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Flu Vaccination
#1

Flu Vaccination
I had a doctor's appointment a few days ago, and the new flu vaccines are now out and available.  So I got vaccinated while there.  It's that time of the year again, flu season and it may be a an active flu season with some nasty strains out there.

So it is time to think about getting a vaccination to avoid the sheer misery of getting the flu.

I ain't scared of no needle!
I am a sovereign citizen of the Multiverse, and I vote!


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#2

Flu Vaccination
I used to get the flu shot yearly when I worked in a healthcare setting. But I slacked off when I left that area for quite a few years.

Then the flight to Chicago and my seat was next to the sickest person on the plane. Within 48 hrs it was starting to kick my ass as well as my husbands, for the next week while we were visiting family for the holidays. ugh.

it’s one thing to be really sick and it’s worse when you are traveling and can’t be in your own bed.

I never want a repeat of that, I will get my flu shot every year without hesitation.
aka: Bows & Arrows
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#3

Flu Vaccination
I used to always avoid the flu shot. I try to make sure to stay away from anything that I don't absolutely need. But then I got MS and my name was put on the system of people who need these kind of things. So I got my first ever flu shot last year. My worry is that if I get anything like flu then it might stimulate the immune system and it will start attack my nerves. An attack of flu (or even a prolonged really stressful situation) could leave me disabled.

When I finally had the injection, I was surprised how little it hurt. It's not at all like giving blood.
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#4

Flu Vaccination
Emphysema makes the flu shot mandatory. Last year's didn't work all that well and I got the flu and double pneumonia (they apparently go hand in hand?) and wound up in ICU. First time I've had the flu in twenty years.

I will get my flu shot Tuesday, because one-offs don't make a case for me.
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#5

Flu Vaccination
I also need it because of breathing issues. I have been getting it faithfully for several years now, and I must say I have not caught the flu in that time. I used to catch it every year and it turned into bronchitis and pneumonia and my lungs are a ruin.


During flu season, I also stay away from crowds, doctor's offices and I wipe my shopping cart and hands before and after shopping. Another rule, not to touch one's face, is much harder than one thinks. I am even less social during flu season.
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#6

Flu Vaccination
I have been getting the flu shot for several years.
Last year's vaccine was not terribly effective, like 35% or so.
I got the flu - I can't remember being sicker.  In bed for a week, fever, chills, vomiting, coughing - the whole nine yards.

I got this year's vaccine a couple of weeks ago.  Here's hoping it's more successful.
“Religion is excellent stuff for keeping common people quiet. 
Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich.”
― Napoleon Bonaparte
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#7

Flu Vaccination
(10-01-2018, 03:50 PM)Chas link Wrote: I have been getting the flu shot for several years.
Last year's vaccine was not terribly effective, like 35% or so.
I got the flu - I can't remember being sicker.  In bed for a week, fever, chills, vomiting, coughing - the whole nine yards.

I got this year's vaccine a couple of weeks ago.  Here's hoping it's more successful.

I have heard (not sure if its true) that the first batch put out is really just an educated guess on the strains, but as the season wears on they tweak the formula to account for the strains that they are actually seeing in patients.

Does anyone know if thats true? if so, I wonder if it might be beneficial to get a booster around the end of the year or whenever it is released?



aka: Bows & Arrows
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#8

Flu Vaccination
Aside from the common cold, I have not had a sick day since 1983. I have had no flu, and I have never had any measles, mumps, chicken pox etc as a child or adult.

Maybe something's wrong with me ...
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#9

Flu Vaccination
I give myself 3 allergy injections every week so a flu shot is nothing.  I usually wait until the first of November 1st for my flu shot.  My husband is a teacher and he's brought home just about every strain of flu, colds, stomach flu and every virus known to man.  I think I've contracted everything already but viruses evolve so I still get a flu shot. 
                                                         T4618
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#10

Flu Vaccination
I always take sani-wipes with me to the store and do not touch a shopping cart handle until I have wiped it down real good.  I do not rely on the stores here actually having any available.  This year for the school season that started in September, Houston suffered an out break of pink eye.  Yes, the world is out to get us.
I am a sovereign citizen of the Multiverse, and I vote!


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#11

Flu Vaccination
Our flu vaccination season is now over in Australia, but I've never once been vaccinated for flu, since 1982—and never had the flu either.  (Touch wood!)

This year's batch (Fluad or Fluzone) was, according to immunologists, less than 15% effective, as apparently the strains it was developed for further mutated before the vaccine could be modified.  At any rate, according to the Cochrane Review, the infection rate in adults only drops from 2% per year to 1% per year.

You could say that it's halved, but effectively it only drops by 1%, which means that out of every 100 healthy adults vaccinated, 99 get no benefit against laboratory confirmed influenza.

Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2016, Issue 12).

And call me a cynic, but I'm not convinced that so-called big pharma has nothing to do with federal government decisions authorising public vaccination programs—big dollars for everyone.

What's telling is that the government has said in official documentation that "The vaccine is not 100% effective but it does provide a high level of protection and can reduce symptoms in those still getting sick".  This is at odds with Cochrane.
I'm a creationist;   I believe that man created God.
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#12

Flu Vaccination
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918, the deadliest in history.  It infected an estimated 500 million people worldwide—about one-third of the planet’s population—and killed an estimated 20 million to 50 million victims.  This year's "Aussie flu" is a descendant of that virus.

There is an excellent article on flu in the 6th January 2018 issue of New Scientist.  It explains what makes the virus lethal and why the vaccines are not always as good as we would like.  The big problem is that nearly all flu vaccines are made of viruses grown in hens' eggs in a process which takes from six to eight months.  Virologists must predict months in advance which viruses will circulate so companies can grow the right vaccines.  One issue in producing effective vaccines appears to be due to mutations that occur during the vaccine's production.  Antibodies to the strain used to make the vaccine might be effective against the strain circulating, but when grown in eggs it was observed last year that the viruses that emerged induced antibodies that significantly missed the circulating strains.  The article stresses that it is still sensible to get vaccinated.  Fewer vaccinated than unvaccinated people got sick in Australia this past season.  Vaccination is the best way to reduce your likelihood of getting the flu, or getting it badly.  Common sense hygiene won't hurt either.

It also pays to get vaccinated against pneumonia.  The way flu kills directly is mostly by causing viral pneumonia, a deep infection that damages the lungs' oxygen-absorbing membranes.  Pneumonia can also happen indirectly if the flu virus wipes out immune cells that normally keep bacteria in your lungs at bay, triggering a bacterial infection.  Pneumonia linked to flu is the fourth biggest killer of women in the UK and the sixth biggest killer of men.

[https://www.newscientist.com/issue/3159/]
No gods necessary
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#13

Flu Vaccination
I remember just a few years ago getting the flu for the first time in forever. Kicked my ever loving ass...

Getting the shot, whether it's effective or not. That shit sucks...
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#14

Flu Vaccination
I can't recall the last time I had the flu, and I've never gotten the shot.
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#15

Flu Vaccination
(10-02-2018, 03:04 AM)Tartarus Sauce link Wrote: I can't recall the last time I had the flu, and I've never gotten the shot.

That used to be my credo, then I got the flu.

Get the shot, it's not just for you. Herd immunity is a thing and it protects those who are too young or old or sick to get the shot themselves.

It's not just about you, it's important.
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#16

Flu Vaccination
(10-02-2018, 03:07 AM)evenheathen link Wrote:
Tartarus Sauce Wrote:I can't recall the last time I had the flu, and I've never gotten the shot.

That used to be my credo, then I got the flu.

Get the shot, it's not just for you. Herd immunity is a thing and it protects those who are too young or old or sick to get the shot themselves.

It's not just about you, it's important.

But I hate needles.  Sad
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#17

Flu Vaccination
(10-02-2018, 03:09 AM)Tartarus Sauce link Wrote:
evenheathen Wrote:
Tartarus Sauce Wrote:I can't recall the last time I had the flu, and I've never gotten the shot.

That used to be my credo, then I got the flu.

Get the shot, it's not just for you. Herd immunity is a thing and it protects those who are too young or old or sick to get the shot themselves.

It's not just about you, it's important.

But I hate needles.  Sad

I assure you, getting the flu yourself or taking the time to do your part to protect those who can't protect themselves is well worth the tiny pinprick that is a flu shot.

My five year old just recently inadvertently ate an almond, had a reaction and took a hit from an epi pen but didn't shed a tear, because he knew it had to be done.

Man the fuck up.  Dodgy
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#18

Flu Vaccination
(10-02-2018, 03:14 AM)evenheathen link Wrote:
Tartarus Sauce Wrote:
evenheathen Wrote:
Tartarus Sauce Wrote:I can't recall the last time I had the flu, and I've never gotten the shot.

That used to be my credo, then I got the flu.

Get the shot, it's not just for you. Herd immunity is a thing and it protects those who are too young or old or sick to get the shot themselves.

It's not just about you, it's important.

But I hate needles.  Sad

I assure you, getting the flu yourself or taking the time to do your part to protect those who can't protect themselves is well worth the tiny pinprick that is a flu shot.

My five year old just recently inadvertently ate an almond, had a reaction and took a hit from an epi pen but didn't shed a tear, because he knew it had to be done.

Man the fuck up.  Dodgy

You seem to forget that my defining forum persona is that fact that I'm a pussy.
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#19

Flu Vaccination
I ALWAYS have the injection site get hot and incredibly sore. Like, can't sleep that night and sometimes even the next night because my whole arm hurts so bad.  This year was the first time that didn't happen.  Wasn't ache-y in the least.  AND Harris Teeter not only gave me my flu shot for free, they gave me a $5 coupon for there at the same time.  So it was like getting paid to get the shot.  I made hubby get one the next day.  We got free ice cream and candy bars.
Where are we going and why am I in this hand basket?
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#20

Flu Vaccination
And by the way, it seems like I recall there is a squirt-it-in-your-mouth alternative for needle-phobics.  It just isn't as reliable.  Does anybody know if I'm remembering that right?
Where are we going and why am I in this hand basket?
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#21

Flu Vaccination
(10-02-2018, 03:09 AM)Tartarus Sauce link Wrote:
evenheathen Wrote:
Tartarus Sauce Wrote:I can't recall the last time I had the flu, and I've never gotten the shot.

That used to be my credo, then I got the flu.

Get the shot, it's not just for you. Herd immunity is a thing and it protects those who are too young or old or sick to get the shot themselves.

It's not just about you, it's important.

But I hate needles.  Sad

You barely feel a flu shot. They’re super easy, you can do it!
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#22

Flu Vaccination
(10-02-2018, 03:29 AM)outtathereligioncloset link Wrote: I ALWAYS have the injection site get hot and incredibly sore. Like, can't sleep that night and sometimes even the next night because my whole arm hurts so bad.  This year was the first time that didn't happen.  Wasn't ache-y in the least.  AND Harris Teeter not only gave me my flu shot for free, they gave me a $5 coupon for there at the same time.  So it was like getting paid to get the shot.  I made hubby get one the next day.  We got free ice cream and candy bars.

I suppose different people will react differently, I've never had any problem other than a slightly sore shoulder.
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#23

Flu Vaccination
(10-02-2018, 03:27 AM)Tartarus Sauce link Wrote: You seem to forget that my defining forum persona is that fact that I'm a pussy.

Yes, it's mildly entertaining.  Read

Man, I like that newspaper smiley even more than the cup. It's slightly more dismissive and shit.  Deadpan Coffee Drinker
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#24

Flu Vaccination
Ahhhh yes, pneumonia vaccine! I got that last year at my doctor's suggestion.  Recommended for older patients or those with other health issues that might be a problem if you get pneumonia.  It helps if the flu vaccination doesn't do the job.
I am a sovereign citizen of the Multiverse, and I vote!


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#25

Flu Vaccination
(10-02-2018, 03:09 AM)Tartarus Sauce link Wrote:
evenheathen Wrote:
Tartarus Sauce Wrote:I can't recall the last time I had the flu, and I've never gotten the shot.

That used to be my credo, then I got the flu.

Get the shot, it's not just for you. Herd immunity is a thing and it protects those who are too young or old or sick to get the shot themselves.

It's not just about you, it's important.

But I hate needles.  Sad
One of my friends in the USN, Andre, was a combat veteran and a survivor of Cabrini Green. He would dive off a building into a cup of water if you dared him. (Crazy makes great endearing if you haven't noticed.)

But when it came time for shots four of us escorted him to sick bay and surrounded him while the doc tried to harpoon a violently jinking target. When the needle finally connected Andre would faint.
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