Welcome, Foolish Mortals...to an October 2011 PTR! Trip Report link is up, pg 71!!

StitchSpawn · Aug 28, 2011

Nermel9 said:
Need some advice!

Hi guys! So I need some advice...I'm sure I've mentioned before that I'm kind of a paranoid freak about germs, I hate getting sick, and I try to do everything I can to prevent getting sick! One of the things I've done for the past couple of years is get a flu shot.

I asked this question on the theme parks boards, but I wanted to ask you guys too...I normally get the flu shot around when I'll be in Disney this year, the end of September/beginning of October. So I was thinking of getting it early this year, so I'll be protected in Disney...but I'm nervous about getting sick from the actual shot! I mean, I know the shot itself won't make you sick, but it does lower your immune system for a few weeks, right? Making it more likely that you'll get sick?

I don't want to get sick before Disney OR worse, at Disney! So I'm wondering if I should just wait until I get back? It seems too risky to get it before, like I'm going to be freaking out about getting sick the whole time from it if I do get it, so much that I'll make myself sick!

It would be ok if I waited until I got back right? I mean, early October isn't exactly flu season, so I could go to FL and come back and get it when I get home and it would be ok...

I've been going back and forth with this for days...one minute I'm ready to get the shot tomorrow, the next minute I freak out and think I should wait until after my trip! I don't know what the best thing would be! I'm leaning towards waiting until we get home as of now, but I want to know what you guys would do if you were me!

I'm getting one before I leave, probably September 1st and I leave Oct 9, I think it should be enough time to recover. I also plan on taking a lot of vitamin C on my trip.

jenbear123 · Aug 28, 2011

Being a germaphobe myself I normally get the flu shot every year around November. I really don't think you need to get it before you go away. September would be super early, no? I've never had a reaction to the shot so I usually go get it and forget about it. Have you reacted to it before? Everyone reacts differently so if you've never got the shot before than I'd wait until you get back. The flu shot itself is a copy of the dead virus to help your immune system recognize and fight it if the real thing ever does show up.

IheartDDuck · Aug 28, 2011

I think it also depends on whether or not you have ever had a reaction to a flu shot or had one at all. I've never had the flu shot before, because every person in my office who gets the flu shot gets sick every time. I on the other hand did not get the flu last year, even though I didn't get the shot. That's just me though. I would be afraid of getting sick from it too.

DisneyMom14 · Aug 28, 2011

Nermel9 said:
Need some advice!

Hi guys! So I need some advice...I'm sure I've mentioned before that I'm kind of a paranoid freak about germs, I hate getting sick, and I try to do everything I can to prevent getting sick! One of the things I've done for the past couple of years is get a flu shot.

I asked this question on the theme parks boards, but I wanted to ask you guys too...I normally get the flu shot around when I'll be in Disney this year, the end of September/beginning of October. So I was thinking of getting it early this year, so I'll be protected in Disney...but I'm nervous about getting sick from the actual shot! I mean, I know the shot itself won't make you sick, but it does lower your immune system for a few weeks, right? Making it more likely that you'll get sick?

I don't want to get sick before Disney OR worse, at Disney! So I'm wondering if I should just wait until I get back? It seems too risky to get it before, like I'm going to be freaking out about getting sick the whole time from it if I do get it, so much that I'll make myself sick!

It would be ok if I waited until I got back right? I mean, early October isn't exactly flu season, so I could go to FL and come back and get it when I get home and it would be ok...

I've been going back and forth with this for days...one minute I'm ready to get the shot tomorrow, the next minute I freak out and think I should wait until after my trip! I don't know what the best thing would be! I'm leaning towards waiting until we get home as of now, but I want to know what you guys would do if you were me!

I would wait until you get back. That's what we are going to do. I've heard the same about waiting til late Oct/early Nov. so that it lasts through spring flu season. We usually get the shots every year and this last year we didn't and guess what??? DH and DD got the flu :headache:

NOT skipping it this year! But I will wait til I get back from Disney. My DH is a major germophobe as well and takes several "preventatives" like vitamin C, etc. You may want to increase your intake of Vitamin D. DH says he's read in several different places that Vitamin D fights the flu. Also, because of my stomach issues, I take probiotics daily. I find that since I've been taking them, I don't get sick as often. I read something about them helping your immune system so maybe there is something to it. Anyway, just wanted to share.

Also, I hope you are doing ok through the storm. We've been through soooo many hurricanes and they are not fun when they cause damage and leave you without electricity for days. Hoping all is well. :hug:

KatMark · Aug 28, 2011

I can't be much help because neither Mark or I get flu shots. The last time I got one, ten years ago or so, but I got sick really bad three weeks later I swore them off. I'm sure you'll make the decision that is best for you.

Shannon84 · Aug 29, 2011

Wish I could help, but I haven't had a flu shot since I was a kid...I usually get sick the last day of Disney no matter what, but thats mainly from running around all week :rotfl:

but I don't really ever get sick with the flu -- knock on wood!! Hopefully somone can give you some good advice :goodvibes

Hope the hurricane didnt hit you too hard...a lot of trees down around and I am one of the few in my area with power

jenneth79 · Aug 29, 2011

I get my flu shot every year around the end of October / early November. Not even sure which strain you'd get if you got it before you left. Sometimes they come out with the "new" shots around the end of September.

I have always been one of those who didn't get sick even without the flu shot, then my doctor told me that even if I don't get sick, I could pass it on to someone else if I don't get the shot.

Gotten it every year since, and never had a problem. You should be fine waiting, though! :thumbsup2

amyrella · Aug 29, 2011

I say get it before. But I'm a healthcare worker. You CAN NOT get the flu from the flu shot yourself. Those who get sick after already had something in thief immune system and it's coincidence. My manager did not get one last year and ended up with the swine flu, she is now getting the clumsily this year. She said she wanted to die. Some people who have the flu do NOT even have flu symptoms but are contagious.

I say get it a couple weeks before you go.

Simba22 · Aug 29, 2011

i would definitely wait until you come back BUT...bring disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer with you.... After what happened to my BF last year, I wouldn't take any chances. Think about how many people touch the surfaces at WDW on a daily basis.... :scared:

I'm not saying to go crazy and wipe down every door knob, but definitely wipe down the table when you eat QS and definitely wash your hands or use sanitizer before eating.

KatMark · Aug 29, 2011

Simba22 said:
i would definitely wait until you come back BUT...bring disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer with you.... After what happened to my BF last year, I wouldn't take any chances. Think about how many people touch the surfaces at WDW on a daily basis....

I'm not saying to go crazy and wipe down every door knob, but definitely wipe down the table when you eat QS and definitely wash your hands or use sanitizer before eating.

Great advice, Ali. We do this every trip...wipe the tables with the disinfecting wipes and I carry a hand sanitizer with me too.

Simba22 · Aug 29, 2011

KatMark said:
Great advice, Ali. We do this every trip...wipe the tables with the disinfecting wipes and I carry a hand sanitizer with me too.

After DBF's "Barfday" I won't be taking any chances on future trips. He thought it was the cheese sauce from Casey's that made him sick but I'd be willing to bet it was probably germs from all of the stuff he touched leading up to that meal.

Nermel9 · Aug 29, 2011

SOUTHERNtinkerBELLE said:
It's so sad to have to think about departure days before they happen! It sounds like yours will at least be fun, though! We always just get up early for our departure day and hit the road. Since we drive, I always figure that going into a park would wear me out and make the drive that much harder. If we flew, I think we'd definitely pop into a park for a while, though!

As far as the flu shot goes, I would wait until you get back, but I've also never had a flu shot because so many people I know that get it end up getting sick. They offered them at my work last year and so many of the people that got them were out sick the following week! I always just take my chances, and so far I've never had the flu.

Hope you guys stay safe and that you feel very little of the storm's effects!

TinkerbellLuvr7 said:
I was always told to get it in Nov which is when I get mine. The longer into fall you wait, the longer it will carry you till the spring. I've heard this from my college wellness center and my doctor in PA and Ohio. I say wait and bring lots of sanitizer with you!

TanzUnited99 said:
Lol if I was you I wouldn't have the shot at all! I have a phobia of needles and it takes me multiple trips to the doctors just to get one tiny needle put in my arm! My mum used to have to bribe me to get my blood tests done!

Anyway I would say wait until you return - you def don't want to risk getting sick at Disney World

StitchSpawn said:
I'm getting one before I leave, probably September 1st and I leave Oct 9, I think it should be enough time to recover. I also plan on taking a lot of vitamin C on my trip.

jenbear123 said:
Being a germaphobe myself I normally get the flu shot every year around November. I really don't think you need to get it before you go away. September would be super early, no? I've never had a reaction to the shot so I usually go get it and forget about it. Have you reacted to it before? Everyone reacts differently so if you've never got the shot before than I'd wait until you get back. The flu shot itself is a copy of the dead virus to help your immune system recognize and fight it if the real thing ever does show up.

IheartDDuck said:
I think it also depends on whether or not you have ever had a reaction to a flu shot or had one at all. I've never had the flu shot before, because every person in my office who gets the flu shot gets sick every time. I on the other hand did not get the flu last year, even though I didn't get the shot. That's just me though. I would be afraid of getting sick from it too.

DisneyMom14 said:
I would wait until you get back. That's what we are going to do. I've heard the same about waiting til late Oct/early Nov. so that it lasts through spring flu season. We usually get the shots every year and this last year we didn't and guess what??? DH and DD got the flu NOT skipping it this year! But I will wait til I get back from Disney. My DH is a major germophobe as well and takes several "preventatives" like vitamin C, etc. You may want to increase your intake of Vitamin D. DH says he's read in several different places that Vitamin D fights the flu. Also, because of my stomach issues, I take probiotics daily. I find that since I've been taking them, I don't get sick as often. I read something about them helping your immune system so maybe there is something to it. Anyway, just wanted to share.

Also, I hope you are doing ok through the storm. We've been through soooo many hurricanes and they are not fun when they cause damage and leave you without electricity for days. Hoping all is well.

KatMark said:
I can't be much help because neither Mark or I get flu shots. The last time I got one, ten years ago or so, but I got sick really bad three weeks later I swore them off. I'm sure you'll make the decision that is best for you.

Shannon84 said:
Wish I could help, but I haven't had a flu shot since I was a kid...I usually get sick the last day of Disney no matter what, but thats mainly from running around all week but I don't really ever get sick with the flu -- knock on wood!! Hopefully somone can give you some good advice

Hope the hurricane didnt hit you too hard...a lot of trees down around and I am one of the few in my area with power

jenneth79 said:
I get my flu shot every year around the end of October / early November. Not even sure which strain you'd get if you got it before you left. Sometimes they come out with the "new" shots around the end of September.

I have always been one of those who didn't get sick even without the flu shot, then my doctor told me that even if I don't get sick, I could pass it on to someone else if I don't get the shot.

Gotten it every year since, and never had a problem. You should be fine waiting, though!

amyrella said:
I say get it before. But I'm a healthcare worker. You CAN NOT get the flu from the flu shot yourself. Those who get sick after already had something in thief immune system and it's coincidence. My manager did not get one last year and ended up with the swine flu, she is now getting the clumsily this year. She said she wanted to die. Some people who have the flu do NOT even have flu symptoms but are contagious.

I say get it a couple weeks before you go.

Simba22 said:
i would definitely wait until you come back BUT...bring disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer with you.... After what happened to my BF last year, I wouldn't take any chances. Think about how many people touch the surfaces at WDW on a daily basis....

I'm not saying to go crazy and wipe down every door knob, but definitely wipe down the table when you eat QS and definitely wash your hands or use sanitizer before eating.

KatMark said:
Great advice, Ali. We do this every trip...wipe the tables with the disinfecting wipes and I carry a hand sanitizer with me too.

Simba22 said:
After DBF's "Barfday" I won't be taking any chances on future trips. He thought it was the cheese sauce from Casey's that made him sick but I'd be willing to bet it was probably germs from all of the stuff he touched leading up to that meal.

Hi guys! I thought I'd reply to everyone all at once, instead of doing it one by one, since I'll basically be saying the same thing to everyone!

Thank you guys, for the advice! I think I'm going to wait until after my trip to get the flu shot. I just don't want to take ANY chances of getting sick before my trip, and I know you can't get sick from the flu shot, but I don't want to chance having any weird reactions or side effects! I've always been fine from the flu shot before, but you never know, this year may be different!

I'm always a freak about vitamins before a Disney trip, so I've already started taking lots of vitamin C to boost my immune system. I also take a mutli-vitamin, and wash my hands obsessively, so hopefully I'll be ok!

I will also be bringing vitamins down there with me, along with tons of hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes! I always bring them on the plane to wipe down everything, and then again in the resort room, but this year, I'll probably bring them into the parks too! :thumbsup2

When I get back, I'll get the flu shot that week, because that's normally when I'd get it, so I don't see any reason to change it this year, just because of my trip!

In other news...it's time to do the

ONE MONTH DANCE!!!

:dance3: