What has flue season been like for you?

[KiotiKowboy]

The annual flu vaccine may not be as effective this year as in past years, the CDC has announced.

Flu Shot Failure? Questions & Answers

 

[murphy1244]

Thx! I try. Little paper masks whenever I go out anywhere! Makes me a recluse, which is not really so bad!

- Jay

I'm with you Jay, Once had a white count at 400 and dropping.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I get the shot while my wife does not. Being a school bus driver, I get exposed to everything going around. I got a cold around the beginning of November and while I kept it from getting to bad, I have not totally shaken it. My wife however likely got it from me and it has pretty much kicked her butt, bordering on pnumonia. I have no idea if the flu shot helped me or not but I will continue to get one.

I do have a very close friend who was a teacher back in the seventies when there was some kind of bug going around and everyone was encouraged to get a shot. That shot made her severely allergic to seafood. She carries an EPI kit and questions the waiter everytime they dine out as to any sea food stock even in non sea food dishes.

Mean time, I "bomb" my bus every weekend with airosole disenfectents along with a daily less potent airosole spray when I do my morning shutdown check.

 

[s219]

I have also read that this year's flu shot isn't too effective, so it may not matter if you got one or not.

I have never gotten the shot in the past, and rarely ever got sick. I'd say one cold/virus every 4-5 years. But now we have a daughter, toddler age, who is mingling with other kids in music lessons, play groups, library reading time, etc... and we've all been getting sick every 3-4 weeks since September. Stomach bugs, colds, strep throat, you name it. We take every precaution possible, but really there's not much you can do when caring for a sick toddler if you have a heart. In the future, I will probably start getting flu shots as extra insurance.

The funny thing to me is how much more resilient my daughter is than my wife or me. When we all have the same thing, it generally knocks the adults on their butts for 4-5 days. My daughter will have 1-2 bad days and then be running around like nothing ever happened while the symptoms ease up. Really, if they could make some sort of shot to help people, it would be something that gives adults the energy and resilience of a toddler.

One thing I do find bothersome is how irresponsible some parents are. When our daughter is sick, she stays home from all her activities so she won't pass it on to other kids. Yet we're seeing many kids run around in these activities visibly sick, and I really think the parents should be keeping them at home in these instances.

 

[Budweiser John]

I'm convinced good personal hygiene, adequate sleep, good food, vitamins, and a daily touch of spirits does more to prevent the spread of "bugs" than some medical concuation shot up under the banner of a vaccine.
Further more, Rural living builds immunity. A little exposure to cow poop, clean air, and the good earth minamises the need for medical bills. Not into the flue shot mania myself.......

 

[Cat_Driver]

A few years ago I went to see my Doc for the annual check up and the girls in the office said......have you heard? No, huh, what. They said Sally died last week. Sally was the receptionist at the docs office. Went in started talking to the Doc and he said she got a flu shot and a few hours later she was dead. He said to me I NEVER EVER tell anyone to get a flu shot.
That was the last time I got a flu shot, maybe 10 years ago. Prior to that I always got a flue shot and just like clockwork got a debilitating flu around Christmas. So much so that I never made plans at Christmas as I said " because I know I'm going to have the flu over Christmas"
After I stopped getting flu shots I stopped getting the flu. Same results with my daughter who also got a flu shot and stopped the same time I did and has not missed a day of school since.
What I swear by now is
Feeling run down, achy, fever or chills? | Oscillococcinum

I've turned my wife, daughter, brother etc. onto this stuff and they all have the same results. It DOES NOT CURE the flu. I take it the first signs of the flu. Most I get now is a headache a stuffed nose for a day or two and that's it. Prior to that I would be in for a chest xray, Codeine cough syrup, and a week in bed.

Looks what's in a flu shot

What’s in the regular flu shot?

Egg proteins: including avian contaminant viruses
Gelatin: can cause allergic reactions and anaphylaxis are usually associated with sensitivity to egg or gelatin
Polysorbate 80 (Tween80™): can cause severe allergic reactions, including
anaphylaxis. Also associated with inferility in female mice.
Formaldehyde: known carcinogen
Triton X100: a strong detergent
Sucrose: table sugar
Resin: known to cause allergic reactions
Gentamycin: an antibiotic
Thimerosal: mercury is still in multidose flu shot vials

 

[N80]

Looks what's in a flu shot

What痴 in the regular flu shot?

Egg proteins: including avian contaminant viruses
Gelatin: can cause allergic reactions and anaphylaxis are usually associated with sensitivity to egg or gelatin
Polysorbate 80 (Tween80?: can cause severe allergic reactions, including
anaphylaxis. Also associated with inferility in female mice.
Formaldehyde: known carcinogen
Triton X100: a strong detergent
Sucrose: table sugar
Resin: known to cause allergic reactions
Gentamycin: an antibiotic
Thimerosal: mercury is still in multidose flu shot vials

Well, let's put things into perspective here. Egg proteins? Yep. I eat eggs all the time and even more stuff with egg proteins in it. Not a big deal unless you are severely allergic to eggs, which is uncommon and most people who think they are allergic to eggs are not to any significant extent. Gelatin? Same thing. We all eat it all the time. Nearly inert. And look folks, just because something can cause an allergic reaction does not mean there is any measurable risk that it will. And if you are not a female mouse then you don't need to worry about polysorbate...........and even if you are a female mouse you don't need to worry about it. Formaldehyde? Sounds scary. It isn't. Its just like anything else, quantity and application are key. There is a common substance we all consume every day that in the right quantity causes electrolyte imbalance, vomiting, unconsciousness, then seizures then death. It is called water. Sucrose. Really? How much?

So please, keep things in perspective and don't get all worked up about medical conspiracy theories. Also understand that millions and millions of people take flu shots EVERY YEAR and the rate of significant adverse reactions is very low. Again, perspective. Nothing in a flu shot puts you at a fragment of risk compared to driving around the corner to get a hot dog.

My point with the flu shot is that if you need it or want it then its a good idea. If having the flu for a week is better for you than getting a flu shot then don't get it. But DON'T not get a flu shot because you are afraid of it. It is safer than most things you do or eat or drink.

 

[Bird]

Well said, George! I've had the flu many years ago, more than once, and I'd really rather not have it again, so my wife and I get the shot just about as soon as they are available each year.

 

[blueriver]

So many controversies in today's world .. Wouldn't life be simple ...

Against flu shot.. Don't get one!
Against smoking ,, Don't smoke!
Against drinking .. Don't drink!
Against abortion.. Don't get one!

 

[Big Barn]

So many controversies in today's world .. Wouldn't life be simple ... Against flu shot.. Don't get one! Against smoking ,, Don't smoke! Against drinking .. Don't drink! Against abortion.. Don't get one!

That would make too much sense and we wouldn't have anything to talk about.

Terry