Influenza Season and Flu Shots

Nonpareil · 11-08-2007, 05:59 PM

I'm just curious how many of you go out to get the flu shot? I'm not sure if this shot is given out to everyone around the world but I know it's given to people here in Canada and the United States.

The flu shot is suppose to prevent people from the dangerous strains of the influenza virus by giving us the virus so that we can build up immunity to it. It is highly recommended for babies/young children, seniors, people with chronic health problems and caregivers to these people.

I personally do not get the flu shot. I work in a medical office and am exposed to all kinds of flus and bugs and people of all age groups. I think the flu shot makes it worse for me. I rarely get sick, even with all the sick people around me and the one time I got the flu shot, I was so sick, I swore I would never get it again.

So, what do you all think of the flu shot?

Do you get it?

Are you working in the health care profession?

What are your arguments for or against the flu shot?

Do you find the flu shot helpful?

I'm just curious what you all think. Thanks!

Jennifer · 11-08-2007, 06:04 PM

I get the flu shot every year.

One of my children has cystic fibrosis, so it is highly recommended everyone in our family get the shot, to prevent him from catching anything (because it would very much mess him up).

I usually don't notice any issues with it. Sometimes the shot hurts a little for the rest of the afternoon, but I usually do not get sore or chills or run-down or anything.

Nonpareil · 11-08-2007, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jennifer

I get the flu shot every year.

One of my children has cystic fibrosis, so it is highly recommended everyone in our family get the shot, to prevent him from catching anything (because it would very much mess him up).

That is a good reason to get the shot. I said to pt, I might consider it if I ever get old and really sick, but right now, I'm not a risk to anyone around me and so I rather stay away from that needle (I'm so scared of needles).

Quote:

I usually don't notice any issues with it. Sometimes the shot hurts a little for the rest of the afternoon, but I usually do not get sore or chills or run-down or anything.

Lucky you, I guess my body just rejects that foreign substance or I'm just unlucky. I'm just a wimp!

developer · 11-08-2007, 06:59 PM

If you are young and healthy (and everybody in your family is young and healthy as well), then there is no need to get the shot. If you have elderly or ill people living in your household, you should get the shot - the flu you might otherwise catch might hurt or kill them.

Real influenza (and not just common cold), is a disease that keeps you in bed with extremely high fever for about a week. Afterwards, for about another four weeks you feel very tired and weak. Everybody who ever had one of these (I did) always gets the shot from then on (I do). It's an experience you do not wish to repeat.

By the way, just saw your wedding blog. Congrats to both of you! Don't let the family politics spoil your fun....

Recoleta · 11-08-2007, 07:21 PM

If you're working in an environment where you're exposed to that type of sickness I'd go ahead and get one. Granted, you probably have a greater immunity to it just because of constant exposure, but still...

My mom is a school nurse and she got one. She also had a reaction to it, but you have to keep the pain in perspective. The shot might make you sick for a day or two, but getting the flu is really miserable! Like developer said, it can be 4 weeks before you're feeling 100% again. The only thing I've experienced that's worse than the flu is pnemonia. With that said, I've never gotten the shot...lol, but then again my body is pretty consistently invaded with influenza every year. Hmmm....maybe I should consider one myself.

My advice: Get the shot after work one day, eat dinner, take some Tylenol PM and knock yourself out until the next morning...then most of the pain will probably have passed already and you'll be well-rested

EffEmDoubleyou · 11-09-2007, 12:09 AM

I've never had a flu shot and I've never had the flu. I'm not messing with what seems to work for my body.

Ivy · 11-09-2007, 12:51 AM

I got them when my first child was under 3. But I don't believe I've ever had the actual-factual flu before or since that short window of time, so I haven't really bothered with it for Thing 2. (Not because I don't care if he gets sick, mind you.)

11-08-2007, 05:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
Nonpareil Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Type: INTJ Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 269	Influenza Season and Flu Shots I'm just curious how many of you go out to get the flu shot? I'm not sure if this shot is given out to everyone around the world but I know it's given to people here in Canada and the United States. The flu shot is suppose to prevent people from the dangerous strains of the influenza virus by giving us the virus so that we can build up immunity to it. It is highly recommended for babies/young children, seniors, people with chronic health problems and caregivers to these people. I personally do not get the flu shot. I work in a medical office and am exposed to all kinds of flus and bugs and people of all age groups. I think the flu shot makes it worse for me. I rarely get sick, even with all the sick people around me and the one time I got the flu shot, I was so sick, I swore I would never get it again. So, what do you all think of the flu shot? Do you get it? Are you working in the health care profession? What are your arguments for or against the flu shot? Do you find the flu shot helpful? I'm just curious what you all think. Thanks! __________________ Sorry for any typos, spelling or grammer errors but I'm a bit preoccupied planning my wedding. Or if you want to read more about me and help me gain more insight to your world (I do need more experiences in life), feel free to skim through my blog.

11-08-2007, 06:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jennifer The Doctor is IN Join Date: Apr 2007 Type: INtP Location: Free at last. Posts: 14,307	I get the flu shot every year. One of my children has cystic fibrosis, so it is highly recommended everyone in our family get the shot, to prevent him from catching anything (because it would very much mess him up). I usually don't notice any issues with it. Sometimes the shot hurts a little for the rest of the afternoon, but I usually do not get sore or chills or run-down or anything. __________________ Blog: Seasons of Mist

11-09-2007, 12:51 AM	#7 (permalink)
Ivy Avatar is non-ironic Join Date: Apr 2007 Type: ???? Posts: 8,074	I got them when my first child was under 3. But I don't believe I've ever had the actual-factual flu before or since that short window of time, so I haven't really bothered with it for Thing 2. (Not because I don't care if he gets sick, mind you.) __________________ I don't wanna face my fears! I'm afraid of 'em! -Spongebob

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11-08-2007, 06:59 PM	#4 (permalink)
developer Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Type: INTJ Location: Europe Posts: 116	If you are young and healthy (and everybody in your family is young and healthy as well), then there is no need to get the shot. If you have elderly or ill people living in your household, you should get the shot - the flu you might otherwise catch might hurt or kill them. Real influenza (and not just common cold), is a disease that keeps you in bed with extremely high fever for about a week. Afterwards, for about another four weeks you feel very tired and weak. Everybody who ever had one of these (I did) always gets the shot from then on (I do). It's an experience you do not wish to repeat. By the way, just saw your wedding blog. Congrats to both of you! Don't let the family politics spoil your fun....

11-08-2007, 07:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
Recoleta No me digas, che! Join Date: Aug 2007 Type: ISTJ Posts: 622	If you're working in an environment where you're exposed to that type of sickness I'd go ahead and get one. Granted, you probably have a greater immunity to it just because of constant exposure, but still... My mom is a school nurse and she got one. She also had a reaction to it, but you have to keep the pain in perspective. The shot might make you sick for a day or two, but getting the flu is really miserable! Like developer said, it can be 4 weeks before you're feeling 100% again. The only thing I've experienced that's worse than the flu is pnemonia. With that said, I've never gotten the shot...lol, but then again my body is pretty consistently invaded with influenza every year. Hmmm....maybe I should consider one myself. My advice: Get the shot after work one day, eat dinner, take some Tylenol PM and knock yourself out until the next morning...then most of the pain will probably have passed already and you'll be well-rested

11-09-2007, 12:09 AM	#6 (permalink)
EffEmDoubleyou Mr. Smartypants Join Date: Jun 2007 Type: INTJ Location: Lost Angeles Posts: 4,141	I've never had a flu shot and I've never had the flu. I'm not messing with what seems to work for my body.