Flu Shot, Will you get one?

[Hercules10]

Last time I got one (8 years ago) I came down with the worst case of flu I've ever had. Since then I don't and have only gotten the flu once and it was during summer!

 

[luvwinnie]

I've always declined because I'm not in any target group. But this year my employer is suggesting everyone get vaxed as an avian flu precautionary measure. I guess I will.

The "regular" flu shot will do NOTHING to protect against avian flu.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I'm torn. I was dx with asthma this year, so I SHOULD, but I do worry about those "rare" side effects.

I have asthma too. I have gotten the flu shot for many years now. Always do fine. DH gets them too. My Dr. does not want him bringing the flu home. Yes I will get it again this year. I usually get it in mid October. It takes 6 weeks to get maximum protection, so I am protected about Thanksgiving.

 

[barkley]

i'm in the target group but will pass. when i've taken it i've ended up with it wreaking havoc on my arthritis. i end up hobbled up for a couple of weeks. i have a couple of friends who have had similar reactions.

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

None of us ever have.... and after what we have been through this summer I doubt any of us ever will. DS had to fight through Guillain Barre Syndrome... and although his case was not triggered by a vaccination, I have a new awareness of those "rare" side effects.

BTW DH and I both work in healthcare.

 

[golfgal]

I'm torn. I was dx with asthma this year, so I SHOULD, but I do worry about those "rare" side effects.

The rare side effects are MUCH less common and harmful then getting a severe respiratory infection from the influenza! Trust me, you DO NOT want to get influenza. It is the most awful thing to have, ever. This isn't the 24 hour, throw up a couple times thing. It is the you hurt so much your hair even hurts I am so tired I can't crawl to the bathroom type thing.

 

[minkydog]

Yes, I will get a flu shot and so will my kids. My DH has severe lung disease and one of the ways we keep him healthy is by keeping ourselves healthy. Flu would be devastating to someone like him. I take the flu shot nearly every year(I'm a nurse) and I've never gotten the flu except in the years in which I was not able to get the shot. One year I had the flu two within 6wks, both time followed by bouts of pneumonia. That was not a fun winter.

 

[ead79]

Yes, I will get the flu shot. I'm wondering if my company will provide them, but I sort of doubt it. I have had a flu shot every year except the year with the shortage, and it has been effective for me in preventing the flu. I haven't had any side effects either, other than a tender arm at the site of the shot for a couple of days.

 

[minkydog]

The rare side effects are MUCH less common and harmful then getting a severe respiratory infection from the influenza! Trust me, you DO NOT want to get influenza. It is the most awful thing to have, ever. This isn't the 24 hour, throw up a couple times thing. It is the you hurt so much your hair even hurts I am so tired I can't crawl to the bathroom type thing.

You took the words right out of my mouth. Those rare side effects are...well, rare. The more common side effects, like lung infection are pretty serious. Flu can leave you feeling so feeble it can take 2-3 wks to really recover. In the past 15yrs I've had the flu 3 times. All three cases were dramatic and miserable. I hope I never get it again

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

family never has - don't ever plan to.....

 

[luvwinnie]

My concern is that Sept/Oct are our BUSIEST times at work so if I DID have a rare effect, it would be horrible to be out at that time...maybe I can wait until early Nov?

 

[lemondog]

Our whole family gets one every year. DH gets one at his work, I get mine at the health dept. and the kids get theirs at the pediatrician's office. DH has reactive airway disease so he really needs one. The kids and I are not high risk (well, my kids are under age 6 which is now recommended by the CDC to get a shot) but we get one anyway. Why chance it? The one year I did not get the flu shot (due to shortage) I got the flu. It was AWFUL! I have never run a fever for that long in my life, and I don't want to experience it again.
I don't think they start giving them here until October, though.

 

[minnieandme]

I think I may get one this year. For some reason I seem to get it every 4 years so I was due to get it last year. Thankfully I didn't, so I better prepare myself.

 

[liamsaunt]

DH and I get a flu shot every year after having the flu together about six years ago. I have had double lung pneumonia, so advanced that I was almost hospitalized, and that was a walk in the park compared to the flu. I NEVER want to go through that again. I think I missed about two weeks of work, and we were moving when we were struck. We had to be out of our apartment, but we were so weak we couldn't even finish packing--we had to have the movers do it for us. Awful, awful experience.

 

[C.Ann]

Even though I got sick from the flu shot last year, I'll probably get it again this year.. I'm planning on driving from NY to Florida alone after Christmas and sure as heck wouldn't want to come down with the flu along the way - nor would I want to come down with the flu while I'm in Florida for the winter and not familiar with any of the doctors there.. Acutally thinking of tossing in the pnuemonia shot as well because I qualify for it due to my past medical history..

 

[CarolG]

Since my office pays for them, I'll get the shot again this year.

 

[luvwinnie]

Even though I got sick from the flu shot last year, I'll probably get it again this year.. I'm planning on driving from NY to Florida alone after Christmas and sure as heck wouldn't want to come down with the flu along the way - nor would I want to come down with the flu while I'm in Florida for the winter and not familiar with any of the doctors there.. Acutally thinking of tossing in the pnuemonia shot as well because I qualify for it due to my past medical history..

What symptoms did you have?

 

[Pigeon]

Nope, I think they are ridiculous. The years when they are abundant, the medical community hypes them to the max. The years when the vax is scarce, the medical community tells everyone not to panic and downplays the importance of getting the shot. They only protect against a few strains of flu. The vaccine contains formaldehyde and mercury. I'd rather just get the flu.

 

[schlepsnort]

Kids are getting the flu shot, we adults are not. I have a supressed immune system so either way, shot or no shot I'll get sick. I'd rather not have a shot wasted on me. DH--well I can tell him to get one, I could nag him to get one..but in all likelihood, he will not get one.

I'm just waiting for the usual media spread panic about flu shot shortages etc. it's so ridiculous each year. Almost like the West Nile Virus reports at the beginning of summer. I wonder if they just recycle the news reel each year?

 

[Deb in IA]

Yessiree.

I'm in health care, see a lot of sick people daily, so it is really self-protection!!!