What has flue season been like for you?

[tkappeler]

I don't get the flu shot as I had a life threatening reaction shortly afterwards a few years ago. I know it's not directly the cause of the reaction, but there is that knee jerk reluctance to try again. I have read that this years shots are less effective as the strains actually being seen are different than predicted and included in the shots.

That being said. I got it. Chills/fever for only 4-5 hours, then days of roller coaster where it feels like a cold one minute, bad chest congestion the next. Really weird in that the symptoms seem to bounce so much.

Of course, this weekend was our anniversary getaway that had to be rescheduled at the last minute. Oh well, overall, life is good.

What has been your experience this flu season?

PS. On the plus side, down 6 pounds since Wednesday.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I usually take the flu shot, but have skipped it for the last 2-3 years. I have not had the flu since 2001. I rarely get colds or flu but suffer hay fever constantly. Maybe my constantly runny nose keeps the flu bug rinsed out.

 

[oldballs]

The past few years I've gotten the shot. Haven't had the flu that I know off in years. Living alone in a semirural area and seldom being in public, I'm more likely to get bitten by a snake.

 

[Bird]

Way back about 1960, I got my first flu shot. Three days later I went to the doctor, had the flu, and thought I wasn't going to be able to drive home, but I made it and didn't get out of bed for 5 days except to go to the bathroom and heat another can of soup occasionally. Now I've been told that was too soon for the shot to have had any effect one way or the other, but I avoided the flu shots for more than 20 years. However, I know my wife and I have gotten the flu shots every year since 1989 at least, and the last 2 or 3 years, we've got the "HD" (heavy dose?) that they tell me is the same; just a double dose. At any rate, we haven't had the flu in many, many years.

I have read that this years shots are less effective as the strains actually being seen are different than predicted and included in the shots.

I've read the same, but so far, so good. I wish you luck in your recovery.

 

[oldballs]

In the Army in the 50's, they stood us outside, in the winter, in a snow storm, at Ft Leonard Wood, in our T-shirts. Well....some of the troops got pneumonia and I was sicker than a dog and almost got TRO'd. One guy died. I never got another flu shoot after that until my late 70's. I think they are probably okay by now.
.....Haven't got to it yet this year.

 

[JRobyn]

Got the vaccine, but the season has been scary since I am very neutropenic due to leukemia and related chemo. White counts have been running < 1.0.

- Jay

 

[Big Barn]

There is so much conflicting information regarding flu shot effectiveness. I've skipped it the last several years but my there always seems to be an outbreak of some virus at my daughter's school so we both had ours this year. It was covered by our Provincial Health Plan. Figured might as well get it as I'm paying for it anyway.

Terry

 

[Big Barn]

Got the vaccine, but the season has been scary since I am very neutropenic due to leukemia and related chemo. White counts have been running < 1.0. - Jay

Take care of yourself there,Jay.

Terry

 

[JRobyn]

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

- Jay

 

[dmccarty]

I get the flu shot at work almost every year but I think last year I missed it because I was too busy. Got one this year.

I don't think I have had the flu since I got swine flu during the big outbreak a few years ago. THAT one I won't forget. It was really nasty but it was over quickly.

About two years ago I caught what had to be Whooping Cough even though I have had the shot and boosters! Whooping Cough was in counties around us and somehow I caught it. :confused3: I would rather have had a beating than have Whooping Cough! Absolutely horrible. No real sleep because of he cough. Moving hurts because your chest is so inflamed from the cough. Thankfully I could work from home because when you coughed it sounded like you were coughing up your lungs and dying. :shocked: Horrible. It took a 2-3 months for the cough to go away. How babies and kids survive Whooping Cough is beyond me.

Seems to me, even though the flu shot is no guarantee against getting the flu, it provides some chance of avoiding getting sick and I will take some chance versus no chance.

The kids were sick a few times at the start of the school year which is what usually happens. Knock on wood, nothing really bad since the start of school.

Later,
Dan