The Flu. Did you get a shot?

[lin7310948]

I'm 78 and as far as i know i have never had a flu shot. i had the flu twice ...1978 and again in
1992.

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by 74-911

Doesn't hurt to get it and may help.

This is not actually accurate.

Originally Posted by red-beard

I think if you get the vaccine on a regular basis, you are better protected. This year's might not cover the strain, but last year, or 5 years ago might provide some protection.

For this reason, I pay the $20 and get it, every year.

That makes sense, but it does not appear to work out that way in practice.

The dry air compromises your mucous membranes and makes you more susceptible to infection, or that is how it was explained to me.

In the last 40 years, only times I have been sick has been 2 flu shots and 3-4 bouts of food poisoning.

Do your own research and make your choice. I did and will never get another flu shot.

[wdfifteen]

It’s a crap shoot whether the immunization you get protects you from the strain going around, but the shots are cheap and I’ve experienced no downside, so I get them every year.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by Tobra

This is not actually accurate.


That makes sense, but it does not appear to work out that way in practice.

The dry air compromises your mucous membranes and makes you more susceptible to infection, or that is how it was explained to me.

In the last 40 years, only times I have been sick has been 2 flu shots and 3-4 bouts of food poisoning.

Do your own research and make your choice. I did and will never get another flu shot.

Ex-Mrs Beard refused to get the Flu Vaccine because Guillain-Barré

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/guillainbarre.htm

[island911]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

....
I believe this years was only 20% effective.

That is for only ONE strain of many that the shot seeks to give immunization.

[Tobra]

They often put 3-4 strains in the vaccine

[matthewb0051]

I did not get one this year or last. Before I retired from the Army I experimented with not getting one. The Army requires an annual flu shot but some years you can get away with not getting one if you play cards right.

The years I got the shot I got sick. Touch wood, the years without the shot I have not gotten sick. Coincidence? I think not

[mepstein]

You can get a reaction from the shot but then you know your body is building its antibodies against the flu. You cant get the flu from the flu shot because it doesn't contain all the genetic coding of the virus to be active. Its like a car without a drivetrain. The CDC has very good info on the flu, flu shot and many other vaccines. They use scientific data vs anecdotal.

[vash]

like i said. i got the shot when they were first coming out. last OCT?

my wife got hers in Feb, probably.

she is sick..103 temp at the peak. total body aches. i just knew i was gonna get it. i keep my hands spotless and i am not touching my face or mouth. i am drinking green tea and sucking oranges.

i have not gotten sick! knock on wood..i felt weird yesterday, so i hit the sack early very early..woke up refreshed and feeling normal. my body is on alert level orange.

the shot is working for me, my wife - not so much.

[ckelly78z]

It's always free at work (without leaving to a doctors appointment), so 5 minutes in a conference room, and I'm done. I have always gotten the shot, and usually get some sort of flu/bronchitis every year, but so far, so good for this year (knock on wood). Have a reduced immunity from cancer/speenectomy, so I get it every year.

[Esel Mann]

Originally Posted by mepstein

You can get a reaction from the shot but then you know your body is building its antibodies against the flu. You cant get the flu from the flu shot because it doesn't contain all the genetic coding of the virus to be active. Its like a car without a drivetrain. The CDC has very good info on the flu, flu shot and many other vaccines. They use scientific data vs anecdotal.

The problem with the flu shot is the recipe is a best guess made months prior. Kudos to them trying to hit a bulls eye but even the CDC understands the limitations. That is why they also tell us:

Hygeine. First line of defense. Very, VERY effective. Even the CDC agrees. Effective no matter the strain(s).
Wash your hands!

To deal with the cough or sneeze our Japanese friends have the recipe. Also very, VERY effective. Wear a mask. I'm not sure why that hasn't caught on here. Again, the CDC is a proponent of this too.

[dafischer]

The last time that I had the flu was 35 yrs. ago (It was epic, though). I've never had a flu shot.