Flu Shots

**lynnzop**[$] · #1 11-02-2006, 02:30 PM

Just curious if you arre getting one or not.

I have been advised by my GP to get one (and a pnemonia shot too) because of my asthma.

I have been told by my chiro not to buy into the flu shot hype and not to get one.

I'm leaning toward the chiro's advice because I hate to get shots. (My GP wickedly grinned and said "but you are used to shots now with your allergy shots!" I shot him back The Look and said "Used to and enjoying it are two entirely different things.")

erik_kosberg · #2 11-02-2006, 02:33 PM

I'm definitely getting a flu shot. Other than being allergic to eggs, I don't see why anyone wouldn't.

**mjfrombuffalo**[$] · #3 11-02-2006, 02:40 PM

every year. First year I got the flu shot was the first year since I was 18 that I didn't get a serious miss-work-for-a-week strep throat/tonsillitis episode, and I've gotten the flu shot every year ever since.

**theworm**[$] · #4 11-02-2006, 02:57 PM

never had one.

**lynnzop**[$] · #5 11-02-2006, 03:19 PM

I used to get them all the time. I haven't gotten one for a few years, and haven't really had more than a bad cold since I started the allergy shots. (I think that's about the time I stopped getting flu shots too).

*emeleel* · #6 11-02-2006, 04:43 PM

Never bothered, here.

MiracleMax · #7 11-02-2006, 04:59 PM

I've gotten then here and there throughout the years, but haven't for a couple years now and am not planning on getting one this year. I don't mind shots at all, so it really wouldn't be an issue. I just never bother to get it, I guess.

**theworm**[$] · #8 11-02-2006, 05:03 PM

It's so funny. We had this discussion last year, and until then, I only thought they were for seniors and people at high risk. I guess maybe I should get one. Don't like shots though. IF I go back to my doc this year (likely) I'll ask.

magenta321 · #9 11-02-2006, 08:38 PM

I got mine today at work.

My poor mom works in a hospital out-patient facility and they're not offering them to her office, which I think is crazy.

Mom works for the competition to my company, so I told her to make sure she tells her manager I got mine today. I told her to leave out the part where I had to pay $15 for mine.

In 2004 I said I didn't need the flu shot. I had a fever of 102 on Xmas Eve, and was hoping it would reach 103 so I could go to the emergency room and NOT have to deal with the company that was coming over that day. I had the chills, the sweats, the nausea, the aches, coughing, wheezing, you name it. Then we had an oven fire, I sprayed the fire extinguisher all over the fire, and coated everything in the kitchen with the stuff. So we had to throw out not just our turkey, but everything that was being prepped in the kitchen.

I had to go out immediately to the store to get a new element for our oven so we could cook (they definately wouldn't have been open the next day!) and get a new Xmas Eve dinner. I asked random strangers what kind of meat cooks fast and people would like it since I didn't eat red meat or know anything about it.

I came home to both of my parents still trying to get the dust from the fire extinguisher out of the oven, and it was covering every single surface in the entire home.

Now I get the flu shot. At least if we have another Christmas from hell, I am hoping I'll be well enough to deal with it.

Incidentially, I don't think I've had a single Xmas where I wasn't seriously sick since I graduated college

eris esoteric · #10 11-02-2006, 08:51 PM

Quote:

erik_kosberg said

I'm definitely getting a flu shot. Other than being allergic to eggs, I don't see why anyone wouldn't.

Well, my immune system works, so there's reason number one.

Reason number two, I'm not sure it's all that necessary.

Reason number three, if the silly things do work, they're highly recommended for the very young and the very old, and I'm neither. And every damn year there's some emergency with the quantity, so since my immune system works and I'm neither very old or very young, I figure it's best to opt out, and leave more for the people who really need it.

magenta321 · #11 11-02-2006, 08:55 PM

There's more than enough this year.

And haven't you ever had the flu? I'm sure I've gotten it AT LEAST once every 5 years or so. It was worse than having pneumonia in many respects.

**pippadaisy**[$] · #12 11-02-2006, 09:23 PM

I've had the flu one year... the year I got the flu shot.

I won't get it.

a) I don't need it
b) I think we are over-vaccinating, which is why allergies are getting worse
c) It still contains thimerosal

P.S. Margaret, for future reference, oven fires burn out on their own with nothing more than the need for an oven cleaning. No oxygen= no fire. Just keep the door shut.

phoenixx · #13 11-02-2006, 09:27 PM

This asthma / allergy sufferer does not, has not and will not get the flu shot. My immune system works. It's good to be sick once in a while, it helps it keep working. You should avoid antibacterial products and play in the dirt sometimes, too.

**Prepoia**[$] · #14 11-02-2006, 11:32 PM

My immune system works but I always get the flu shot and never the flu. A pinch of a shot beats having the flu. I work with lots of sick kids (whose parents WANT them IN school no matter what) and I haven't had the flu since getting the shot every year. I figure there's no good reason to get sick when I may be able to prevent it. Sort of like taking vitamins. No proof they do anything but if they might help, worth it.

For the old, infirm or infants only if there's a shortage. There's no shortage this year. I am not old, infirm, or an infant and since there's no shortage can't use it as an excuse. I think we take way too many antibiotics but aren't over vaccinated. In fact, maybe I'll use less antibiotics if I stay healthy.

But, everyone has to do what's best for them.

**jgibson2**[$] · #15 11-03-2006, 02:16 AM

I work in a neonatal ICU. I'm not concerned about catching the flu from my patients, but I'd hate to take it in to them. I got the shot.

My husband gets it every year, but he has asthma. My middle son gets it because he's an EMT and they won't let him ride the ambulance if he doesn't.

My oldest son is 25, has no health problems and no significant exposure risks, so he (with his mother's blessing) does not get it. My youngest is 11 and his pediatrician does not encourage it. I guess he was ahead of the latest research which says that while giving the flu shot to kids may protect their grandparents, it doesn't do much for low risk kids. Apparently the flu mist does a better job, but can't be given to kids under 6.

**hadassahchana**[$] · #16 11-03-2006, 09:53 AM

I have asthma and don't get it- what Pippa said. I had the flu twice the first year I got it. My doctor assued me that it was just my immune system gearing up to fight off the flu.

The next year I tried to beg off getting it, but she bugged me (even calling me at home, and calling Kevin at work!) until I gave in. And promptly had a horrible allergic reaction - throat swelled, hives, lips that looked like sofas, I ended up in emerg - and the ER doc told me that if I'd gotten sick from having it the year before, I shouldn't have gotten it the next year. He told me that getting the flu from the flu shot can sometimes indicate that an allergy is building up against the vaccine. Since that was the only year ever that I've gotten the real flu and not just a stomach bug, I'll take my chances with no flu shot.

**jgibson2**[$] · #17 11-03-2006, 03:19 PM

ER doc is right, of course. NOBODY who has had a bad reaction to the flu shot should have it again. Flu is much easier to treat than anaphylaxis.

murasaki · #18 11-03-2006, 03:54 PM

Army mandates that I will get one, so I do. And I've never had the flu. I also have a child who is considered high risk so I get one to prevent passing it along to her as well.

eris esoteric · #19 11-03-2006, 09:56 PM

Not being in any sort of situation where I'm afraid of giving it to vulnerable people (like Judy) or getting it over and over again (any of our teachers on the board) I really don't see a need for it. If I get the flu, I get the flu.

And while there isn't any shortages issue this year, this year I'm dealing with the whole "my body is so stressed right now that any additional stressor is triggering my hives" issue, I don't want to push it.

**drmomentum**[$] · #20 11-03-2006, 10:40 PM

When M was especially at risk, having a weakened immune system, I got it every year.

I didn't last year for the first time in a while. I'm not sure this year if I will get it. I used to think it was really important, now I don't really feel I know for sure.

I'm leaning more toward yes, though.

**thinkerlady**[$] · #21 11-03-2006, 11:21 PM

I got it. I get it every year. I would not risk not getting it. My children get it too. They live in dorms. It is necessary.

Lynn, I was under the impression that the pneumonia shot was for the elderly only. You can get it only once in your lifetime. At least that is how my mom explained it to me.

**Prepoia**[$] · #22 11-04-2006, 12:13 AM

After my lung surgery, I got the flu shot and they also recommended the pneumonia shot. They told me it lasts for 5 to 7 years and to then get another one. That one, by the way, they only recommend for people with chronic or some sort of lung problems (past or present).

**lynnzop**[$] · #23 11-04-2006, 12:40 AM

Angie, my GP told me that since I'm in a high risk group (okay, so I have clinical asthma, I'm starting to doubt this high risk crap, because I can't even remember the last time I had to use my inhaler) I should have the pneumonia shot now and don't need a booster again until I'm like, 60 something.

I'm leaning more and more toward giving him the big raspberry and hoping he doesn't prove me wrong.