OT-Flu Shots

[Country Kids]

I've never had one but was way to sick last year not to consider getting one this year.

The only thing that stops me is I've heard you can get the flu from getting the shot. I really don't want to get the flu shot if I'm going to get sick.

Is this true that you can get sick?

[saved4always]

I got my flu shot a week and a half ago. I am not sure if that is true or not, but I have never gotten the flu from it.

[youretooloud]

I'm almost 100% positive that you can NOT get the flu from the vaccine. I think the nasal mist could maaaybe cause the flu, but I think that's also highly unlikely.

I DO know that some people have bad reactions to the flu shot. But, if you've had bad reactions to any vaccines in the past, you already know this.

I, personally do not get the shot, but I love that everybody else around me does.

[Kelly]

You can't get the flu from the flu shot. Youcan still get the flu in spite of the shot (the shot only covers certain strains) but it's not as likely. And you can still get the "stomach flu" because it really isn't a flu virus at all.

My 3 kids and I always get the flu shot and none of us has ever had the flu.

http://www.portlandpediatric.com/panw-blog/i/

[e.j.]

The flu shot is made from dead flu viruses so you can't get the flu from the flu shot. When they develop the flu shot each year, they take an educated guess at which flu strains are going to be prevelent that year. You can get a strain of flu that isn't covered by the shot. You can also get the flu if you've been exposed to the flu virus before you get the shot or if you get the flu virus before your shot has time to "kick in" - about 2 weeks. Here's a link to the cdc that has a good explanation:

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/flushot.htm#cantheflu

Since I've been getting the flu shot, I haven't had the flu. It's well worth getting the shot as far as I'm concerned.

[countrymom]

I've never had the shot and refuse to, DON'T DO IT. your body needs to build up antibodies to fight against the flu. I rarely get sick. And most of my dck's don't get it either, but the ones that do are so sick all the time, and I have alot of people who are starting to find that by getting the shot that they are getting sick and yes with the flu, and some are getting it so bad. Good handwashing, extra vitamin c and opening your windows will help. My own children are rarley sick too, so I must be doing something right.

[makap]

I've never had the shot and refuse to, DON'T DO IT. your body needs to build up antibodies to fight against the flu. I rarely get sick. And most of my dck's don't get it either, but the ones that do are so sick all the time, and I have alot of people who are starting to find that by getting the shot that they are getting sick and yes with the flu, and some are getting it so bad. Good handwashing, extra vitamin c and opening your windows will help. My own children are rarley sick too, so I must be doing something right.

Yes this!!!!!!!

[SilverSabre25]

I've never had the shot and refuse to, DON'T DO IT. your body needs to build up antibodies to fight against the flu. I rarely get sick. And most of my dck's don't get it either, but the ones that do are so sick all the time, and I have alot of people who are starting to find that by getting the shot that they are getting sick and yes with the flu, and some are getting it so bad. Good handwashing, extra vitamin c and opening your windows will help. My own children are rarley sick too, so I must be doing something right.

Yes, this, and Vitamin D too! Supplements or "au naturel" (go outside!)

Furthermore, there is a complication that is VERY serious and is related to the flu shot--Guillan-Barre Syndrome. It's a nasty, nasty condition that takes years to recover from. Mostly it's not well-understood but there have been positive linkages to flu shots.

[Crazy8]

I got the flu shot ONCE in my life - I was in my early 20's so this was long ago, LOL, but I got the shot and was SICK AS A DOG the very next day. You can't tell me I didn't get sick from that stupid shot. Now, I'm sure things have changed in 10-15 years but I still won't get that darn shot and I've never gotten it for my kids either and we are all very healthy. They passed a law here that daycare/preschool kids have to have it but fortunately my DS was just past the age they required it.

[Daycarelady1979]

My husband gets a free flu shot every year at work...and every year he gets sick. I personally think its insane. I do not get a flu shot and neither do my own children.

[MNMum]

Never had a problem with the injection, however, I will never get the nasal mist again- I was immediately sick from it. The nasal mist is a live attenuated virus, the injection is not.

[momofsix]

I get the shot every year because I'm high risk (had open heart surgery 7 years ago) and my Dr. says I should. My dd that has asthma gets it every year too usually, last year for some reason she didn't get it and she caught the flu-not good for someone with asthma at all. Dr. was not very happy with us for not getting it for her. My dh has other risk factors and gets it too. Oldest dd is USAF and has to get it.
Out of 8 people in our family four get it and 4 don't. No one has gotten sick from the shot. Those that haven't had the shot haven't gotten sick either. For a normally healthy person I wouldn't recommend it-if you get the flu you get it and get over it in a week or so. You were sick so much that it might be worth it for you though.

[Oneluckymom]

You don't get sick from the flu shot. At most you may develop muscle tenderness from it. People with compromised immune systems should ALWAYS get the flu shot...this includes people with asthma and severe allergies (this is a type of auto immune disorder).

Healthy people with strong immune systems usually can go with out geting the shot because they are healthy whereas the old, weak, or very young generally have weak immune sysytems.

Eating a healthy diet and plenty of excercise (and sleep) will help, but a flu shot is a good idea to be on the safe side.

Gaillan Barre Syndrome.....is EXTREMELY rare.

[Lianne]

My feeling is that the flu shot is necessary for some people (Elderly or compromised immune systems) but I choose not to get one and I wouldn't get one for my children if I had any. I feel it's important to build up natural immunities to such things and that by preventing them with these vaccines causes superbugs to develop.

[canadiancare]

My husband works at a hospital. We all get the flu shot every year. We have never gotten the flu. We also wash our hands all the time and don't wear outdoor shoes in the house.

I believe in the shot and encourage people to get it but I don't force any of my daycare families to do so.

I just noticed that I have an avatar. I didn't make that but thanks to whoever did.