Is anyone getting a flu shot?

[Neesy]

I was at the gym yesterday trying to work out, but I was SO tired (and sort of sniffly too).

This young muscular guy asked me if I was not feeling well due to getting a flu shot. He says every time he gets a flu shot he gets sick.

Well - I am the same!

The thing is - I feel maybe I SHOULD get one, but I am not looking forward to any side effects.

p.s. I am NOT afraid of needles - it does not bother me to donate blood

So - any thoughts?

 

[AnnaMarie]

I started getting the flu shot when I was taking care of FIL.

DH almost died from the flu, just a "normal" flu. So although he gets the shot, I also get it to lower the risk of flu in our home.

Some people do feel sick after getting the shot....but the flu would feel much worse. Side effects from the nasal spray are worse than for the shot.

 

[Neesy]

I started getting the flu shot when I was taking care of FIL.

DH almost died from the flu, just a "normal" flu. So although he gets the shot, I also get it to lower the risk of flu in our home.

Some people do feel sick after getting the shot....but the flu would feel much worse. Side effects from the nasal spray are worse than for the shot.

It's weird - my Mom took me for allergy testing way back in the 60s and they said I was allergic to eggs - I wonder if that is why I have such a bad reaction?

I stopped getting it (flu shot, that is) ever since we had the H1N1 strain which was quite a few years ago

 

[danie]

I got my flu shot today. A flu shot does not cause you to get sick. I have to explain this to my students every year. The vaccine has either dead or inactivated viruses and cannot give you the flu or anything such as a respiratory sickness. You may have redness or swelling at the injection site, or muscle aches or low-grade fever, but these are not common.

If you think you get sick every time you get the shot, it's because humans tend to look for that kind of thing and notice it more readily. Respiratory illnesses are common around the time the flu shot is given; I had a sore throat all week. You may get sick after you get the shot simply because you contracted a virus, probably even before you got your shot, and the symptoms are now showing up.

Now I predict the chorus of, "I was never so sick as the year I got that darn flu shot. I will NEVER get it again!" Coincidence, or again, you were noticing every little sickness simply BECAUSE you got the shot.

Seriously, ask your medical doctor. The flu shot does not cause you to be sick!!!!!

Simple science.

 

[Blake]

I've never had one. Sounds like that guy was trying to crack onto you, Neesy. Unless you need it, I think it's better to let you body deal with the flu and colds, unless you get something that needs anti-biotics.

 

[danie]

10 Most Ridiculous Myths About The Flu - Health.com

 

[AnnaMarie]

It's weird - my Mom took me for allergy testing way back in the 60s and they said I was allergic to eggs - I wonder if that is why I have such a bad reaction?

I stopped getting it (flu shot, that is) ever since we had the H1N1 strain which was quite a few years ago

How much do you avoid egg? Do you avoid anything made with it at all? Even avoid trace amounts?

If you were having an allergic reaction from the egg in the shot it would be an allergic reaction....not just feeling sick.

The CDC is now advising that most people with egg allergy can safely get a flu shot. Speak to your doctor. (Do not just go to a pharmacy or clinic with a line up. Go to the doctor.)

 

[Blake]

 

[AnnaMarie]

puh-leeze!

Real science and real medical degrees please. Not some nonsense from a guy selling his own "remedies".

You know what they call alternative medicine that works?

Spoiler

medicine

 

[AnnaMarie]

Neesy here's an article about egg allergy and flu shot.

Flu news: Now most people with egg allergies can get a flu shot - Harvard Health Blog - Harvard Health Publications

It was shared on a forum I go to by a man who's five year old son died of the flu. (He had been a part of our forum for a few years prior.)

 

[Walter Oobleck]

raw apple cider vinegar, a shot a day...that, or a chilled 4 oz glass of your own urine. cures what ails you. puts hair on your chest. conversation starter.

 

[Neesy]

How much do you avoid egg? Do you avoid anything made with it at all? Even avoid trace amounts?

If you were having an allergic reaction from the egg in the shot it would be an allergic reaction....not just feeling sick.

The CDC is now advising that most people with egg allergy can safely get a flu shot. Speak to your doctor. (Do not just go to a pharmacy or clinic with a line up. Go to the doctor.)

Oh don't worry - they are always reminding us at work - they even had someone with a mobile cart last year - pushing it around the hospital

They would even come to your desk or cubicle

I do not disagree with others opinions that it is all 'science' - and no, I am not a hypochondriac


Just thought it would be an interesting thread to start

Let's be polite to others and let them express their opinions too

I don't want this thread to get moved into the "Hot Topics" or politics thread

Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond so far

 

[no bounce no play]

I was at the gym yesterday trying to work out, but I was SO tired (and sort of sniffly too).

This young muscular guy asked me if I was not feeling well due to getting a flu shot. He says every time he gets a flu shot he gets sick.

Well - I am the same!

The thing is - I feel maybe I SHOULD get one, but I am not looking forward to any side effects.

p.s. I am NOT afraid of needles - it does not bother me to donate blood

So - any thoughts?

I quit getting flu shots because I would always get a respiratory infection (like bronchitis) after getting the shot. I'd read all the articles stating flu shots cannot make you sick so when I was in the hospital last year, I asked if I could get a flu shot. They discovered I was allergic to latex and they told me I could not get a flu shot because, although the serum doesn't contain latex, the application thingy does.

Latex allergies have become somewhat common in recent years but allergy tests in the 60's didn't include latex. If strawberries give you a rash, you're probably allergic to latex.

Although I'm disappointed I can't get flu shots, I'm glad to know why they made me sick. It wasn't my imagination afterall

 

[Out of Order]

I got one. About a week ago. Arm hurt for a day or two and all my hair fell out, but other than that I'm peachy.......

 

[80sFan]

As the mother of a vaccine-injured child, I'm going to now unfollow this thread....this is why I avoid the hot topics section.

 

[Sundrop]

I've never gotten a flu shot. I always worried that my hair would fall out, or that my babies would be born naked........

 

[Brian's Twinner]

I've never had one. A couple of weeks ago, I had some sort of creeping crawling crud...I always seem due for it around once a year. Usually in the form of a sinus infection.

 

[pegasus216]

I knew someone who got Guillain-Barré Syndrome from the flu shot. The doctors told her that it came from that shot.
I have never gotten one, and don't want to get one because of that.

 

[Bev Vincent]

I've had a flu shot every year for the past decade. The worst side effect I've ever had is a tender shoulder around the injection site, and that only once or twice. This year, no soreness whatsoever.

 

[no bounce no play]

I knew someone who got Guillain-Barré Syndrome from the flu shot. The doctors told her that it came from that shot.
I have never gotten one, and don't want to get one because of that.

I also knew someone who got GBD after getting that swine flu vaccination in '76. I don't think it's much of a worry anymore but...