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...
PastaJoe 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. Didn't know they had a shingles vaccine. I'm in the same boat, and my mother had shingles after I had chicken pox. My wife had a flu shot a few years ago and got sick afterwards. She and I haven't had one since. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsFan-4-Ever Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 nope. I don't think I've had one in over 20 years and have not had the flu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jauronimo Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Flu shots have been linked with government mind control operations and adult onset autism. No thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azalin Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 I received a flu shot last weekend, and I feel just fine. at 56, I'm starting to feel really bad when I catch a cold, let alone the flu. I'm glad that I quit smoking, because that lowered my immunity and made catching a flu even more miserable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMCBillsFan Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 I used to have to get it every year when I was on active duty. I found if I got the shot I was ok, if I had to get the mist up the nose I'd get sick. So I started telling them every year I had a pregnant gf at home so I could get the shot with the needle. Didn't get one last year after I retired and was ok, probably won't get one this year either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plenzmd1 Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Didn't know they had a shingles vaccine. I'm in the same boat, and my mother had shingles after I had chicken pox. . http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/shingles/shingles-vaccine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Tom 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? Because they're independent events. Our chances of getting the flu this season are not lower because we didn't have the flu last season. we're not "tampering with success," we're rolling the dice according to the "hot hand fallacy." It's the same sort of "It didn't happen before, so it's low-risk this time" warped risk analysis that got the Challenger exploded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Avenger Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 I get mine every year on week 1 - then I always know when I got it. I have a son with a heart condition, so making sure nobody in my family gets sick is a big priority for us - we all get our flu shots every year and don't look back. The flu is terrible if you get it - it'll knock you on your butt for a week or more - "ain't nobody got time fo' that!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBud Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Have not done the flu shot in a number of years. I use the homeopathic version - http://www.elixirs.com/products.cfm?productcode=S94BB I've gotten a pretty bad cold the past couple of years, but not the flu. Knock on wood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Tom Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Have not done the flu shot in a number of years. I use the homeopathic version - http://www.elixirs.c...oductcode=S94BB Do you know what 30C means in homeopathy? It means your buying really expensive water (distilled if they're honest; more likely tap.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 People who say, "I don't get the flu shot because it makes me sick," are either full of crap, or just happen to get sick shortly after receiving the shot. They no longer use a live virus in the flu shot. I used to get it every year. I stopped about 10 years ago and don't plan on getting one until I reach an age where it's recommended. We do make our son get one every year, however. 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. The shingles vaccine isn't available to those under 50. I got shingles at 40 - before the vaccine was available to the public. I tried to get the vaccine (one is at higher risk to get shingles after having it prior) and they told me I was too young (now 43). I think that's BS. Shingles sucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Tom Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 People who say, "I don't get the flu shot because it makes me sick," are either full of crap, or just happen to get sick shortly after receiving the shot. They no longer use a live virus in the flu shot. It's supposed to make you sick. If it works, it triggers an immune reaction, which in some people can be as bad as a couple days' being under the weather. The point is that two days of "feeling icky" is better than having the flu for two weeks. Most vaccinations do that to me. A tetanus shot will give me a fever and muscle aches for 48 hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdog1960 Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 (edited) 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. this is partially true. the fda approved it for 50-59 but the ACIP has not recommended it in this age group http://www.cdc.gov/v...recommendations. for this reason, it will often not be cobered by insurance in this age group. 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 having RA would move the bvalance even further towards taking the shot especially if you are on immunosuppresive meds. Does anyone know if having gotten a flu shot in years past gives you stronger resistance than if you've never had one? unlikely since the strain changes every year. the changes in the vaccine are the manufacturers best guess at what the most prevalent flu viruses for a given year will be. sometimes they're wrong hence, ineffective. and i absolutely will be getting the vaccine. besides it being a requirement for employment, it's the ethical thing to do ...for just about everyone except those few with a valid medical reason for exclusion. Edited October 16, 2014 by birdog1960 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KD in CA Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 It's supposed to make you sick. If it works, it triggers an immune reaction, which in some people can be as bad as a couple days' being under the weather. The point is that two days of "feeling icky" is better than having the flu for two weeks. Most vaccinations do that to me. A tetanus shot will give me a fever and muscle aches for 48 hours. Yup. I've skipped the shot most years, but the times I've had it I've had the two days of feeling icky several times. By comparison I've had the flu only twice, once about 25 years ago and once last year, and that wasn't even quite the regular flu so the shot might not have helped anyway (according to the doc). and i absolutely will be getting the vaccine. besides it being a requirement for employment, it's the ethical thing to do ...for just about everyone except those few with a valid medical reason for exclusion. Which makes the whole vaccine somewhat of a crap shoot anyway, correct? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mead107 Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 GE gives them to anyone that wants them I got it 2 weeks ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 and i absolutely will be getting the vaccine. besides it being a requirement for employment, it's the ethical thing to do ...for just about everyone except those few with a valid medical reason for exclusion. How is getting a flu shot the ethical thing to do? (asked the person who's had the flu zero times in the 10 years he's not gotten the flu shot)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KD in CA Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 GE gives them to anyone that wants them I got it 2 weeks ago. It's getting harder to avoid! If you have to go to the doctor for any reason in the fall, forget it. At work, at the CVS, all everyone wants to know is if you got your flu shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdog1960 Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 How is getting a flu shot the ethical thing to do? (asked the person who's had the flu zero times in the 10 years he's not gotten the flu shot)? to prevent epidemics/pandemics. also to prevent transmission to frail people that could well die or suffer serious morbidity from an infection. i might manifest mild symptoms from the flu while the person i gave it to might die. sound melodramatic? nope. many people die every year from the flu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsFan-4-Ever Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 have not had the FLU or FLU shot in over 20 years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dean Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 I get the flu, at least once a year whether or not I get a flu shot. If it's coming through the area, I'm getting it. I have a hereditary anemia which may contribute to my body's poor immune system. I suppose in years where I get a flu shot, if they have successfully guessed what strain of flu is likely to hit, I may have been spared the full force of the flu---but how do you really know? I also tend to get sick following the flu shot about 50% of the time. I stopped getting flu shots for awhile, but I felt like I was getting hit harder with a couple really bad bouts. So, at my doctor's appt a couple weeks ago, he gave me the flu shot. Felt pretty bad for a couple days after and then...BAMN! got the flu. Lasted about a week. Not the worst as far as symptoms go, but still debilitating. Since I work in other people's homes and places of business, I can't exactly expose them to my illness. it effectively kept me out of work for a week. My question is, will I get the flu again in Jan/Feb? Probably. But maybe I'll miss my almost yearly Christmas flu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts