Flu shots?

jinx · 11-19-2003, 09:21 AM

http://www.cnn.com/2003/HEALTH/11/17....ap/index.html

So who's getting one? Anyone get them every year?

How about for the kids - who thinks vaccinations are great and who's a quack conspiracy theorist?

FileNotFound · 11-19-2003, 09:35 AM

Already got one, they were free at work so why not?

Without shots I tend to get flu at least 3 times during the winter and miss at least 2 days of work. In the end I just saw no reason NOT to get a flu shot and some possible benifits from it.

11-19-2003, 09:42 AM

I'm stupid and don't get them. I probably should.

Dagney · 11-19-2003, 09:44 AM

Generally I don't do the flu shot thing (it's an aversion to needles) and I rarely catch the flu. I will catch the common colds that float around, but they're not preventable (for the most part).

But this year, with my mother doing intensive chemotherapy treatments and my being her primary caregiver, I'm seriously considering it, although I won't be doing the fluvent nasal treatment (because it is a live viral treatment), but instead do the stand by prick you in the arm flu shot of attenuated flu virus.

My biggest concern is the possibility that I'll be contagous for a few days afterwards. Mom was recently released from the hospital after a 7 day bout with Neutropenic Sepsis, and has a 'touchy' immune system at best at the moment. I'm not sure if it's worth the risk to her.

jinx · 11-19-2003, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by FileNotFound

Without shots I tend to get flu at least 3 times during the winter and miss at least 2 days of work. In the end I just saw no reason NOT to get a flu shot and some possible benifits from it.

Wow, you would get flu 3 times in one season? That must suck. Is your immune system suppressed or comprimised for some reason?

Undertoad · 11-19-2003, 09:53 AM

I avoid the flu by not interacting with other humans.

FileNotFound · 11-19-2003, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jinx

Wow, you would get flu 3 times in one season? That must suck. Is your immune system suppressed or comprimised for some reason?

Actually I seem to get it when I'm really stressed out, stress for me really seems to kill my immune system. I can pretty much tell when I'm feeling stressed out enough that I'll get sick from something or other on the next week. The reason it's the flu is probably due to the number of people I see at work, college or on the train ride. There is always somebody sick with something around me.

Overall I know my immune system is alright but it's not some titanium shield. I used to have a lot of problems back in Russia with the flu, ear infections, stomach infections etc. The list goes on. The suggested treatment of the doctors was to stuff me full of antibiotics which really messed with my digestive system screwing me up further...

I don't see flu 3 times a season as terrible, I generaly recover in 3 days and only feel horrible 1 day. Plus I've never suffered from anything but the flu since I left Russia.

jinx · 11-19-2003, 10:15 AM

Stupid question then, but how do you know it's flu (which has symptoms generally lasting 7-10 days (fever >101F 3-4 days) with possible fatigue lasting 2-3 weeks)?

11-19-2003, 10:16 AM

He doesn't, and he's a fucking liar?

Just a guess.

jinx · 11-19-2003, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dave
He doesn't, and he's a fucking liar?

Just a guess.

Or he's getting the flu shot to battle the common cold....

Beestie · 11-19-2003, 10:18 AM

BLECCCCCCCCHHHHHHHH! NEVER!

And I haven't gotten the flu in years.

Seems like the vaccine is only a guess anyway. I don't see why they can't just snuff out the flu altogether. Doesn't it come from a specific region in China (not unlike SARS)?

And, FnF, I didn't think you could get the flu three times. Is that not how the vaccine works - you "get" the flu (even tho not really - just through dead viruses) and thus build up an immunity? Unless there are three diff flus each season, you're getting the flu and then two other things.

edited to correct dumb spelling error - content unchanged

april · 11-19-2003, 10:22 AM

I never get sick until Spring comes around. So I'm ok.

Dagney · 11-19-2003, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Beestie

Seems like the vaccine is only a guess anyway. I don't see why they can't just snuff out the flu altogether. Doesn't it come from a specific region in China (not unlike SARS)?

From what I remember during a tour of Wyeth (During an interview long ago and far away) they do statistical studies of flu cases and try to determine the likelihood of certain strains getting to the US (or whatever region they're producing for) during that year's flu season.

This year's flu vaccine recipe was determined last year and put together this past spring. It's a pot shot, but for the most part, it seems to work.

And as always, this is not 'fact', just memory from a degree I got 10 years ago.

Dagney

bmgb · 11-19-2003, 10:51 AM

I've never gotten a shot and I don't ever get the flu. Now that I've said that, I've probably jinxed myself. Maybe "jinx" is trying to jinx us all.

wolf · 11-19-2003, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Undertoad
I avoid the flu by not interacting with other humans.

I would genuinely love to avoid the flu in the same way, but this is not a valid option for me at this time.

I get the flu shot because I basically get exposed to everything. One of the big drawbacks of working in the hospital.

It seems to work, because in 10 years, the only sick days I've really taken were related to a broken toe (personal clumsiness), a broken hand (patient attack 1 year ago this week), and gall bladder removal.

11-19-2003, 09:21 AM	#1
jinx Come on, cat. Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: general vicinity of Philadelphia area Posts: 7,013	Flu shots? http://www.cnn.com/2003/HEALTH/11/17....ap/index.html So who's getting one? Anyone get them every year? How about for the kids - who thinks vaccinations are great and who's a quack conspiracy theorist? __________________ Crying won't help you, praying won't do you no good.

11-19-2003, 09:35 AM	#2
FileNotFound Intouch with his inner sheep rider. Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 603	Already got one, they were free at work so why not? Without shots I tend to get flu at least 3 times during the winter and miss at least 2 days of work. In the end I just saw no reason NOT to get a flu shot and some possible benifits from it. __________________ This is a rat. \|This is a hamster.\| This is a chipmunk.\| This is a Sheep Rider.

11-19-2003, 09:44 AM	#4
Dagney The Prodigal Brat Returneth Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: North Cackalacky Posts: 1,107	Generally I don't do the flu shot thing (it's an aversion to needles) and I rarely catch the flu. I will catch the common colds that float around, but they're not preventable (for the most part). But this year, with my mother doing intensive chemotherapy treatments and my being her primary caregiver, I'm seriously considering it, although I won't be doing the fluvent nasal treatment (because it is a live viral treatment), but instead do the stand by prick you in the arm flu shot of attenuated flu virus. My biggest concern is the possibility that I'll be contagous for a few days afterwards. Mom was recently released from the hospital after a 7 day bout with Neutropenic Sepsis, and has a 'touchy' immune system at best at the moment. I'm not sure if it's worth the risk to her. __________________ The Constitution gives every American the right to make a total fool out of himself. But that doesn't mean you need to.

11-19-2003, 10:15 AM	#8
jinx Come on, cat. Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: general vicinity of Philadelphia area Posts: 7,013	Stupid question then, but how do you know it's flu (which has symptoms generally lasting 7-10 days (fever >101F 3-4 days) with possible fatigue lasting 2-3 weeks)? __________________ Crying won't help you, praying won't do you no good.

11-19-2003, 10:18 AM	#11
Beestie -◊\|≡·∙■·∙≡\|◊- Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Parts unknown. Posts: 4,081	BLECCCCCCCCHHHHHHHH! NEVER! And I haven't gotten the flu in years. Seems like the vaccine is only a guess anyway. I don't see why they can't just snuff out the flu altogether. Doesn't it come from a specific region in China (not unlike SARS)? And, FnF, I didn't think you could get the flu three times. Is that not how the vaccine works - you "get" the flu (even tho not really - just through dead viruses) and thus build up an immunity? Unless there are three diff flus each season, you're getting the flu and then two other things. edited to correct dumb spelling error - content unchanged __________________ ♠ ♥ ♣ ♦

11-19-2003, 09:42 AM	#3
dave Guest Posts: n/a	I'm stupid and don't get them. I probably should.

11-19-2003, 09:53 AM	#6
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	I avoid the flu by not interacting with other humans.

11-19-2003, 10:16 AM	#9
dave Guest Posts: n/a	He doesn't, and he's a fucking liar? Just a guess.

11-19-2003, 10:22 AM	#12
april Guest Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 101	I never get sick until Spring comes around. So I'm ok.

11-19-2003, 10:51 AM	#14
bmgb Master of the Domain Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: MN Posts: 231	I've never gotten a shot and I don't ever get the flu. Now that I've said that, I've probably jinxed myself. Maybe "jinx" is trying to jinx us all. __________________ That gun will replace your tongue. You will learn to speak through it. And your poetry will be written in blood. - Nobody

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