Does the flu shot really work?

[sayd]

Has anyone ever gotten a flu shot and still contracted the flu?

Yes, last year (2012) both my husband and I got the flu shot in November. In January 2013, we both came down with the flu and could barely get out of bed for 3 weeks.

 

[nomoresorrow]

For those concerned about mercury, otherwise being referred to as "thimerosal", contained in the influenza vaccine - understand that there are two different types of mercury; methylmercury = harmful and IS NOT the type of mercury used in the IV. Ethylmercury = nonharmful (only stays in the system a short time/does not build up... and IS used in the IV. More at this link...
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/concerns/thimerosal/thimerosal_faqs.html

 

[justbeachy]

DH just got home from work and told me that one of his co-workers had died from the flu. It was a gentleman in his 50s who had contracted the flu about a month ago. He ended up with pneumonia and was in the hospital on a ventilator. Unfortunately, they weren't able to save his life.

As a side note, one of the guys I work out with at the gym got his flu shot in October. Came down with the flu (actual flu, verified by doctor) in December. Thankfully he is fine, but it took several weeks and he is still not 100%.

 

[sfbaynancydrew]

How tragic. I feel so badly for his family. The swine flu is horrible. I say this as one of the few that survived in October 2009. When I was admitted, the X-ray showed a lower lobar pneumonia. The cat scan the next morning showed an 80% loss of lung function. I could not breathe and could not support myself to walk. Very rapidly, specialists were at my bedside and I was given huge amounts of steroids and antibiotics in addition to breathing treatments every two hours and oxygen. The virus affected my heart and I was diagnosed with a viral cardiomyopathy. Most people don't live 3 days past diagnosis. I was extremely lucky to have survived. One of the few that did, diagnosed that month and year. I am not the same person I was prior, cognitively or physically.

If you can get the vaccine, I implore you to do so. JMO

Zuri, thank god you survived. The hallmark of my entire flu experience is vivid memories of the severe attack on my lungs. My first and only time I'd have to use inhalers, the first and only time I remember it hurting to just breathe.

Ugh, I shudder even remembering it and you sound like you had a much more severe case.

I still remember how perilously close I felt to the slippery slope that you were heading down that landed you in the hospital and others to death. It's SO scary.

 

[StarryNight]

I actually wish there were a way for doc's offices to have 2 separate waiting rooms. One for those there for an illness and those there for routine check ups, vaccinations, and non-contagious injuries. I mean, it wouldn't be 100% effective, I'm sure, but it would reduce the risk.

I am always nervous taking my daughter to a routine checkup because there are sick kids there being seen for everything. JMO

I agree! I myself hate going to the doctor simply because I sit there in the waiting room looking around nervously, wondering what's wrong with all the other people that are sitting around me. I never even pick up a magazine or touch anything in the waiting room if I can help it. I wish I could just go in and wear a mask and gloves, but then people would be looking at me, wondering what was wrong with ME haha.

I didn't get a flu shot this year, because a woman at work scared me to death by telling me about the things she'd read were in the shot this year. But after seeing all the deaths from flu so far this year, I have to say I'm definitely reconsidering and might still go get a shot. This is the first year in awhile that I haven't taken one, and probably would have already had one if my coworker hadn't scared me. I've never had the flu after taking a shot, not even a mild case of flu. I have a fairly strong immune system, but I feel like the flu shot certainly can't hurt in addition to my good immune system.

 

[T4Tide]

http://www.kptv.com/story/24361002/doctors-confirm-oregon-boy-5-dies-from-h1n1-virus

He had a nasal spray done in November, and still died from the flu.

Except while they are "technically" attributing his death to the flu, he really died due to asphyxia because of his compromised airway. Small children have smaller airways in general, but some people are genetically predisposed to having problems with it. Out of four kids, I've only had one that had repetitive bouts of croup as a child, and we were told his airway was susceptible. This little boy obviously had had prior bouts with croup, as described by his mother. In that case, any respiratory illnesses has the power to kill.... even the common cold.

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[lisser]

Except while they are "technically" attributing his death to the flu, he really died due to asphyxia because of his compromised airway. Small children have smaller airways in general, but some people are genetically predisposed to having problems with it. Out of four kids, I've only had one that had repetitive bouts of croup as a child, and we were told his airway was susceptible. This little boy obviously had had prior bouts with croup, as described by his mother. In that case, any respiratory illnesses has the power to kill.... even the common cold.

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I agree. Which is why I think the fear the media spreads over the flu is too much. There are so many viruses that kill on a regular basis, and just as many, if not more than the flu. It's not entirely preventable, vaccinated or not.

I really would like to know the actual numbers of the people who have succumbed to the complications from getting the flu that were vaccinated more than 2 weeks prior to getting the illness.

 

[grateful1]

I voted other. I have never felt like I needed it. Even thought I know I am not smarter than the CDC. :waitasec:
But I am not around small children (none of my own yet) and don't come in contact with sick people in line of work. I am very healthy. I rarely even get a cold. So I have never felt the need.

 

[Zuri]

I just learned today that if a family member has the flu, other family members that would be considered"at risk" can be treated with Tamiflu prophylactically. Instead of taking one pill twice a day for 5 days (which is the treatment for actual flu to abate symptoms), it is one pill a day for 10 days.

People with the flu shed the virus almost immediately when they have a fever. They stop shedding the virus when the fever stops. This is what makes it so dangerous. People may be unaware they are "coming down" with the flu and continue to interact with others. JMO

 

[Cherry]

Had to vote no; allergies to mycins; all forms which it's grown in the egg embryo with. Hency, this strain I have tested postive for is the pandemic strain; and I'm home now but feeling awful still; after a week in hospital. I thought I was going to die to be honest. I'll keep you all posted but if you become ill with flu; start to feel better; then you start crashing; a few times and over again get to the ER and get swabbed. It's a simple nasal swab; I spent a week in isolation. I'm so grateful to be alive and home but am serious comprimised and weak. Very weak.

 

[Cherry]

I voted other. I have never felt like I needed it. Even thought I know I am not smarter than the CDC. :waitasec:
But I am not around small children (none of my own yet) and don't come in contact with sick people in line of work. I am very healthy. I rarely even get a cold. So I have never felt the need.

I was too ill to even figure out how I GOT exposed; until I got back home and remembered my housekeeper was sick the last two times she was hear. My mistake, she's fired. She knew I was immunosuppressed. I'm really angry. Still. All my veins are blown; I look horrific.:tantrum:

But; even though I'm weak at LEAST I'm attempting to communicate; which I totally shut down....so very unlike me. It was a very scary feeling to push all I loved away like that. I couldn't and wouldn't take calls; the Zosyn made me **** tar stools for a week; so did the virus, and horrific gas. It also triggered a violent migraine. With IV's going off and all the sound and flourescent lighting in hospital; I had a very difficult time. :scared::scared:

Everyone had to gown up mask and gloves to even breach the room. So while I'm grateful; I'm really angry; that I would hire someone and they would know I'm immune compromised and they didn't stay home! If you are really sick with flu symptoms do NOT spread it by going to work. But watch yourself if you are home alone a lot or even just for the day. I totally went downhill fast. I don't really remember much of New Years Eve on. I had time loss; malaise, I couldnt even smile or talk.

 

[Minette]

Cherry, I am SO SORRY you were that frighteningly ill and I'm glad you're home and doing better. I'm angry with your ex-housekeeper, too. I can't stand the weakness that comes after being so ill--I'm used to thinking of myself as a pretty tough cookie so it frightens me to be so fragile. Do you have help to run errands or whatever else you need for a few days??

I'm just going to throw this out there--because there *are* so many immunosuppressed people other there or those with allergies to the component of the vaccine (I have a mild egg allergy but can still get the shot as long as I'm monitored afterwards for a while) please consider getting vaccinated just to keep the flu virus from having another person to spread from. Also, for goodness sake, teach your kids to cover their mouths when they sneeze and cough--I felt like I was on an obstacle course at the grocery store last night dodging all the airborne mucous droplets! If you don't have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your elbow.

It wasn't just kids doing it, of course, but I figure once you are grown up it's probably too late to teach you any new tricks.

 

[ChickyGirl]

I hear people still get the flu. I'm a little scared of the shot. I never get one and I don't get the flu. Maybe if I get the flu one day, I will get the shot next time.

I'm really not out enough to catch it.

 

[LinasK]

Happy to report my husband got his flu shot today!

 

[Lalee]

My youngest son who is 11 got the flu shot. My oldest who is 13 did not. The whole family got the flu except the oldest??? Go figuare!!

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[wfgodot]

Well, not getting one this year absolutely did not help, lol; I have had flu since about Friday last.

 

[trenchmouth]

Before you decide to get the flu shot do your own research on the efficacy and don't trust everything the CDC and mainstream doctors tell you. They are all bought and sold by the pharmaceutical industry. If you live a healthy life style I don't see the need for a flu shot since there are known side effects. Getting a flu shot doesn't guarantee you won't get the flu. It's questionably effective against only a few strains.

I've never had a flu shot and am in my late 40s. Only had the flu a few times and my body did it's job and fought it off. You're better off with preventative measures like keeping your hands clean, eating healthy, getting enough sleep, drinking plenty of water, and optimising vitamin D levels and healthy Omega fats. All my opinion of course.

Before getting a shot consider reading :

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/10/22/flu-vaccine-effectiveness.aspx

http://www.undergroundhealth.com/10-reasons-why-flu-shots-are-more-dangerous-than-the-flu/

I realize for every article or recommendation to avoid the shot there are 10 saying you should get it. However, avoiding the flu shot and additional vaccines has worked for my family.










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[Tawny]

Elderberry syrup helps to prevent and treat the flu. It doesn't cure it if you have it, but it helps you to fight it off faster.

 

[rob]

Last year I had the flu for the first time in 10 or 15 yrs. It almost killed me. I decided that flu is worse now OR that having it at age 52 was worse. I went to the dr, and they stuck that q-tip down my throat, and the test said I had H1N1. They gave me tami-flu, but for the next 2 days I felt so bad, and had severe muscle aches in my legs. I had never had that before, so I called the dr's office back, and the nurse told me that is a part of the flu. Any way, after that, I had my first flu shot this year. My hubby has one every year because of his job, and so far, has never had the flu after taking it.

 

[FL Wannabe]

I answered other... did not have the shot, not opposed to it, just didn't get it.

I had the flu for the first time as a result of my six month old grandson being hospitalized for it for three days.... who was to hold and comfort him - I was bedside the whole time? He was released on Sunday and Monday morning I thought death would be a welcome relief from this illness...and I don't say that lightly. I got tested (positive, of course) and prescribed Tamiflu. Two days later, I was on the road to recovery. That was eight years ago, and I had faithfully gotten a shot each year since.

This year, I just procrastinated... and had the flu the week before Christmas. I could not see my doctor in time for the scrip - I got sick on Friday, and didn't realize it was not just a bad migraine (and had no obvious contaminating person)... I could not get out of bed, slept all but about an hour the first day - four hours the next. I was able to drag out of bed Monday, had no fever and went in to the office, grabbed my computer and returned home to work remotely. On Tuesday, they asked me to come in - and I did - but I felt soooo bad about possibly exposing coworkers. Even now, I can get wiped out by the end of the day, and it's almost a month later. It was HE!! going through the holidays with such bone-deep fatigue!

Next year, I will be first in line.