Flu Shot...Are you getting one?

[DMRick]

I got mine Monday. When I first called for my appointment, I was told it's too early. Then they called me back and said it wasn't (my theory is that they didn't have the vaccine yet and didn't want me to go to Walgreen where they would lose the payment!). Boy, was I surprised when I went and got my shot, and read on the paper they handed out, that the vaccine is good for one year, so I didn't have to worry about getting it too early.

Am I remembering wrong, or in the past was it just good for 5 months?

 

[kacaju]

Yes, our family always gets the flu shot. One year about 10 years ago I forgot to get the shot for me and the kids. I got the flu and my then 1 year old. no noe else did.
My other two were in K and 2nd grade. I could not even get out of bed to get them on and of the bus because I was so sick.
Thank goodness for neighbors!!

I was just so sick..never again..I now make sure we get it!

 

[mhsjax]

The 1st time I got it was 10 years ago, I spent that night and next day with a fever and body aches. Last year I got it again for free through my employer and spent that night and the next day with a fever and body aches. LOL Never again!

This is the reaction that I have.. That shot sent me for a loop. Never again.

I did have the flue a couple of years ago, my case was no worse than that way I felt when I got the shot. I am 47 years old, and this is the only time I got the flu.

Also, I personally have never known anyone that has dies from the flu. Not saying it doesn't happen, obviously it does. but for me personally, I got it once, my kids, have never even had a bad enough cold to even question it, This include last year when everyone was sick as dogs in their schools.

Needless to say I won't be participating. I understand why some people do, but count me out as one of them.

 

[Aristomommy]

It's like the terrorist alert system always set on orange.

Yep, it's exactly the same....

 

[tlbwriter]

But I do love the annual flu shot hype

Yes, it's almost as entertaining as the annual anti vaccine hype. Almost.

 

[bevgray]

I had Guilliane-Barre/Miller Fishers from a virus 30 years ago and still have residuals. Anyone who has had an autoimmune disease or is currently suffering from an autoimmune disease probably should not have the vaccine simply because your system may put you more at risk for a reaction. Keep in mind though, you can still get GBS from a virus (although it remains a very rare illness) so it's a gamble either way. I prefer to take my chances with the flu but, for the vast majority of the population, the vaccine will do no harm and may actually be beneficial in preventing a bad bout of flu.

 

[Dax]

So I went ahead and got the shot...DH advised against it...claiming not knowing what is in it...

Now my arm is KILLING me...its red, puffy, itchy and warm where they injected it..LOL..I am sure that will go away though...

 

[Deb in IA]

So I went ahead and got the shot...DH advised against it...claiming not knowing what is in it...

Now my arm is KILLING me...its red, puffy, itchy and warm where they injected it..LOL..I am sure that will go away though...

You are mounting a vigorous immune reaction and should be well protected!

Take some ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory, or use an ice pack. You should be fine in a day or two.

 

[ICF]

Nope...never have, and dont see any reason to start now.

 

[sbell111]

Nope, never do.

But I do love the annual flu shot hype, last year's being the best. First there's the big push to get everybody to get the shot. If you don't get the shot, you will drop dead.

Of course, last year (and every year) lots of people did actually die.

 

[sbell111]

Nope, I'll let my immune system do it's job, ...

Me, too!!!

I try to get the flu shot every year to give my immune system the best possible odds of protecting me from the flu.

 

[tlbwriter]

Originally Posted by ohiomom28 View Post
The 1st time I got it was 10 years ago, I spent that night and next day with a fever and body aches. Last year I got it again for free through my employer and spent that night and the next day with a fever and body aches. LOL Never again!

This is the reaction that I have.. That shot sent me for a loop. Never again.

I did have the flue a couple of years ago, my case was no worse than that way I felt when I got the shot. I am 47 years old, and this is the only time I got the flu.

I'm confused. Ohiomom described her reaction as one night and one day of fever and body aches. You said your reaction to the vaccine was the same. And you say you had the flu and it was no worse than that? One night and one day of fever and body aches? What makes you believe this was the flu? Were you tested?

 

[Gigi22]

DH and I have been getting flu shots annually for a number of years. First, we got them because we dealt with the public at work. Second, because my mom moved to a retirement residence, and you had to have the flu shot to visit anyone there. Third, she moved to a nursing home, and you had to have the flu shot to visit. Finally, now we are retired and getting older, so we get the flu shot as a health precaution. Neither of us have ever had any reaction.

 

[RC Fan]

We've been getting it here at work for several years. To each their own, but I have always found it to be very helpful.

 

[MzDiz]

I'm confused. Ohiomom described her reaction as one night and one day of fever and body aches. You said your reaction to the vaccine was the same. And you say you had the flu and it was no worse than that? One night and one day of fever and body aches? What makes you believe this was the flu? Were you tested?

I think a lot of people call a cold "the flu" and forget what the actual flu feels like.

 

[Aristomommy]

Me, too!!!

I try to get the flu shot every year to give my immune system the best possible odds of protecting me from the flu.

 

[mhsjax]

I'm confused. Ohiomom described her reaction as one night and one day of fever and body aches. You said your reaction to the vaccine was the same. And you say you had the flu and it was no worse than that? One night and one day of fever and body aches? What makes you believe this was the flu? Were you tested?

Well actually I had about 2 days of feeling like crap and running a fever. With the flu, and yes I was tested, I felt yucky for 1 day, then the next I thought a train had run over me, went to the Dr the next day, got Tami flu and was feeling much better by the next day. Maybe it was a mild case. I don't know. I do know that I spent 15 years working in a physicians office and I think I built up a pretty good immunity, I really never get sick and if I do, it ends pretty quickly.

 

[mhsjax]

I think a lot of people call a cold "the flu" and forget what the actual flu feels like.

This is true, but I was tested and I know by body. I don't run fevers, never, except after the flu shot and when I did have the flu. I can have the worst cold in the world by anyones standards and not run a fever, my family is also like this.

I am sorry that people don't believe I had the flu, I did. I had a mild case no biggie, so what. I don't get the flu shot, I won't get the flu shot, the flue I had didn't feel much worse than the reaction I had to the flu shot.

I don't care if people get the shot, no skin off of my back. I have friends that get it, premie babies and the whole family gets it. I choose not to.

 

[Angelhalo]

My DH's company is doing them for free for employee's and spouses, so we'll be getting them. I've never had one before to my knowledge.

 

[Mom3girls]

I got the flu shot last year for the first time ever. I think it was November. I was very ill in January, so bad that after five days I dragged myself to ER. They took Xrays and discovered I had a horrible case of pneumonia and probably had the flu. I was admitted to the hospital for three days so they could monitor the pneumonia and my heart which was fluttering, skipping beats and racing at times.

Gonna call the dr and pneumo dr tomorrow to see if it's a good idea to get the flu shot this year or run from it...