I think there are ~ 92 flu viruses. The flu vaccine consists of 3 different deactivated viruses, chosen each year by the CDC as having the highest probability for an outbreak. The vaccine provides immunity against those 3 high probability viruses. If you get the vaccine, and come into contact with a "lesser probability" virus, then you can still get the flu.

That happened to me last week, and I'm just starting to recover from it after an exhausting week in bed, on antibiotics, trying to keep it out of my lungs. Post-nasal drip causes constant coughing to keep the lungs clear. I worry about when I'm older, and not strong enough to fight it off.

Just thinking out loud about the sinuses... would irradiating or cauterizing the sinuses keep them from producing phlegm/mucus?

:confused:

Shots are a good investment
 

I've had pneumonia and it is highly recommended to stay on top of the flu if you've had even a mild case of pneumonia. I got pretty sick last year and I didn't get a shot ... this year I got one and it worked great ... no flu bug.

Even so getting the flu is no fun but dying from it is still quite rare. I saw an excellent John Stossel episode on 20/20 about how Americans get so wound up about the low risk things that happen and don't really protect ourselves from the big risks very well. Hysteria is rampant. Be proactive about hazards in life but don't let them engulf you in worry.

Flu deaths average 36,000/year in the US. About three times more than the HIV/AIDS death total.

Got the flu once, shortly after the only time I got the flu shot. The flu shot is sort of a crap shoot. They guess what is going to be the strain to cause problems in a few years, then start cooking up vaccine.

Makes me glad I never get sick

AIDS has a loud bunch promoting research, which is why a disproportionate amount a $$$ gets thrown at it