Kimmie

Flu-shots.

Should I get one?

For some reason I was always under the impression that you weren't supposed to get them till you were older.

My work is currently sending me three e-mails a day asking me to let them stick me.

Thank you.

Avana

[Carrie]

I get sick really really bad every year, and my doctor always tells me to get one.

I'm getting one as soon as they come out. I'm currently sick again .. twice in a month so far = (

[g!ggles]

I get the flu shot every single year and guess what... Every single year I still get brutally sick still and so does everyone in my office. I don't even really know if it helps or not but I suppose it's better safe then sorry.

[kiMMie]

I would say yes. With all the strains of viruses nowadays, it's best to get immunized. The side effect for some will include a "sick" feeling, but that should subside within a day or two. I suggest taking a dose of tylenol right after.

All those allergic to eggs should not take the flu shot!

If you opt not to take the flu shot, there is another alternative in the means of pills that you can get from your family doctor.

Here is some information from the CDC Flu Shot Q&A

What is the flu shot?
The flu shot is an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. It contains three influenza viruses. The three vaccine strains – one A (H3N2) virus, one A (H1N1) virus, and one B virus – are representative of the influenza vaccine strains recommended for that year. Viruses for the flu shot are grown in eggs.

Who should get a flu shot?
In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated. However, certain people should get vaccinated each year. They are either people who are at high risk of having serious flu complications or people who live with or care for those at high risk for serious complications.

People who should get vaccinated each year are:

People at high risk for complications from the flu, including:

• Children aged 6–59 months,
• Pregnant women,
• People 50 years of age and older, and
• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions;
• People who live in nursing homes and other long term care facilities.

People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:

• Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu (see above)
• Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
• Healthcare workers.
• Use of the Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine
• It should be noted that vaccination with the nasal-spray flu vaccine is always an option for healthy persons aged 5-49 years who are not pregnant.

Who should not get a flu shot?
Talk with a doctor before getting a flu shot if you:
1) Have ever had a severe allergic reaction to eggs or to a previous flu shot
or
2) Have a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).

If you are sick with a fever when you go to get your flu shot, you should talk to your doctor or nurse about getting your shot at a later date. However, you can get a flu shot at the same time you have a respiratory illness without fever or if you have another mild illness.

How effective is the flu shot?
With the flu shot, when the "match" between vaccine and circulating strains is close, the vaccine prevents influenza in about 70%-90% of healthy persons younger than age 65 years. Among elderly persons living outside chronic-care facilities (such as nursing homes) and those persons with long-term (chronic) medical conditions, the flu shot is 30%-70% effective in preventing hospitalization for pneumonia and influenza. Among elderly nursing home residents, the flu shot is most effective in preventing severe illness, secondary complications, and deaths related to the flu. In this population, the shot can be 50%-60% effective in preventing hospitalization or pneumonia and 80% effective in preventing death from the flu.

What are the risks from getting a flu shot?
The viruses in the flu shot are killed (inactivated), so you cannot get the flu from a flu shot. The risk of a flu shot causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small. However, a vaccine, like any medicine, may rarely cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. Almost all people who get influenza vaccine have no serious problems from it.

What are the side effects that could occur?

• Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
• Fever (low grade)
• Aches
• If these problems occur, they begin soon after the shot and usually last one to two days.

What should I do if I have had a serious reaction to influenza vaccine?

• Call a doctor, or get to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor what happened, the date and time it happened, and when you got the flu shot.
• Ask your doctor, nurse, or health department to file a Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)* form, or call VAERS at 1-800-822-7967.

Hope that helps all. Any other questions, please don't hestitate to ask. :kimmie:

[Chewy]

i have had the flu shot for the past 6 years and for the past 6 years i have not been sick.

[baby-phat]

Originally Posted by Chewy

i have had the flu shot for the past 6 years and for the past 6 years i have not been sick.

I get the flue shot almost every year and I still get sick. :(

[desiRAWR]

I definately need to get one this year. I never got sick when I was younger, but last year I kept getting sick, while my boyfriend, who got the flu shot didn't get sick at all (and he used to always get sick before the flu shot).

I have a doctor's appointment in a few weeks and I'll ask him then.

[veN]

I'm getting back on the flu shot, and EARLY after two years of getting my ass kicked my cold/flu season. Gonna grab one either at work (mid oct) or i already have an app't schedules with my dr for nov6. I used to get them and they totally saved me. Dammit.

[Ree Fresh]

I got it the year I was in school and despretly working at my new job. I couldnt affored to miss anything. I dont think ive had it the passed two winters. However im pretty strong and the flue doesnt hit me very hard (knowck on wood)

However we have one kid in my school who has a seriouse condition and its life threating if he gets any kind of sickness. I think I would have to take it for the sake of him... even though I personaly prefer to let my amune system deal with it, get lots of rest, and eat extreamly healthy. Probly why I dont get as sick as most ppl.

I'm curiouse if there are any benifets to NOT taking the flue show. IE. Does it effect your amuse system in a way that will make it weaker?