Do You Get A Flu Shot Personally?

[Country Kids]

True influenza is NOT throwing up,etc. It's like a cold on steroids...aches, chills, fever, etc.

Here is the flu you were talking about, from History.com:

The influenza or flu pandemic of 1918 to 1919, the deadliest in modern history, infected an estimated 500 million people worldwide--about one-third of the planet’s population at the time--and killed an estimated 20 million to 50 million victims. More than 25 percent of the U.S. population became sick, and some 675,000 Americans died during the pandemic. The 1918 flu was first observed in Europe, the U.S. and parts of Asia before swiftly spreading around the world. Surprisingly, many flu victims were young, otherwise healthy adults. At the time, there were no effective drugs or vaccines to treat this killer flu strain or prevent its spread. In the U.S., citizens were ordered to wear masks, and schools, theaters and other public places were shuttered. Researchers later discovered what made the 1918 pandemic so deadly: In many victims, the influenza virus had invaded their lungs and caused pneumonia.

I remember when there was the flu a couple years ago, the main concern was similar; that's it's not the old and the weak who will be most affected. It's people with healthy immune systems. That goes against our idea of what we THINK should happen. It makes me actually consider the vaccine.

I think there was a big outbreak possibly in the 70's where alot of people died from it also. I think I remember something like that.

Maybe I'll buck it up and go get it but wondering if I will get something else instead (a different strain).

[Nickel]

I've never had the flu, although I did get the vaccine when I was active duty military because it was required. When I did get it I ended up with bronchitis both times, so I decided to not do it again. Have had no severe illness since and it's been almost 10 years

[kitykids3]

Nope, don't go them. I eat verywell and try not to eat processed foods, and take the sickness if it comes. I'm all about letting the immune system do its thing. My cold or flu last from a few hours to a couple days.

My daughter was just bedridden with the flu. It lasted a couple days. Raw, milk and egg smoothies and no medication. She is fine today.

Not saying you shouldn't take a flu shot. It's a personal choice. Whatever works got you. The OP could have put up a yes or no poll.

Sorry, hadn't thought about a yes or no poll.

[Willow]

The one year I got one, was the one year I got it. That made up my mind.

My kids have never gotten one, and this year the first year they got it so I believe it's true what they're saying about it being a really bad year for it.

[Country Kids]

I do know people use to get sick from it because they used a live virus-could that be the reason a few of you guys got the flu when vaccinated?

Could be the connection-

[Country Kids]

Weird question-those that have never had the flu-do you live where its really warm? I question if thats part of it because here where its cold and we are all couped up through the winter with less fresh air makes me wonder if we just pass the germs around more.

I did hear though the reason its so bad is its been a dry year and the germs are hanging around longer. I know its been pretty rainy/snowy/cold in alot of places so I wasn't understanding the dry part much.

[Holiday Park]

Nope. And I don't plan on it. I've got pretty un-politically correct views on some things, this is one of them. Lol.

Same here .

[Willow]

Weird question-those that have never had the flu-do you live where its really warm?

Far from it!

[Blackcat31]

Far from it!

same here.

I heard on Good Morning America yesterday that the hardest hit areas for flu and flu related deaths is around the Great Lakes areas. I have no idea as to why but that is what they said.

[spud912]

Weird question-those that have never had the flu-do you live where its really warm? I question if thats part of it because here where its cold and we are all couped up through the winter with less fresh air makes me wonder if we just pass the germs around more.

I did hear though the reason its so bad is its been a dry year and the germs are hanging around longer. I know its been pretty rainy/snowy/cold in alot of places so I wasn't understanding the dry part much.

This is actually documented and researched as being true. The reason there is a flu-season is because it is the time of year where people are in closer proximity, therefore it spreads easier and faster. The flu (and any other illness for that matter) is around throughout the year but is more prevalent during cooler months.

I worked very closely with public health at my last job and it was noted that while illnesses teetered off in the summer for most areas of the US, we tend to still have a good amount of illness in the summer months. Unlike other areas, our summer months are when we are in close proximity because everyone is inside in air conditioning (temps in the summer are over 100, sometimes in the 110's). In the fall, winter and spring, we have beautiful moderate weather and people tend to spend more time outdoors.

[Country Kids]

This is actually documented and researched as being true. The reason there is a flu-season is because it is the time of year where people are in closer proximity, therefore it spreads easier and faster. The flu (and any other illness for that matter) is around throughout the year but is more prevalent during cooler months.

I worked very closely with public health at my last job and it was noted that while illnesses teetered off in the summer for most areas of the US, we tend to still have a good amount of illness in the summer months. Unlike other areas, our summer months are when we are in close proximity because everyone is inside in air conditioning (temps in the summer are over 100, sometimes in the 110's). In the fall, winter and spring, we have beautiful moderate weather and people tend to spend more time outdoors.

What I found weird though is they said its hitting much earlier this year/last year (Dec/Jan) so I was wondering when the true "flu season" was.

We have hot summers here also but everyone is outside! We get so much rain and cold in the winters that no one can stand to be inside when the sun is out-

[laundrymom]

Weird question-those that have never had the flu-do you live where its really warm? I question if thats part of it because here where its cold and we are all couped up through the winter with less fresh air makes me wonder if we just pass the germs around more.

I did hear though the reason its so bad is its been a dry year and the germs are hanging around longer. I know its been pretty rainy/snowy/cold in alot of places so I wasn't understanding the dry part much.

I live between Indianapolis& Kalamazoo. I believe in good diet, exercise and limited sanitization of homes. I'm clean. But I don't kill all our germs. I also get the kids active, sweating, and happy. I truly think it keeps us healthier. I wash hands and bedding more than most everyone I know though.

[spud912]

If there are a few things I learned in my life, they are:

• Always EXPECT the UNexpected.
• Never underestimate an illness.

When I was a healthyteenager, I had a horrible case of the flu in the middle of summer. I was completely bed-ridden for 5 days, could not eat or drink, ended up on IV fluids in the emergency room, battling a fever of 104/105. During these 5 days, there were times in which I was actually delirious and hallucinating, there were times that I violently shook with shivers, there were times that I was soaked in sweat. I was very active at the time and ate extremely well (so health was not a concern). I also had not been ill in 8 years with anything significant at all.

The next time I fell ill (mind you, 9 years later), I ended up being hospitalized and lost 20 pounds in a matter of one month (and I was a healthy weight before so by the time I started recuperating I was underweight). It took MONTHS to fully recover from that one! It started with strep throat, which resulted in a lower immunity. Next thing I knew, I had mono, valley fever and several other minor illnesses (sinusitis and gastritis). I was completely bed ridden for a month and had a very hard time getting back on my feet.

Also, who knew that a very minor cold would have caused my odd to end up in a life-threatening condition? Her cold developed into an ear infection. Well, unbeknownst to us, she was severely allergic to the antibiotics she was given and we ended up in the hospital multiple times. She was swollen and covered in welts for weeks!

Needless to say, I take medical advice seriously and try to take any recommended precautions to minimize any serious repercussions. You really never know what hand you will be given in life (despite how healthy you have been for the past decade(s)).

[Country Kids]

I live between Indianapolis& Kalamazoo. I believe in good diet, exercise and limited sanitization of homes. I'm clean. But I don't kill all our germs. I also get the kids active, sweating, and happy. I truly think it keeps us healthier. I wash hands and bedding more than most everyone I know though.

Funny you mention bedding as I was reading that people that shower at night are less likely to be sick and suffer from allergies. Its because you go to bed clean/clean bed. You get everything off from that day not the previous day.

[WDW]

Get one every year. Between the kids I'm around, hubbys exposure at work and the kids at school... can't imagine not. Never had a problem with it.