Anyone getting a flu shot?

[bassin_bug]

It was mandatory I have one when I was in the Army, 1984. Within 2 days I had the worst case of the flu ever! I think they used me as a guinnea pig. I havent had one since but with all the stuff going around Im still afraid to get one, but kinda want one. Anyone take the shots annually and do good with them? Im sceered I will get the flu again from the shot!

I had a regular flu shot a week ago (Fluvirin 2009-2010)) and, other than slight soreness at the injection site, and a low grade fever for the rest of the day, which is normal, I'm fine. They gave me an information sheet on the flu vaccine and it said the vaccine that is injected is made from DEAD virus; the nasal spray type is a WEAK LIVE vaccine. Some people believe they are getting live virus injected but that is not true; you can't get the flu from taking a flu shot. My husband also had his shot and hardly knew he had taken it.

I have been taking flu shots for a long time and have not had as much as a cold within the past six years. I admit to being somewhat paranoid about shaking hands and carry antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizer at all times. I wipe the handles on shopping carts before using them also, just in case.

[DJD]

I admit to being somewhat paranoid about shaking hands and carry antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizer at all times. I wipe the handles on shopping carts before using them also, just in case.

LOL...me too Bug. I'll shake hands without hesitation but I'll keep my hands off my face and wash them or sanitize them when I can. Working around hospitals and schools can make you paranoid. Some of hose little buggers cough and sneeze without covering their mouth....yuck!

[know1]

Not getting it. Never have and I don't remember the last time I had the flu. Maybe 20 years ago?

To some degree, I think most of this talk about the flu is just hype. Anymore, it seems that people almost think it's life or death if they don't get the shot.

Has the flu gotten worse in the last 20 years or has the hype gotten worse?

A little off topic, but I'm a believer that exposure to at least some germs and letting your body naturally get rid of them is good for you. If we never let ourselves come into contact with germs, don't you think eventually we'll be a lot weaker and far more susceptible to some epidemic?

[kyfanatic]

I've got a regular flu shot the past couple years as has my wife and youngest son and none of us have been sick with plenty of others in our area having the flu.The H1N1 virus worries me though as the vaccine isn't out yet and there have been a dozen cases in my son's elementary school.Bishop Broussard School in Alexandria,Ky closed due to epidemic of the H1N1 virus,there have been multiple deaths in children up through college age students in the Greater Cincinnati Area,It is not Hype.
Xavier University was pondering shutting down and there have been two deaths at Miami,Oh University in the past few days.On top of the "Swine" Flu there is a bad viral pnuemonia going around also.I only hope my son gets by until the vaccine comes out,my family intends to take the shot when it's available,silly to take chances.

http://nky.cincinnati.com/article/AB...40349/-1/today

[know1]

I've got a regular flu shot the past couple years as has my wife and youngest son and none of us have been sick with plenty of others in our area having the flu.The H1N1 virus worries me though as the vaccine isn't out yet and there have been a dozen cases in my son's elementary school.Bishop Broussard School in Alexandria,Ky closed due to epidemic of the H1N1 virus,there have been multiple deaths in children up through college age students in the Greater Cincinnati Area,It is not Hype.
Xavier University was pondering shutting down and there have been two deaths at Miami,Oh University in the past few days.On top of the "Swine" Flu there is a bad viral pnuemonia going around also.I only hope my son gets by until the vaccine comes out,my family intends to take the shot when it's available,silly to take chances.

http://nky.cincinnati.com/article/AB...40349/-1/today

This strain of the H1N1 flu has shown to have less health ramifications to those who contract it than does the regular flu.

I think it's just a way for drug companies to get people to take 2 shots this year.

[kyfanatic]

I never took a flu shot in my life until I started 2 years ago,but about in 2006 I caught some strain of either flu or upper respiratory virus that knocked me down for over a week and I'm a strong person.I don't recall hearing of many influenza deaths from normal varities except in elderly or weakened individuals,but a 23 year old girl just died from H1N1 at Miami University and a 26 year old man at UC.

[bassin_bug]

Not getting it. Never have and I don't remember the last time I had the flu. Maybe 20 years ago?

To some degree, I think most of this talk about the flu is just hype. Anymore, it seems that people almost think it's life or death if they don't get the shot.

Has the flu gotten worse in the last 20 years or has the hype gotten worse?

A little off topic, but I'm a believer that exposure to at least some germs and letting your body naturally get rid of them is good for you. If we never let ourselves come into contact with germs, don't you think eventually we'll be a lot weaker and far more susceptible to some epidemic?

"Anymore, it seems that people almost think it's life or death if they don't get the shot."

What about my friend who has ALS, or my husband who is a heart patient, or people who have asthma, or Muscular Dystrophy patients. It IS a matter of life and death if they don't get the shots.

Yep, you believe that exposure to germs is good for you. What about malnourished children, and they are in the good old USA, who eat dirt to fill their empty bellies? I don't believe their immune system is quite strong enough to kick out the bad germs and keep the good ones.
jmo

[know1]

"Anymore, it seems that people almost think it's life or death if they don't get the shot."

What about my friend who has ALS, or my husband who is a heart patient, or people who have asthma, or Muscular Dystrophy patients. It IS a matter of life and death if they don't get the shots.

Yep, you believe that exposure to germs is good for you. What about malnourished children, and they are in the good old USA, who eat dirt to fill their empty bellies? I don't believe their immune system is quite strong enough to kick out the bad germs and keep the good ones.
jmo

Obviously, there are people for whom the flu shot is not only a good idea, but necessary. I wasn't talking about those people. Perhaps I should have clarified that, but I thought it was relatively obvious.

My opinion is that the majority of people do not need one.