Flu shots

[Sojourner]

Two years ago, I got a flu shot for the first time because we get free ones at work. Despite the shot, I got the flu, and was so sick my mother wouldn't let me come home for Christmas. A few months later, I had a stomach flu, which was also awful.

Last year: no shot, no illnesses.

Coincidence?

The question has come up because it is once again flu shot season, and I must soon decide whether or not to partake. I'm ambivalent about it.


***note: another factor to consider is that during the "sick" year I lived in very close proximity to a family with small children, aka "germ bearers." They moved to Costa Rica during the "not sick" year, and so I am willing to concede the possibility that it was the children, and not the flu shot, who ushered the flu into my life. ***

[Jedi_StClaire]

Yes they are for the elderly and younger children who are more vulnerable. I can't get a flu shot because I am allergic to latex (or so we think) and they use latex with the flu shot?

One way to not spread the germs is not doing the sign of peace during the cold and flu season - that's what my Parish does.

[Piccoli Fiori JMJ]

I have to get it every year because of my asthma...

[Cow of Shame]

*shrug* I got one last year, and it was the first time I've ever been well throughout the cold season.

the shot hurt like hell, though....I dunno if I'll bother to get another one this year, if it's available.

[stargirl3:16]

never had one, never gotten the flu...

[Piccoli Fiori JMJ]

[quote name='Cow of Shame' date='Oct 4 2005, 10:36 PM']*shrug* I got one last year, and it was the first time I've ever been well throughout the cold season.

the shot hurt like hell, though....I dunno if I'll bother to get another one this year, if it's available.
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Last year;s hurt much worse than the year before, but before that, those shots didn't hurt that bad...
I'm hoping that it won't hurt to much this time
I'm such a pansy when it comes to needles...

[PadrePioOfPietrelcino]

It is a better idea to eat a proper diet, of the right fresh and raw fruits and veggies. This boosts the body's effeciency level and lets the body heal what it needs to heal, when it needs to heal it rather than forcing it to take care of something NOW, and causeing other possible complications. If you want to know more about the idea look up Dr. Joel Robbins, he has done alot of research on proper dieting, and the negative impacts of shots, medications, ect.

[philothea]

I used to get flu shots all the time because of my asthma.

I stopped getting them when I moved and switched doctors. I got the flu less frequently than I did before. OTOH, moving to the country and not being miserable all the time might have contributed.

Nowadays, if I do happen to get the flu I have discovered the wonder of letting my immune system do its thing. I don't take any medicine; I get horribly sick for about 36 hours, and then its over. Whee.

(Then I dose myself with massive amounts of garlic to ward off bronchitis/penumonia. )

Edited October 6, 2005 by philothea

[Thumper]

I usually get a flu shot, and I haven't had a real case of the flu for years. It certainly depends upon the germs you come into contact with, and whether the folks who provide the vaccination have picked the "right" flu--in other words, that they have correctly determined which strain of flu will be the dominant bug of the season. So just because you get the shot, doesn't mean you won't come down with another strain. But if it knocks even one of those nasty viruses off the list of possibilies, I'm content

[Anastasia13]

I have chronic asthma and my mom has worse asthma but cannot get the shot. If I get sick and it goes into my lungs, it stays in my lungs. One time, I had a lung half full of mucus. I never get over being sick even close to as quickly as those who get better in 36 hours. Last time I didn't get the flu shot, I was sick with pneumonia for three months.

Unless I can be shown quite well that I should not get the shot, I'm going to try to get it.

[Carrie]

I used to get the flu every single year. I had never gotten a flu shot as a child or teen because my parents refused it.

I've gotten a flu shot every year for the last 6 years and haven't had the flu since. Only colds.

[Sojourner]

I've decided to go ahead and do it ... I'll make some chicken soup up ahead of time and freeze it, just in case.

[Cow of Shame]

[quote name='Sojourner' date='Oct 6 2005, 01:16 PM']I'll make some chicken soup up ahead of time and freeze it, just in case.
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That sounds disgusting.
Personally, I prefer chicken soup hot. Not cold, with greasy congealed fat globules...to each his own, I guess.

[Sojourner]

[quote name='Cow of Shame' date='Oct 6 2005, 03:13 PM']That sounds disgusting.
Personally, I prefer chicken soup hot.  Not cold, with greasy congealed fat globules...to each his own, I guess.
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Mmmm, chicken soup popsicles. You'll never know the joy of one until you've tried it.

[shelly_freak]

I don't get the shot and I haven't had the flu since I was a wee one, can't even remember it was so long ago.

[MissScripture]

Just so we're all on the same page, we do all realize that the 'flu shot has nothing to do with the stomach flu...it's for influenza...I just thought I'd point that out, as some responses made me wonder if we do know that.