Does the flu shot really work?

[Gracenote]

I'm getting my shot this week. The worst flu I remember was the year my mother died. (1994) I got it that week and my sister started symptoms on the way home from the funeral. (I simply could not go to it) We spent the next two weeks in a room together in a king sized bed horribly sick. Whoever could would get up and get us both some tea or a spoon for cough syrup. The strain that year was especially bad and several people who dragged themselves to the memorial service were recovering from it. I don't ever want to be that sick again. At my age I think it would kill me. Yes, I also know people who call every cold "the flu" or even better "stomach flu." There is a huge difference between a bad cold and influenza. There are several really interesting books out that discuss the flu of 1918 (I think) that killed so many young people. Oh and since I began to get vaccinated I have not had flu but it could be a coincidence.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Got a flu shot this morning. Haven't had one in a long time because I had an allergic reaction to the one and only flu shot I got in the past (earlier post on this thread). I have a new Primary Care Physician (who I am really going to like) who feels it's important for people my age (65) to get the vaccine. I further discussed with my allergy/asthma specialist who says it would be devastating for me to get the flu and that the allergic reaction some years ago shouldn't prohibit my getting one now as the shot is generally well-tolerated.

I didn't get dizzy and barely felt the injection this morning. Nurse told me to move my arm around a lot today to prevent soreness. I waited 10 minutes as instructed before leaving the office.

Be well.

 

[Truthy]

Yep, at least 4 out of five years they seem to work for me.

 

[La Louve]

I've been getting a flu shot for the last 4 or 5 years and for me they work.

Last year at my local Kaiser clinic I was offered a latex-free flu shot, since I have a latex allergy. Apparently the vial stoppers can be made from latex, so I got one without that type of stopper. I don't think my allergy is that sensitive but it was nice to have the option. This year's flu shot didn't come with a latex stopper so it wasn't an issue. Different doc (non Kaiser) this time might be the difference too.

 

[trenchmouth]

How do you know they work!? You probably wouldn't have got the flu in first place. I've never got a flu shot and it's been decades since having the flu.

 

[LinasK]

How do you know they work!? You probably wouldn't have got the flu in first place. I've never got a flu shot and it's been decades since having the flu.

You've been lucky. I have gotten the full-on flu when I didn't get a shot. It's no picnic. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Ever since then I've gotten the flu shot and never had a case of the flu as badly as when I wasn't vaccinated. And I've worked in high-risk environments, where I've had alot of exposure to people- nursing homes and retail.

 

[bluesneakers]

You've been lucky. I have gotten the full-on flu when I didn't get a shot. It's no picnic. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Ever since then I've gotten the flu shot and never had a case of the flu as badly as when I wasn't vaccinated. And I've worked in high-risk environments, where I've had alot of exposure to people- nursing homes and retail.

This is exactly my story. I went years without getting a shot and without getting the flu. Then I got it and ever since then I'm not willing to take the risk. I was shocked how sick I got! And I had a love/hate relationship with Nyquil. It took care of the flu symptoms but messed with my brain. I tell everyone to get vaccinated now. (Same for the shingles vaccine! Get it the minute you're eligible.)

 

[jadejazzkayla]

How do you know they work!? You probably wouldn't have got the flu in first place. I've never got a flu shot and it's been decades since having the flu.

all the people around who did get their flu shot help to keep you safe from the flu.

 

[oceanblueeyes]

I have only had the flu one time in my life and I was 22 at the time. It was the only year I had a flu shot. I probably haven't even had a cold but maybe once or twice in my entire life.

But I am 68 years old now and don't know if I should chance getting the shot again. It scares me because I was so sick when I did have the flu that one time in my life.

IMO

 

[LinasK]

I have only had the flu one time in my life and I was 22 at the time. It was the only year I had a flu shot. I probably haven't even had a cold but maybe once or twice in my entire life.

But I am 68 years old now and don't know if I should chance getting the shot again. It scares me because I was so sick when I did have the flu that one time in my life.

IMO

The "flu" you got after receiving the shot was only a mild version of what you can get unprotected from the shot. As you get older, it's especially important to get the shot because your immune system is weaker. You''ve been lucky all the years you didn't catch the full-on flu. I highly recommend you get the shot!

 

[trenchmouth]

The "flu" you got after receiving the shot was only a mild version of what you can get unprotected from the shot. As you get older, it's especially important to get the shot because your immune system is weaker. You''ve been lucky all the years you didn't catch the full-on flu. I highly recommend you get the shot!

Do you work in healthcare or for a pharmaceutical company?

 

[oceanblueeyes]

The "flu" you got after receiving the shot was only a mild version of what you can get unprotected from the shot. As you get older, it's especially important to get the shot because your immune system is weaker. You''ve been lucky all the years you didn't catch the full-on flu. I highly recommend you get the shot!

Thanks but the time I did get the flu it couldn't have been a mild version. I was even delirious at times from the persistent high fever and it went on for almost a week and then I didn't feel well even after my fever finally broke. The aches were almost unbearable. So I had to have a severe case of it. My little daughter was only 6 weeks at the time I got it and all I could do is lay in the bed and suffer. Her father had to tend to her the entire time. I don't think I have ever been that sick before. So that is why I am very reluctant now to take the shot.

I cant stand the thought of another repeat.

I do understand what you are saying though. My husband had a very severe case of the flu about three years ago but I did not get the flu then even though I was constantly nursing him back to good health.

 

[skibaboo]

I had my shot last week. I have had it every year since 2004, when I started taking azathioprine/imuran (an immunosuppresant) for my crohns. Never had any adverse effects, apart from the slightly sore arm for a day or two after. Funnily enough, I've gone years without even catching the common cold in that time, or just had a minor cold once a year. Getting the shot is a no brainer for me.

 

[bluesneakers]

I had my shot last week. I have had it every year since 2004, when I started taking azathioprine/imuran (an immunosuppresant) for my crohns. Never had any adverse effects, apart from the slightly sore arm for a day or two after. Funnily enough, I've gone years without even catching the common cold in that time, or just had a minor cold once a year. Getting the shot is a no brainer for me.

Not to single you out as a burden or anything like that, but I believe you are an example of one of the main reasons everyone should get a flu shot: herd immunity. We need to do what we can to take care of each other.

 

[Tulessa]

How do you know they work!? You probably wouldn't have got the flu in first place. I've never got a flu shot and it's been decades since having the flu.

Holds up hand. You won't know they work, until you miss one. I was the birdie that was holding up my hand, screaming don't get one. Now I'm the birdie that has the flu, and a hubby recovering from the surgery.

 

[Tulessa]

I have only had the flu one time in my life and I was 22 at the time. It was the only year I had a flu shot. I probably haven't even had a cold but maybe once or twice in my entire life.

But I am 68 years old now and don't know if I should chance getting the shot again. It scares me because I was so sick when I did have the flu that one time in my life.

IMO

And that was me.

 

[LinasK]

Do you work in healthcare or for a pharmaceutical company?

I worked in nursing homes and hospitals for 13 years as a therapist. Your point is???

 

[LinasK]

Thanks but the time I did get the flu it couldn't have been a mild version. I was even delirious at times from the persistent high fever and it went on for almost a week and then I didn't feel well even after my fever finally broke. The aches were almost unbearable. So I had to have a severe case of it. My little daughter was only 6 weeks at the time I got it and all I could do is lay in the bed and suffer. Her father had to tend to her the entire time. I don't think I have ever been that sick before. So that is why I am very reluctant now to take the shot.

I cant stand the thought of another repeat.

I do understand what you are saying though. My husband had a very severe case of the flu about three years ago but I did not get the flu then even though I was constantly nursing him back to good health.

I hear you, but unprotected you are at much higher risk of getting it than contracting it from the shot.

 

[La Louve]

For some reason I thought folks over 60 get a slightly different immunization for flu than younger populations? (in re: oceanblueeyes concerns).

The worst time I ever had the flu was in my 20s when my ex and I had just moved from California to the Pacific Northwest. We didn't have a bed and were sleeping on the floor. (don't ask lol). Anyway, having the flu and not even having a proper bed to be sick in was just the worst. As soon as I was recovered I marched my hubby down to the local department store to buy us a bed. No sooner than the bed got delivered and he came down with the flu. I was really bitter about that lol.

 

[LinasK]

For some reason I thought folks over 60 get a slightly different immunization for flu than younger populations? (in re: oceanblueeyes concerns).

The worst time I ever had the flu was in my 20s when my ex and I had just moved from California to the Pacific Northwest. We didn't have a bed and were sleeping on the floor. (don't ask lol). Anyway, having the flu and not even having a proper bed to be sick in was just the worst. As soon as I was recovered I marched my hubby down to the local department to buy us a bed. No sooner than the bed got delivered and he came down with the flu. I was really bitter about that lol.

Flu mist(nasal live vaccine) is available for those under 50. For those over 50, they also recommend a Pneumonia shot.