Health Discussions

i don't plan on getting one i've never gotten a flu shot that i can think of. my husband wants one but i think he's crazy! i'm just not into all that medically unnecessary stuff. i haven't gotten my youngest son's vaccinated either. i definitely agree that the cons outweight the pros.

I get the regular flu shot every year.  In 1999, I skipped the shot and got very sick.  That was the last time I was on antibiotics & in the mini-ER.

I don't  think  I'll get the swine flu shot though...

I get a flu shot every year and have for many years. Whatever's in this year's shot, I'll get it. I have never had any sort of reaction to flu shots and I must have had 15-20 of 'em. My wife also gets flu shots and also has never had a reaction.

I had the original swine flu shot in 1976 and had no problems with it.

--Bob

I don't believe in preventative flu shots.  They usually say there is still a % chance that you can get the flu and some people get sick from those shots.  I don't get it.  The flu itself isn't usually deadly.  The swine flu isn't really that deadly either.  I just looked up stats the other day and there were like 3000 reported cases of "flu like" symptoms in MI, but of those only 12 died of swine flu.  I'll take my chances.

bkovacs said…

I get a flu shot every year and have for many years. Whatever's in this year's shot, I'll get it. I have never had any sort of reaction to flu shots and I must have had 15-20 of 'em. My wife also gets flu shots and also has never had a reaction.

I had the original swine flu shot in 1976 and had no problems with it.

--Bob

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Yep, that's pretty much me.  I had the flu twice and didn't enjoy it much so I started getting the shot a few years ago and never had a reaction.  My hubby has as well.  I also received the swine flu shot in 76 when I was a kid and all was well.  So, yeah, I'll likely get both if they are available here.

Nahhh....I am a prime candidate to GET flu shots (Immune issues) but I don't believe in them. My father got one yearly and he ALWAYS got sick after, almost like he had the flu.

I have never had a flu shot and I don't want to start now. I may have the darn flu right now. I feel like hammered dog...poop.

I have allergies but won't get allergy shots either. I don't believe in being injected with stuff I'm allergic to, to get more tolerant to the stuff I'm allergic to!

The flu shot reminds me of that. Is there mild flu virus in it so you build up an immunity to the actual flu? From what my father experienced, there's something in those shots that can make you good and sick and knowing me,  I'd get good and sick!

I actually got my flu shot this week. My immune system is pretty bad with several illness that I have, so I always get a flu shot every year. I will be getting the swine flu shot when it is available. I saw on the news yesterday the swine flu shot will not be an injection, but a nose spray.

I saw my doctor yesterday and got my regular flu shot. I asked her about the swine flu vaccine. She said it would be in on 11/15/2009 but they are only giving to children over 6 months up to 24 year old adults because that's where the real danger is.

Each doctor/hospital is only  getting a certain amount and the guidelines tell them who is eligible. So for many of us, we won't even get the choice.

I have gotten the flu shot for years and never had a problem with it. I have only had the flu once in my adult life and I never want it again! I may get the swine flu shot, not sure. My daughter's school sent home a letter saying that all children should be vacc. for both flus.  I wonder if insurance will pay for both vaccs?

Ironically, no matter how healthy I may be at the time I get the flu every year. The only years I didn't get the flu, were when I had a flu shot.

I definitely want the swine flu shot too. I'm in a high risk category for it. Some of the women who died  it were my age or very close with the exact same health challenges as me. I hate needles but I'm giving in this year!

Old Hippie shared an ABC news story link that says the vaccine needs more testing and at this stage of things could actually be more dangerous than the swine flu itself.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/09/19/2690820.htm

That's reassuring!

So if I get the swine flu vaccine I could be a guinea pig. Sigh. A true conundrum. I'll check it some more. Thanks for posting the website.

I'm still getting at least the regular flu shot. It works for me.

LadyMagic said…

So if I get the swine flu vaccine I could be a guinea pig. Sigh. A true conundrum. I'll check it some more. Thanks for posting the website.

I'm still getting at least the regular flu shot. It works for me.

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I think you hit the nail on the head when you said, 'I'm still getting at least the regular flu shot. It works for me."  Everyone has to make their own decision because they know their body better than anyone else- including their doctor.

I'm seeing my doc for a routine checkup. I will get the Swine flu shot if he has it. I have an autoimmune disease (Sjogren's Syndrome) so I have to get the shots.

Thanks, Meri!!!!

Phew! Glad to know someone else here might be getting one too.

After having been so very ill my immune system isn't how it should be. So I'm concerned. Each year if someone in the next town with the flu sneezes I catch it. So I'm concerned.

Have you read the link Meri kindly posted? If there's anything online you've read,Jo, please let me know and I'll read it.

Not sure. I teach, so I come in contact with a lot of kids.

But. the last time I got the flu shot (2 yrs back), I got the flu. Go figure.

CyndiA said…

But. the last time I got the flu shot (2 yrs back), I got the flu. Go figure.

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My Mother always gets the flu after a flu shot so she has quit getting them. I know many people that it doesn't seem to bother though.  The whole question still puzzles me. One of the problems with the standard flu shot is that the vaccination doesn't cover all types of flu so it is hit or miss if it will help anyway.

I decided to take it. I take the regular flu shot too.

PattyTherre said…

Nahhh....I am a prime candidate to GET flu shots (Immune issues) but I don't believe in them. My father got one yearly and he ALWAYS got sick after, almost like he had the flu.

I have never had a flu shot and I don't want to start now. I may have the darn flu right now. I feel like hammered dog...poop.

I have allergies but won't get allergy shots either. I don't believe in being injected with stuff I'm allergic to, to get more tolerant to the stuff I'm allergic to!

The flu shot reminds me of that. Is there mild flu virus in it so you build up an immunity to the actual flu? From what my father experienced, there's something in those shots that can make you good and sick and knowing me,  I'd get good and sick!

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There is dead flu virus in the vaccine so one shouldn't get sick from it as it's not live.

I believe each type of flu vaccine was  created to protect against a specific  flu. One could always ask about which one it is.

I can't remember if I had the shot in '76. 

The only major reaction I can recall was, "You're going to stick that spike in my arm???!!!!!!!"

Glad needles are smaller now. Still can't stand them.

When I went last week to get my yearly flu shot I asked about the swine flu shot. I live in Augusta, Me. so I don't know if this is a nationwide criteria. My doctor told me that as of now it will only be available for ages  6 months to 24 year range. Since I don't fall into that range, for me the question of whether I want it became moot.

I'm surprized your doctor didn't mention the elderly or people with poor immune systems.

Since I work with first graders I have gotten a flu shot almost every year and I plan on getting both flu shots this year too.

Meri I  goy my flu shot today and in October I plan to get the H1N1 flu shot.  I have gotten the flu and it made me very sick for more than a week.  I have aa sixteen month old grandchild and I would not risk her life going around her unprotected.  Our grandchildren's livws are too precious to endanger them with any kind of flu that can kill them.  The purpose of medical innovations is to save lives.  Think of the millions who have been spared polio because of a shot.  Prevention is better than cure.

well i think that people should get a swine flu shot because their are people dying from this. I recently got one just to be on the safe side.

I am a teacher (have 125 students in my 5 classes) AND I have asthma, so my doctor always tries to convince me to get the flu shot.  I've never gotten one and I certainly don't plan to do so now.  ESPECIALLY not a brand-new and potentially dangerous swine flu vaccine for a virus that is no more dangerous than the regular flu. 

pharmaceutical companies are only worried about making money. they don't care about a new drug or vaccine being potentially harmful or fatal. just look at all the new drugs there are out there. they're interested in profit not saving lives.

I always get the flu shot and I will welcome the Swine flu shot.  It can help if you do get the swine flu.