Flu shot...should I get it? Need opinions...

[It's A Happy Day]

We are being offered the flu shot where I work (free of charge) and I have never gotten one in the past. I know people who are high risk - elderly, people with supressed immune systems, etc. are recommended to get it but now sure if I should. I am a 30ish generally healthy female. DH & 2 toddlers at home (not sure if that would sway an opinion) How does 1 decide yay or nay to get it??? And those that have in the past, any side effects I should be aware of?

 

[Frantasmic]

I am 43, male, but I have school-age children at home. I started the flu shot regimen (company provides it yearly) 2 years ago.

I haven't had any reactions.

You're only reason to get it would be if you expect your children to get it from their contacts and bring it home.

In your shoes, I waited when I was that age since I wasn't in the flu demographic.

 

[hemispheredancer]

I won't hurt you to get it. Better to be safe than sorry!

 

[Blondie]

Since I work in a hospital, I can also get it free of charge.

I never do though, I'll take my chances. I'd rather give my shot to someone who really needs it, like the elderly and other high risk patients.

Oops, need to add a disclaimer: I'm not saying that people who do choose to get the flu shot aren't in the need. It's all a matter of choice.

 

[monarchsfan16]

There's a flu shot clinic here on campus in a few weeks. I've never gotten the shot before, but I'm now living in a dorm, so I will get it. My roommate's horror story from when she got the flu last year was enough to make up my mind about that, as well as the fact that I'm seeing just how fast things can travel in this dorm.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I got a flu shot yesterday. Even though I am not in any high risk groups I didn't want to chance that one of my school age kids would bring it home to me. I already suffer from migraines and I think the flu would put me over the edge. My only side efect is a sore arm--feels like someone punched me.

 

[FionaLovesShrek]

It is offered at my place of employment also. Several of the employees that got it were out sick last week I chose not to get it. In fact, I've only had the flu shot once and I got sick that year. So until my doc says I need it, I'll put it off.

 

[taximomfor4]

Definitely an individual decision.
I got mine yesterday, free from my work (a hospital)...because I am in nursing school, and we CAN NOT miss a day. The flu would ruin my semester. Plus it is only a matter of time before I am caring for patients with the flu, some of whom will be sick already but not yet showing symptoms (so not yet isolation precautions.) I have 4 kids at home, one was hospitalized with influenza last winter so I REALLY don't want it in my house at all if we can help it. Once I finish nursing school and the kids are a bit older, I might or might not continue to get flu shots. I used to never get them.

Reactions (besides sore arm) are not common, by the way. It is an inactive (NOT live) virus so it will NOT give you the flu. You CAN get the flu after getting the shot, if a different strain goes around than predicted. Or if you get exposed before the shot takes affect...it can take several weeks to start protecting you.

I know, I know...you could have looked up that info yourself. Just thought I would save you the trouble, since I just did it all yesterday . make sure you have no allergies to anything used in making the shot.

HTH some!
Beth

 

[mtblujeans]

I caught a virus this past Spring that had me coughing so hard I was throwing up and couldn't breathe. The doctor tested me for whooping cough but found that the virus had brought on asthma. I am still being treated for the asthma. We had hoped it would have gone away by now...but, no. I caught another virus that has been going around the schools about 4 weeks ago. It aggrevated the asthma and I was miserable again.

I heard on our local news that they are expecting the coming flu to involve upper respiratory infection! UGH! I called my doctor office and asked if I should get a flu shot or if the asthma treatment would somehow conflict with the flu shot. They said I need to get one but they were out of them until next month so I went to the Health Dept. yesterday and got one.

The shot cost $20 and, locally, they are only offering them to high risk patients right now. The nurse told me that someone like me, who has already been left with 'side effects' of a virus that required medical treatment, should get a flu shot for the rest of my life.

I would recommend anyone get a flu shot that can do it. Think of how it might affect your life if you, or someone at your house, were to catch something that left a permanent health restriction.

 

[caitycaity]

i've never gotten a flu shot. i've only had the flu once as an adult and that was in college. i'd think about getting the shot if i had kids, just because i figure then the chances of me getting it would be higher. otherwise, i have no plans to get a shot, even though we get them free at work.

 

[Bob Slydell]

With two toddlers, I'd probably get one, but like others have said, it's an individual decision.

I've never gotten one in the past, but with a cancer survivor for a DW, an asthmatic DS and an infant at home, our family doctor recommended I get one, not so much for my health, but to try to ensure that I don't pass on anything to my family.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

I've had one every year for 30+ years. No side effects ever. Never got the flu either.

 

[luvmydogs]

Eight years ago I got the flu (didn't get a shot), and it turned into a nasty case of pneumonia. The only time in my life when I was sicker was when I had mono, and I swore that after that, I'd always get a shot and do--actually everyone in my family now does. I haven't had the flu since then, and never regretted getting a shot. I never want to be that sick again if I can do something to prevent it--it was just awful!

 

[golfgal]

I had the influenza once and that was enough for me, thanks! It was the most awful illness I have ever had. I didn't get a shot last year because of the shortage but I will get on this year as will the kids-they are asthmatic.

 

[CheshireVal]

I got my shot today. I'm a teacher-- it was offered free at work.

 

[urglewurgle]

we're being given them free at work too.. and i'm only 22... but if it's free, why not?

 

[Christine]

I'm a 42 year old woman. I do not get the flu shot. Mostly because I'm "phobic" of medications and I seem to have some sort of weird reaction to everything I take. I had the flu back when I was 13. It did turn into pneumonia. Since then, I have never had the flu again. I know it's going to get me one day but I feel that I am not in crowds much at all and I take all the precautions to avoid it.

Now, I do have two kids (ages 10 and 14). Because one of them is an asthmatic and BOTH of them are in school everyday where that stuff runs rampant, I get THEM to get a flu shot so they don't bring it home to me.

But, if the shot is free, if it's easy to get, and you have young children at home (and you're not a chicken) then why not get one.

 

[jbdreamer]

I have always gotten really sick after getting the flu shot. I don't get them anymore, and I don't get nearly as sick. I would rather take my chance of getting sick, then guaranteed to be. But maybe it's just me.

 

[Christine]

I have always gotten really sick after getting the flu shot. I don't get them anymore, and I don't get nearly as sick. I would rather take my chance of getting sick, then guaranteed to be. But maybe it's just me.

That's always my fear. Now I KNOW that you cannot get the flu from the flu shot. But you can be sensitive to the preservatives in the shot and they can make you feel bad. That's my concern. If I ever get a flu shot, it will have to be on a Friday afternoon, right after work, and right before I go home.

 

[Trish Bessette]

Healthy 38 year old here and I got mine on Monday. Second time I got it. The day I got it I felt like crap (entire body ached) but it was gone the next morning.

I had the flu once many years ago and I will NEVER go through that again.

Both my DD's get their shot in a week.