Did everyone get a flu shot?

CypressCynthia said:

Angie, you can not get the

Angie, you can not get the flu from the flu shot.  It is impossible because there is no active inflenza virus in the vaccine. 

You were probably already getting sick.  This is what they call anecdotal evidence.  Sort of like, you drink milk and then get sick and assume that the milk made you sick and, come to find out, you had a strep throat.  No connection, but, in your mind, the connection is very real.

You can have an adverse allergic type of reaction to the vaccine, but you can not, I repeat, can not get the flu from the shot!

Reactions to the flu shot:
The most common reaction to the flu shot in adults has been soreness, redness or swelling at the spot where the shot was given. This usually lasts less than two days. This initial soreness is most likely the result of the body’s early immune response reacting to a foreign substance entering the body. Other reactions following the flu shot are usually mild and can include a low grade fever and aches. If these reactions occur, they usually begin soon after the shot and last 1-2 days. The most common reactions people have to flu vaccine are considerably less severe than the symptoms caused by actual flu illness.  http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/misconceptions.htm

 

My aunt who was 76 at the time got the flu shot.The very next day she was so sick she stayed in bed for 3 days.Never moved.her daughter came over to fix her a little something to eat but she said she'd never been that sick.My friend said she got sick the day after the shot last year but this year she didn't have any problems.

Both had the aches, vomiting, fevers.

Lynn Smith  

CypressCynthia said:

P.S.  The answer to your

P.S.  The answer to your question is YES!  I always get the flu shot and I make darn sure that all of my family gets it too, just to add an extra layer of protection for me.  I have never, ever had any reaction other than local irritation and tenderness.  BTW, my infectious disease doc says that the flu shots makes your immune system "smarter" and having the flu shot annually may really booster your immune system.  This year's success rate is less than perfect, but I would still recommend getting it. 

My older sister, a physician who always gets her flu shot, had the flu unseasonably early this year in September before she had a chance to get her shot.  She had inflenza A, which is  usually covered by this year's shot.  She was kicking herself that she did not get the shot as soon as it came out because, besides being terribly ill for a week, she missed work and she is self employed and has no paid time off.

For AGAIN repeating that the flu vaccine is a KILLED vaccine and can not give the flu.  Of course there can be someèwho have more reaction to the vaccine due to allergic reactions and those whose bodies do not actually develope the immunity - but they are few and far between in documentation (both my Sons fall in that group for 'hard'  measles - 1 still for mumps with the newer vaccines.  Bottom line - they were current on MMR and had had a booster less than a year before because of an outbreak in eastern WA and we were in SW FL (19191) when exposed while at a well kid appt.  Guess what I'm saying is that there will never a 'perfect' anything BUT vaccines save so many.  Lets remember what polio was before the Salk vaccine, small pox was(I have a somewhat unique/strange story that happened to me in 1955 when trying to leave France to come back to the States.).  Are any of them perfect for everyone - NOPE - but so much better than nothing!

It is always strange to me that some will not bother to do 'research' but listen to whatever story they see on TV or from 'somebodies aunt's/uncle's friend's cousin' said something and believe everything said with out actually checking FACTS.

WInyan - The Power Within

Susan

CypressCynthia said:

Tdap

Thanks Susan.  And while we are on the vaccine subject, did you know the recent serious outbreaks of whooping cough amongst our very young are often caused by older folks carrying the disease.  The adults' earlier vaccines have worn off and they may have a very mild case of pertussis, but the disease kills can be deadly to babies and toddlers.

It absolutely breaks my heart when I walk through Peds and hear these kids coughing and fighting for their lives when this is so preventable.

Ask your physician if you are due for your Tdap booster--this is not the regular tetanus shot, so if you are not sure if you have had it, you probably have not!

Also, here is a very short and simple CDC vaccine quiz (7 questions) that will let you know exactly what vaccines you should have by age and current medical history.  Please take it and print it out for your primary provider: http://www2a.cdc.gov/nip/adultimmsched/

"Are adults causing whooping cough epidemic?" http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/healthy_kids/Are-adults-causing-whooping-cough-epidemic.html

Please, please spread the word!

I haven't got it and I probably will not.  I am "one of those" that still think you can get the flu from the shot, especially if your immune system might be comprimised.  If it weren't true, then why do oncologist's not let their patients get it?  Hmmm

Sue

CypressCynthia said:

The best advice is always to

The best advice is always to ask your physician whether you should get the flu shot or not, but it is impossible to get the flu from the shot.

The below is posted on an oncology site:

"We do suggest that our patients receive the flu shot, but to schedule the shot in between treatments, at a time when the white blood cell count is close to normal. The vaccine is made from an inactivated virus, so there is no risk of getting the flu from the shot. The vaccine works by causing the body to produce an immune response against the flu virus. But our concern is that, if the immune system is suppressed, the patient may not produce that immune response, thus making the vaccine ineffective."

http://www.oncolink.org/experts/article.cfm?id=2156

I think we all agree that it is always the best to ask your doctor about the flu shot or any other shot you might get.  I think most do, or, I hope so.

I am not the only one obviously, that was told by their oncologist that he didn't want me getting the flu shot.  I am sure some oncologist's would say to go ahead, but, I choose to do what mine says.

Also, if the flu shot cannot give you the flu and if the immune response to it would be ineffective, why not go ahead and give it to their patient anyway?  What harm could it do? 

I love all of our opinions, advice and helpful tips.  That's part of what makes this site so great!

Sue

Rague said:

Pertussis/Whooping Couph

Good reminder -  I probably need a new shot. (Is this  one that IF you had as a child - immunity is ongoing?)  I got one a couple years ago - took G-daughter to a well kid appt and her Dr insisted I had to have one - so did.  I see my PA next Friday so will check if I'm due.

You probably did get it then.  I received mine back in 2006, when it was recommended at work to protect my babies.

jamiegww said:

My primary doctor asked me to

My primary doctor asked me to get the whooping cough vaccine several months ago so I let her nurse give it to me.  I figured it was because she was pregnant and I trusted that she knew best.

As for the flu vaccine.....my husband got it back in October or November and now he has the flu and strep throat.  He is taking Tamiflu and his doctor suggested I contact my doctor so I am also taking Tamiflu.  My oncologist office gave me my flu shot several months ago when I was getting chemo.  I am trying to be sympathetic to my husband while he is sick but I'm also worried that he will infect me so I'm keeping my distance.  This years flu must be sneaky kind of like cancer can be?

 

HUGS!!!

Jamie

It is sneaky and dangerous.I do community service work(spay neuter clinics) and get hundreds of calls.Everyone I talked to since Sept was fighting it(like me) or a family member was very ill.This virus they say has been just starting but it's been going on since  Sept.And like everyone says it's serious.My husband got the flu shot shortly after I got this crude.I coughed so much I was sure he would get it but didn't. We never have passed things to one another though for years.We're cautious for one but try to stay well.We wash our hands constantly.More than most would.Try not to cough around one another.Cover our mouth(most people don't when they're in publis(I should say about all don't). If they cough near us we go the other way. 

Jamie, I hope you and any others that haven't had it never get it.I was getting Vitamin IV's after getting depleted from bronciitis. With this  epedimic I told the doctors office I won't  be back till this calms  down. Not one patient in there would cover their mouth when coughing.Just splattered their crude all over the place. RUDE!!!!

Lynn Smith 

Rague said:

Pertussis/Whooping Couph

Good reminder -  I probably need a new shot. (Is this  one that IF you had as a child - immunity is ongoing?)  I got one a couple years ago - took G-daughter to a well kid appt and her Dr insisted I had to have one - so did.  I see my PA next Friday so will check if I'm due.

I did not and will not get a flu shot, at least not this year.  Like others, I also got really, really sick right after I got the shot before and I think I'd rather just take my chances.

I hope the flu season is winding down now.  It seems to be.

 I didn't get the flu shot. I did not get the flu yet but

Ritzy said:

I think we all agree that it

I think we all agree that it is always the best to ask your doctor about the flu shot or any other shot you might get.  I think most do, or, I hope so.

I am not the only one obviously, that was told by their oncologist that he didn't want me getting the flu shot.  I am sure some oncologist's would say to go ahead, but, I choose to do what mine says.

Also, if the flu shot cannot give you the flu and if the immune response to it would be ineffective, why not go ahead and give it to their patient anyway?  What harm could it do? 

I love all of our opinions, advice and helpful tips.  That's part of what makes this site so great!

 

Sue

Many have written Sue that their doctor told them NOT to get the flu shot.  I've also read where some have said not to get the pneumonia or shingles shot.  Always best to ask and do what your OWN doctor says.