includes four young children, has no insurance. It is cost prohibitive. We are healthy (thank God!) and choose not to immunize, vaccinate, or do "well-baby" or "well-child" check-ups.

When we get sick, we tuck into bed with bee propolis, Emergen-C and Airborne, and wait for it to pass. I welcome a healthy fever as I believe it is the body's way of "burning off" the illness.

This is a well thought-out regimen. I am very well acquainted with infectious disease and immune response due to previous experience as an "expert" in infectious disease transmission. I also sincerely believe our health care system is flawed and welcome an attempt to "fix it".

H1N1 (Swine Flu) Vaccine

Many of my expectant moms are asking about the vaccine for H1N1. While I caution that it is a very personal decision and not one I should make for them, I do share my concerns.

Firstly, I have heard numerous anecdotes of physcians and politicians who are not advising or administering it to their own family members due to concerns about its safety. Apparently they are concerned there has not been sufficient testing.

Secondly, I am angry at the pharmaceutical companies and the media for capitalizing on Americans' fear.

Lastly, I choose not to immunize or vaccinate my own children as I believe the best defense is a healthy immune system. My family routinely uses bee propolis, Emergen-C, and Airborne to fight colds.