rockpile Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Last year I got the flu right after Christmas. After a week I realized it was more than a bad cold and went to the doctor, who diagnosed it as H1N1, AKA Swine Flu. Man, I was sick for two and a half weeks. If I had fluid in my lungs, I would have been hospitalized. It sucks being that sick and it also sucks that our time off at work is all "PTO". I usually do not get sick, so getting the flu cost me a week's vacation as far as I was concerned! I also do not consider being bedridden and contagious "personal time off". If I could have made it to work, I was contagious for over a week. I could have wiped out the call center! Does anyone else get the flu shot? I got the shot yesterday and no side effects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boyst Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 I'll wait to get mine toward November. Every other year I end up getting a very bad flu to turn in to pneumonia. This is the year I will get it. If I do not get it then I end up getting the flu a couple times in the winter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim in Anchorage Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 58 years old never had the flu in my life. Never had a shot. Not going to tamper with whats working. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerball Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 I got mine a couple weeks ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corp000085 Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 I haven't had the flu since I was in high school. I got the flu shot when my son was an infant, thinking "I'd protect him by protecting me". Sure enough, 2 days later, I was diagnosed with pneumonia. Not the flu, but I was literally NEVER sick, had the shot, and within 48 hours was using a nebulizer for the next 2 weeks. Needless to say, I've never gotten another flu shot. I eat 3 squares, engage in cardio exercise daily, and lead a happy life. My lifestyle predispositions me for health, not sickness. I'll get the flu shot if I ever get the flu again. 20+ years strong, knock on wood! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miyagi-Do Karate Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 No. Every year that I get the shot, I get the flu. When I don't get it, I am usually okay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meazza Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 I have asthma so it's recommended but I have never gotten the shot. I think I will this year though as I had a bad flu last year but it lasted only 2 days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Tom Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 58 years old never had the flu in my life. Never had a shot. Not going to tamper with whats working. "Since I never got the flu, I don't need a shot." That's horrible risk analysis. It's the exact same risk analysis I use...but it's still horrible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 No. Never have. I am 46. With JRA/RA... Things are going well, I simply don't want to mess around. Hopefully herd immunity takes over. As a child, I don't think I ever got the rubella shot because of JRA? I know they say the vaccines are safe, I just don't want to take a chance with a flare... Things are going well so I stay the course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob's House Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Does anyone know if having gotten a flu shot in years past gives you stronger resistance than if you've never had one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 "Since I never got the flu, I don't need a shot." That's horrible risk analysis. It's the exact same risk analysis I use...but it's still horrible. Exactly. Same here, I know it is horrible. I should let it ride and get one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim in Anchorage Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 "Since I never got the flu, I don't need a shot." That's horrible risk analysis. It's the exact same risk analysis I use...but it's still horrible. Again, why tamper with success? After a life time of flu free living why should I get a shot now? I have heard plenty of stories from people that never had the flu till they got a shot. I should do it because CDC says so? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Again, why tamper with success? After a life time of flu free living why should I get a shot now? I have heard plenty of stories from people that never had the flu till they got a shot. I should do it because CDC says so? I mean you are right. I don't want to take a risk with a RA flare-up... Herd immunity is working, but I also want do my part. Who wants to willingly be a freeloader (off the herd)? I did purposely lob that softball right over the meat of the plate! ;-P ;-P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim in Anchorage Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 I mean you are right. I don't want to take a risk with a RA flare-up... Herd immunity is working, but I also want do my part. Who wants to willingly be a freeloader (off the herd)? I did purposely lob that softball right over the meat of the plate! ;-P ;-P I don't know what RA is. And how is having a immune system capable of handling the flu on it's own freeloading? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 (edited) I don't know what RA is. And how is having a immune system capable of handling the flu on it's own freeloading? Rheumatoid arthritis. You never got the flu (by what you said)... How do you know it (your immune system) can handle it? Edited October 16, 2014 by ExiledInIllinois Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim in Anchorage Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Rheumatoid arthritis. You never got the flu (by what you said)... How do you know it (your immune system) can handle it? What does the flu have to do with RA? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Poojer Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Never had a flu shot, haven't had the flu in years and when I did it was more a 24 hour thing (knock on wood). Also don't use hand sanitizer. My system seems pretty strong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philly McButterpants Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 I have the constitution of a bear and haven't been really "sick" since my teen years. I get a sniffle now and then, but nothing too serious. That said, I get a flu shot every year . . . And unlike Pooj, i am a fanatic about hand sanitizer. Rule #1: Always go wash your hands after handling the menu in a restaurant . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garion Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Yes. If you had a flu that lasted two days it wasn't influenza it was another virus. Real flu knocks you out for about a week. There is lots of good quality research out there but here's a a sample for the young and healthies in this thread http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199510053331401 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plenzmd1 Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Yes, and the bigger question for you old geezers like me is are you getting the shingles vaccination? Recommended now at 50 if you had the chicken pox...positive on both for me. Flu piece of cake compared to the shingles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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