Do you get flu shots?

[Abby Normal]

I get mine. Work pays for them and they come on site so it's pretty easy. We don't seem to have the flu here (west coast) like they do on the east. Thank God because it looks like the entire population there is miserable for months.

[The Captain]

I get it every year but I'm high risk (respiratory problems). Generally I'm pretty healthy and don't get sick (colds, flu, etc) but my doctor is pretty insistent on my getting the shot (along with the pneumonia booster when needed) given my medical history. Since she's got the MD and treats a lot of people with my condition I gotta respect her judgment.

A lot of people don't take the flu seriously but as you know from firsthand experience it can be very nasty. Like all the other bugs which we have vaccines for, I figure the overall benefits far outweigh the risks.

How old are your kids? I was lucky, DD never had a problem with needles (good thing too as she had years of allergy treatments!). Can you promise them a treat (they get to pick a movie to rent, pick their favorite dinner, etc) if they show the doctor how brave they can be?

Good luck!

[Tennesseer]

Every year. Never any negative reactions.

[midjd]

Nope. Never had a flu shot, never had the flu, don't work around kids or the elderly, and don't have kids.

[Green Eyed Lady]

I am on my 4th day of being home with what was diagnosed as Influenza A. About Tuesday, I thought I was going to die and I didn't care if I did. I don't believe I have ever been this sick. Get your shot and get your kids their shots. I had an appointment to get my shot yesterday. I waited too long.

[Abby Normal]

Sept 28, 2012 12:24:28 GMT -5 @wrongsideof30 said:

They are 8 and 6 and REALLY embarrassed me last time.

Mine is 10 and pitched such a fit last time for his immunizations, they had to do one twice.

[Green Eyed Lady]

Thank you, wrongside. I'm much better today.

[Savoir Faire-Demogague in NJ]

I have never had a flu shot, because I never get sick.
My company provides free flu shots to the employees.

[Driftr]

My kids and wife get a flu mist sprayed up their nose. Costs more, but no arguments. I don't get a flu shot because I rarely if ever get sick and the one time I can recall actually having the flu was a year I got a shot.

[chiver78]

Sept 28, 2012 12:24:46 GMT -5 midjd said:

Nope. Never had a flu shot, never had the flu, don't work around kids or the elderly, and don't have kids.

I also have the immune system of a lab rat, and am a little wary of the shot from memories of my Nana getting sick from it every year. why would I voluntarily introduce a virus to my system?

[Abby Normal]

Sept 28, 2012 12:31:54 GMT -5 @wrongsideof30 said:

How would you go about that -building immunity from the flu?

Lick some one who is sick?

[swasat]

Sept 28, 2012 12:32:51 GMT -5 @lonewolf said:

Sept 28, 2012 12:31:54 GMT -5 @wrongsideof30 said:

How would you go about that -building immunity for the flu?

By coming down with it.

Every year?

Coz last I knew getting the flu one year does not make you immune to it the next year.

[Green Eyed Lady]

How sweet, Lonewolf. I would love some. I don't have the energy for more than going to the freezer for a bomb pop that my mom brought me!

[Green Eyed Lady]

Lick some one who is sick?

LOL!! Well? I guess I could volunteer since it's for a good cause.

[kent]

I get a "cold" about once every 4-5 years and so I have generally passed on the shot.

That said, last year the doctor twisted my arm to get one and I ended up with a horrible cough for about two months.

This year he started in on me again, I refused and told him about last year. His response was that I apparently have an extremely strong (sensitive?) immune system that took exception to the shot and reacted accordingly to a foreign intrusion.

[Green Eyed Lady]

Bomb pop??

blocked due to malware/-KnrWV8bowI8/T61AmDnIJfI/AAAAAAAAEOo/4SmAtYvMH_M/s1600/bombpop.jpg[/img]


YUM!

[zibazinski]

I got flu shots when I taught school and the year after so that my DD would get it. I didn't last year but with DFs compromised immune system, I should.

[Green Eyed Lady]

You make me chicken soup, I'll give you a Bomb Pop!

[Green Eyed Lady]

Thanks, Lone.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

I have to get one every year, it is mandatory since I work at a medical center. DH gets one free thru his workplace as well but it is voluntary.

I get one because I have a child. People often equate colds and "stomach bugs" with influenza but actual influenza is some scary fucking shit. I suggest people read up on the 1918 flu if they think they understand how influenza works nad that they are safe because they are "young and healthy".

It often isn't influenza that kills you, but the stuff that piggy backs on. Most people die from pneumonia complicatiosn brought on by the flu. I'd rather not drown in my own bodily fluids so I get the flu shot. I also have an immuno compromised grandfather and would rather not risk killing him.

[midjd]

If the flu shot actually guaranteed you wouldn't get the flu (like smallpox, polio, measles, etc.), I might feel differently. But it only protects against whatever they decide the most common strain is that year... some protection is probably better than none, but it's no guarantee you won't still get sick.

[The Captain]

(Feeling real guilty as I sit here slurping up chicken soup) GEL - sending some good thoughts your way, get rest and get better!

[wvugurl26]

I have some odd immune system. I think it is because of allergies. Even when I was a kid I didn't come down with crap. I never got chicken pox despite repeated exposures. I got a flu shot freshman year at mom's insistence. I had the nastiest upper respiratory infection that year.

Work gives them for free. I don't partake. I was diagnosed with additional food allergies last year and egg was one of them. I have no interest in taking the live virus one.

I do have respiratory crap but oh well.

[swamp]

I do. I have children, DH works at a hospital, I work with the public. I have asthma, so if I get the flu, it can be a problem.

[Phoenix84]

I get a flu shot, work pays for it. I just have to go across the street and get it, and it takes less than 10 minutes.

[swamp]

I did the non YM thing and had it done at the doc's office when I was there for an appt.

I actually have a gift card for a free flu shot at Walgreens, but I can't be bothered to stop.

[spicyhotpepper]

Sept 28, 2012 12:41:48 GMT -5 @celtophile said:

I've never gotten a flu shot, and I can't remember the last time I had any kind of flu, must be over twenty years ago by now. The older I get the healthier I get. These days I don't even get colds. DH, on the other hand, gets every little thing that comes down the pike and then some. Part of it is a compromised immune system, but I really think some of it is a self-fulfilling prophecy. He "knows" he's going to catch every little thing and so he does. The mind is a powerful thing and it is possible to think yourself sick or well.

Wow, sounds like my husband... he's "sick" right now and I can't tell if it's real or in his mind like many things seem to be.

I myself did get the flu shot once when I interned in a hospital, and although they swear up and down it won't make you sick, I did get the flu the next day... and I rarely get the flu.

[mollyanna58]

A few years ago, my doctor asked if I wanted a flu shot. I told her I had never had the flu and never had a flu shot. She said "I don't know how to respond to that." Then she said since I was under 50, I could pass on the shot.

[Colleenz]

DS and I are both scheduled to get our shots in October. I bribe him to behave for the shot. Amazing what the offer of $5 will do.

[souldoubt]

Sept 28, 2012 12:58:41 GMT -5 midjd said:

If the flu shot actually guaranteed you wouldn't get the flu (like smallpox, polio, measles, etc.), I might feel differently. But it only protects against whatever they decide the most common strain is that year... some protection is probably better than none, but it's no guarantee you won't still get sick.

Agreed. Also every year when they talk about the flu on the news it's a strain that the shots don't protect against.

I've had the flu once in my life about 11 years ago and like GEL I wanted to die at one point. Couldn't eat, couldn't sleep for more than an hour or so it seemed without waking up having no idea where the hell I was or what was going on and so on. That said I'll refrain from pumping that crap into my body as long as possible.