Flu shot...do you?

[mikehinton]

Never. I figure I'll just catch it the normal way...

[red-beard]

$25 and 5 minutes of time. I get it every year. Makes sense vs. what happens when you get the flu.

[GG Allin]

I'm wondering if there are multiple strains going around. I had the flu right before Christmas, pretty nasty. Just as it was about to go away, I get whacked again. The past few days have been bad, 102 fever, painful cough....Just now starting to get over it, again.

[red-beard]

Yes. There are always more than one strain about. The vaccine covers the three most likely. At present, it is about 60% effeective against the strains in the US. This is pretty normal.

[Tobra]

I got the flu shot once, in 1991, last time I had the flu was right after that shot. Never had one before, never had one since. Had the flu one other time back in the early 1970s.

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by vonsmog

No, the preservatives in them are one of the causes of Alzheimer's. ...

sure they are

[72doug2,2S]

Originally Posted by red-beard

$25 and 5 minutes of time. I get it every year. Makes sense vs. what happens when you get the flu.

We did this year, it is cheaper than getting the flu. Are they using heavy metals in the vaccine?

[jyl]

My kids and wife get the flu shot every year, they seldom get the flu, maybe once every 4 years. I don't regularly get the shot and get the flu about once every 3 years. So it does help. We are healthy folks with good immune systems. I imagine the benefit would be greater for more vulnerable people.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by jyl

.... So it does help. We are healthy folks with good immune systems. I imagine the benefit would be greater for more vulnerable people.

I can't remember the last time I had the flu, so I declined when I was in for a physical a few months back and the nurse asked if I wanted one (it wouldn't have cost "me" anything more than the co-pay). I just see it as a feeble attempt to prevent the inevitable for most healthy people (and as always...follow the money ). Now for some folks, I totally understand...but for a normal, healthy individual...I dunno.

[yellowperil]

Originally Posted by vash

I love the flu shot. Covered by insurance. My wife got sick. I cared for her and never caught it. She got the shot too. ? I can't figure it out.

It doesn't give instant protection. You still may get the flu for about a week after a shot, after 2 wks you are unlikely to get the flu. I don't ever want the flu so I always get a shot. It's free and the doctor who gives it lets me flirt with her and even flirts back, then later on ..........

[NY65912]

Every year. Being on an immunosuppresant its mandatory..

[Aragorn]

I usually get it every year like clockwork. This year I didn't get it soon enough and have spent most of December up to a few days ago with the wheezing, hacking, and waking up at 3am gasping for breath symptoms that I understand are associated with the "bad" strain of this years flu (no fever though.) I have survived so far and am careful and courteous enough not to "spread" around the germs like most other people do.

If you have had phenomia, I understand you should also get the phenomia shot which I still haven't received yet.

[masraum]

I did get the flu a couple of years ago during a particularly cold (for Houston) winter.

[Buckterrier]

I never have, then again I'm sitting here with the friggin' flu

[gprsh924]

Nope.

[Chocaholic]

Haven't had the flu in 40 years. Have never gotten the shot.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

This is the first year I've even considered getting a flu shot. I got the flu the day after Xmas and was begging for death until about a week ago. I hope that was the bad flu everyone is talking about. I don't want to feel like that again and I have a lot of business travel coming up. Last time I had the flu was about seven yrs. ago. Can you get it twice in the same season?

Did it mimic food poisoning? Violently ill, coming out both ends? If so, I already had that a couple months ago.

[vash]

Originally Posted by speeder

Did it mimic food poisoning? Violently ill, coming out both ends? If so, I already had that a couple months ago.

This sounds like norovirus. A real crowd favorite.

[intakexhaust]

Lucky me not having the flu in years but when I clicked on this link, I nearly threw-up from these people... er... people?!

[aigel]

I'd sure like to get a link to the Alzheimer / Flu connection study. Before I forget, that is, because I get the shot every year.

About 10 years ago, I got the flu. If someone would have offered to take me out back and cap me, I probably would have agreed. One week of misery, flat on my back in bed, weakness, pain in every joint. I thought I am going to die. Not kidding. After that I vowed to get the shot to help reduce the chance of repeating this experience. I am a healthy guy, but I think some of these strains still could take you out if they catch you on the wrong foot.

G