Flu Shots? Good? Bad? Make me ill?

Hugh Heifer · 10-12-06, 08:54 PM

OK - so I am sitting here knowing full well that tomarrow is Friday and that will surely bring a full weekend of debauchery to the Heifer household and that Sunday I am going to Wide Spread Panic and won't get home til about 2:00AM and have to go to work. THe candle flames will be meeting in the middle about that point. Blah Blah. But I think I am getting sick.

So the cold and flu season approachith and I am reminded of last years problems with the flu vaccine, like there wasn't enough. But worse, I remember in the Army just before Desert Storm I was given a flu shot (at least that is what they said it was) and I got deathly ill and laid up for about two days with a fever, aches, etc. So the shot worked - I got the flu.

What do you guys think - any ill effects from flu shots? Are they worth the $25? Do they work? Or do they just give you the flu?

rachel1027 · 10-12-06, 09:19 PM

If you really "got" the flu, you would likely be sick for a lot longer than 2 days. Seriously, the flu knocks most people down for at least a week.

I get the flu shot every year. I never have any side effects or get sick from it.

Here is your best source of info though.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm

lockd-97 · 10-12-06, 09:30 PM

I got one last Friday. No sicky here.

GetsUThere · 10-12-06, 09:33 PM

So far I don't seem to get the flu without getting shots, so I don't get them.

Besides, one of these days they're going to get a bad batch of that stuff and 3/4 of the country will turn into mindless flesh eating zombies...

NorCalDoug · 10-13-06, 01:18 AM

flu shot = good

Dan_J-spec_fj62 · 10-13-06, 01:38 AM

I have a friend who's dad got his flu shot and anthrax vaccine on the same day... he wound up being parlized from the shoulders down for 9 months... He got medicaly discharged from the AirForce with full E-7 pay and benifits for the rest of his life (his wife sued the millitary) ...

all that being said I get a flu shot every year from Uncle Sam and it does not seem to bother me.

dan

ff347 · 10-13-06, 03:36 AM

I get a flu shot every year and am always glad to get it (government tracking device and all). I believe that you were allready exposed and your timing was just bad as far you getting sick and all.

Anthrax shot was the one I was worrying about getting. I am glad that idea sort of trickled out.

Hugh Heifer · 10-13-06, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rachel1027

If you really "got" the flu, you would likely be sick for a lot longer than 2 days. Seriously, the flu knocks most people down for at least a week.

Oh I was sick for more then 2 days - just immobile for 2. Of course it could have been the combo of the eight or so shots I got that day - and the government tracking device. Only ever got one other flu shot again and ended up sick tat year too.

tcb · 10-13-06, 06:51 AM

The Anthrax swole my shoulder up like a grapefruit.

The flu shot always makes me feel like shit. I quit taking it last year...

Noah · 10-13-06, 07:00 AM

The last one i took was about 7 or 8 years ago...........the last time i got the flu was 7 or 8 years ago..............

me no takey any more

BLKDOG40 · 10-13-06, 07:19 AM

After feeling like I was going to die from the flu during the new years weekend this year, I am making sure I get my first flu shot

Trunk Monkey · 10-13-06, 08:29 AM

I never got them until a few years ago, no problems yet. No flu while I've been getting it. A co-worker got one and was sick by that evening, out the next few days.

I will say that hansd down one of the biggest changes that's help is hand-washing and hand sanitizer. I keep a bottle of that on my desk, use it after being out of the office or meeting others, seems to have cut the # of colds down. I'm sure it'll develop into full blown OCD soon.

stinkyfj60 · 10-13-06, 08:38 AM

I avoid the flu shot and still dont get the flu... knock on wood.

Jan-78FJ40 · 10-13-06, 08:49 AM

Here's some information:
The real flu is a viral disease caused by the influenza virus. It is quite a serious thing, and knocks you out for a week, old an young, healthy and less healthy. Sometimes actually the healthier people suffer worse, since a lot of the symptoms are caused by the immune system overreacting, and healthier people tend to have a more robust immune response.
What we often call 'the flu', which take sus out of 2 days, or makes us feel weak for a few days, is NOT the real flu-if you had the real flu you'd remember. You are out with high fever, headache, and can't move and feel like REAL shit.
The flu vaccine is an inactivated virus (replication incompetent) or broken viral particles that prime the immune system. So if the real virus comes along, you already have antibodies to deal with it, and to take it out.
However, the vaccine is just a guess. Since the influenza strains mutate and vary, one can only guess in advance which one it will be this year. So the vaccine could work well-or not at all.
The vaccine per se should definitely not make you sick. Maybe a small immune reaction at the site of injection, maybe a slight headache for a few hours, but certainly not more-unless you are allergic against something in the vaccine. Some people are allergic against the solution the vaccine is dissolved in and such-that can be problematic.
hth
j

LoveTractor · 10-13-06, 10:16 AM

Dude. It's Widespread Panic. Not Wide Spread Panic.

And yes, I had the same reaction to a flu shot you did about 10 yrs ago. It sucked, but it's a chance you take. I have not gotten a flu shot in ages, but I do know that there is a slim chance that one can actually develop the flu from a flu shot even though it's supposed to prevent it.

And I'm goin' to Panic tonight.

IDave · 10-13-06, 11:31 AM

Quit whining and take your shot, you wimp wenises.

GregFrench · 10-13-06, 11:35 AM

Get the damn shot and enjoy your show.

The only side effect I have ever had is a sore arm.

yooper · 10-13-06, 11:42 AM

bunch a wussies. just get the damn shot.

Brian in Oregon · 10-13-06, 11:44 AM

Do not get the flu shot if you are already sick with something, like a sore throat, sinus infection, common cold, etc. It screws up the anti-body process and you can wind up being more suceptible to the flu while you are sick. After you are well, then get the shot. My doctor told me this was the biggest mistake and reason people get the flu after taking a flu shot. I went in to get one but at the time had a chronic sinus infection and he said no, and explained it.

NMuzj100 · 10-13-06, 11:52 AM

Unless it is an optional part of a 56-shot tour of nasty diseases available in Aisa given by Uncle Sam I say take the shot.

I've never gotten sick from the flu shot. The Yellow Fever shot sucks. Just say no to multiple shots in one day...

The Flu shot is a good investment. The Flu shot for your spouse is an even better investment.