Does the flu shot really work?

[BetteDavisEyes]

Who should not get a flu shot?

Influenza vaccine is not approved for children younger than 6 months of age.

People who have had a severe allergic reaction to influenza vaccine should generally not be vaccinated.

There are some people who should not get a flu vaccine without first consulting a physician.

These include:
•People who have a moderate-to-severe illness with or without a fever (they should wait until they recover to get vaccinated), and

•People with a history of Guillain–Barré Syndrome (a severe paralytic illness, also called GBS) that occurred after receiving influenza vaccine and who are not at risk for severe illness from influenza should generally not receive vaccine. Tell your doctor if you ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome. Your doctor will help you decide whether the vaccine is recommended for you.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/flushot.htm#should-not-vaccinate

 

[essi]

I think for most people in good health it is truly crazy to have the shot... It's better for our immune systems to build antibodies against the flu... Plus there are many strains of the flu that you are not being vaccinated against so there is no guarantee u won't end up with the flu.

 

[Cherry]

I've always been against getting the shot. On top of that I'm allergic to the mycin it's incubated in. So now there is the mist, the nasal vac but I would b contagious again. Being that I just went thru this horrific strain plus a week in hospital.....I am so torn. All the drs are trying to get me to take the shot. I can still barely get up. I don't want to do it. Thn again, I Hv nvr been that ill in my entire life and now see how the flu can kill. I see now how it makes you Hv the worst malaise and you just start to give up. I did. I'm still not over it.

 

[QueenD]

I think for most people in good health it is truly crazy to have the shot... It's better for our immune systems to build antibodies against the flu... Plus there are many strains of the flu that you are not being vaccinated against so there is no guarantee u won't end up with the flu.

This is exactly what I tried to explain to my Dad the other night when he told me I was crazy for not getting it. I understand him getting the shot, he is older and has COPD. I am in good health (thank you Lord) and am not getting it.

I've had them in the past the shot and every time got extremely sick, that year. Haven't gotten one in over 10 years.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

I think for most people in good health it is truly crazy to have the shot... It's better for our immune systems to build antibodies against the flu... Plus there are many strains of the flu that you are not being vaccinated against so there is no guarantee u won't end up with the flu.

:welcome: Thanks for joining us, essi.

 

[LinasK]

I've always been against getting the shot. On top of that I'm allergic to the mycin it's incubated in. So now there is the mist, the nasal vac but I would b contagious again. Being that I just went thru this horrific strain plus a week in hospital.....I am so torn. All the drs are trying to get me to take the shot. I can still barely get up. I don't want to do it. Thn again, I Hv nvr been that ill in my entire life and now see how the flu can kill. I see now how it makes you Hv the worst malaise and you just start to give up. I did. I'm still not over it.

I would advise you to wait 'till you regain your strength before you get the shot or FluMist so that you have the strength to fight it. I had a mild case, and it's still taken me two weeks to feel normal- without congestion, having energy, and no aches.

 

[Cherry]

Thank You, I feel the same. I couldn't believe they tried to schedule me for gallbladder removal when I was so ill; I said no and then the other Drs agreed. this whole illness freaked me out; I'm still trying hard to regain my strength and just haven't yet. It wiped me out in every way. I'm still crying off and on.

Something happened during my hospitalization that I have never felt before, it was this feeling, not mental not a thought but a feeling of complete acceptance that I was going to die. And I guess I'm dealing with....the daily reports of how many are dying even in hosptial...and that I survived...and I just feel...different. I can't even explain it. I've tried to explain to my husband...and then we both decided that maybe it would be better if I didn't talk about it. I can see how people die from flu. I got better, then worse, then better then CRASHED big time. Twice this happened. So I think I have some fear that I will start to get better again and my body will just crash, to the floor. Which is basically what happened. I have never not been able to care for myself so I felt like I failed. I know this isn't true...And I'm just trying to keep food down, have Bm's and get strong. I wish I could say every day I feel stronger or I feel better but I don't yet. It's totally out of my hands. This is really difficult for me; and after all I went through I don't think I could take the vaccine. I think...I'm too afraid.:tantrum: TY for advice....I'm very sensitive to meds, to drugs, and I get reactions...and I can't stand the thought of being contagious again. I was for 14 days. This flu lasts 14 days and for some a bit longer.

 

[trenchmouth]

:floorlaugh::floorlaugh::floorlaugh::floorlaugh:
Shouldn't you be wearing a tin hat to say this?

Sort of like... West va shouldn't have trusted the EPA. Oh, wait, they didn't. Thirsty anyone?

Lighten up elmo, getting your panties in a bunch over my opinion?

You have to question the motives of doctors and the CDC is all I'm saying, it's not always about clear cut science. Money and influence plays a part.

As far as you ripping on Dr. Mercola, I realize in some circles he is considered a quack. I don't subsribe to everything he says but think he is more often correct than not. You keep taking vaccines and popping pills and will see who lives longer. Have a nice day.

 

[Minette]

I don't often take medical advice from celebrities, but when I do I chose to listen to former Playboy models.

 

[Caffeinatedkat]

I have never had them, why start now?

 

[LinasK]

I have never had them, why start now?

When you get the full blown flu from not having been vaccinated, you'll be the first in line to get the flu shot! I got the flu shot, and it prevented me from getting it much worse than I had it now. I've also had the full blown flu in the past- the reactions from the shot are nothing in comparison, maybe a sore arm and a little tiredness, nausea for about 1/2 day. With the full blown flu, you can have nausea and vomiting, and high fevers for days on end. I had that and still got called into work!!! This is no pitch to make money by the CDC/pharmacies.

 

[danzn16]

I don't often take medical advice from celebrities, but when I do I chose to listen to former Playboy models.

:floorlaugh:


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[lonetraveler]

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

My sister go the flu shot at the beginning of the season and she came down with one strain of flu, two weeks later came down with another type of flu. She was tested both times positive for two different strains.

 

[techpuppy]

I try to always get a flu shot. Yes, I know it's not 100% protection. However the year I didn't get one I got a horrible case of the flu. Many "runs" to the bathroom not sure whether to sit or stand. That was bad. I ended up in the hospital. I've never had any problems from the shot itself so it's worth it for me to at least try to avoid getting the flu which can be fatal and almost was for me.

But my biggest pet peeve about illnesses and flu is: If you're sick, stay home! You don't need to be out spreading it to others.

 

[CarolinaMoon]

I've gotten the flu shot for the past two years. Up until then, I did have the flu once and it was very nasty. DH was in Europe on business and I was on my own. I could barely move from the sofa to feed my pets. Forget feeding myself other than fluids.

Even so, I didn't get the shots as I was home 99% of the time and avoid crowds at all costs.

However, I have gotten them now because we cruise frequently and am frequently among people. IMHO, better safe than sorry.

This year, the pharmacist gave me the shot. He explained that there were two different vaccines. One was for younger people. The other was for vulnerable people and older people such as myself. It apparently protects against all predicted types of flu.

I've also had shingles and it was excruciating. I got to the doctor within 14 hours of developing a rash and was prescribed Valtrex. I'd hate to think how much worse it would have gotten if I hadn't seen a doctor pronto.

As soon as it was approved for the elderly, I got the shot and haven't had shingles again. I highly recommend this for anyone whose gotten Chicken Pox.
I did have some reaction this time. I was achy and tired for a couple of days. Nothing major, though.

 

[LinasK]

I try to always get a flu shot. Yes, I know it's not 100% protection. However the year I didn't get one I got a horrible case of the flu. Many "runs" to the bathroom not sure whether to sit or stand. That was bad. I ended up in the hospital. I've never had any problems from the shot itself so it's worth it for me to at least try to avoid getting the flu which can be fatal and almost was for me.

But my biggest pet peeve about illnesses and flu is: If you're sick, stay home! You don't need to be out spreading it to others.

Yup! I know for sure now, that I got it this time while working at Kohl's over the holidays. Met up with one of my co-workers today who also got the flu.

 

[JudysSisterMaureen]

Dx with flu 2 wks ago -with complications - sinus infection and upper respiratory infection. Finished Tamiflu 2x a day, started abx 2x a day, on 10th day of abx a new virus now has me more congested with sore throat.

Make it stop! My lungs hurt from coughing so much.

 

[JudysSisterMaureen]

I try to always get a flu shot. Yes, I know it's not 100% protection. However the year I didn't get one I got a horrible case of the flu. Many "runs" to the bathroom not sure whether to sit or stand. That was bad. I ended up in the hospital. I've never had any problems from the shot itself so it's worth it for me to at least try to avoid getting the flu which can be fatal and almost was for me.

But my biggest pet peeve about illnesses and flu is: If you're sick, stay home! You don't need to be out spreading it to others.

I agree with your sentiments. I have not been out to see my customers in 3 weeks. However, what you are describing sounds like one of the stomach bugs that has been spreading like wildfire, not like influenza, a respiratory flu - has nothing to do with the runs or vomiting.

 

[Minette]

I've gotten the flu shot for the past two years. Up until then, I did have the flu once and it was very nasty. DH was in Europe on business and I was on my own. I could barely move from the sofa to feed my pets. Forget feeding myself other than fluids.

Even so, I didn't get the shots as I was home 99% of the time and avoid crowds at all costs.

However, I have gotten them now because we cruise frequently and am frequently among people. IMHO, better safe than sorry.

This year, the pharmacist gave me the shot. He explained that there were two different vaccines. One was for younger people. The other was for vulnerable people and older people such as myself. It apparently protects against all predicted types of flu.

I've also had shingles and it was excruciating. I got to the doctor within 14 hours of developing a rash and was prescribed Valtrex. I'd hate to think how much worse it would have gotten if I hadn't seen a doctor pronto.

As soon as it was approved for the elderly, I got the shot and haven't had shingles again. I highly recommend this for anyone whose gotten Chicken Pox.
I did have some reaction this time. I was achy and tired for a couple of days. Nothing major, though.

Gosh! I am scared of shingles especially since I didn't get chicken pox until I was in my early 20s--and it took me forever to get a correct diagnosis until I went back to my old pediatrician in desperation. Of course, there was nothing to be done but other doctors had diagnosed it as a food allergy, or eczema and here I was running around with a contagious illness and didn't know it! He took one look and diagnosed chicken pox and said the reason it was such a bad case and lasted so long was that I was an adult. I guess you're better off to be a kid when you contract your childhood diseases, especially because no one sympathizes when you whine about how much you itch! :floorlaugh:

Anyway, I felt very ill and worry that shingles would knock me down and out given that I have an auto-immune disorder (rheumatoid-type inflammatory arthritis, not the same as RA except in the pain factor.) But I'm not sure you can get the vaccine unless you are 60+, at least that's the CDC recommendation. I tell you one thing, the ads they use for the shingles vaccine "If you've had chickenpox, the shingles virus is ALREADY INSIDE YOU!" would do a good job of scaring me if I wasn't already.

But I'm with you, CM--better safe than sorry!

 

[LinasK]

In college, I got what I thought was a really bad sunburn.(Never had Chicken Pox as a kid, but thought my mother had gotten me immunized against it.) Turns out I apparently had the shingles, the rash was U-Shaped around my midsection from front to back, only one one side. I now show that I have immunization against Chicken Pox. Wierd!