New Reason To Get Your Flu Shot...
By LadyMarissa
@LadyMarissa (12148)
United States
September 21, 2010 12:56pm CST
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE68J3RU20100920
According to the Canadian Medical Association Journal, people who get their Flu Shot every year are LESS likely to have a heart attack within the 12 months that follow the shot. Research in the UK tends to prove this fact. Due to a medical condition 20 years ago, my doctor insists that I get the Flu Shot every year. Since my doc said "you have a choice...Flu Shot or death", I have been taking the Flu Shot every fall for the last 20 years. I have found it beneficial in controlling the number of colds I get every winter. I used to stay sick ALL winter long with one cold after another. I've not had a cold in 20 years now!!! I hear people say they won't take it because they hear it gives them the Flu. I will admit that the very first year that I took it, I had a really MILD case of the Flu...I felt bad for 3 days. However, since then...NOTHING but being healthier!!! 
Do you get your Flu Shot every year??? Why or why not??? Does this new information change the way you feel about taking the shot???
Do you get your Flu Shot every year??? Why or why not??? Does this new information change the way you feel about taking the shot???4 people like this
12 responses
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
21 Sep 10
Well, it doesn't make a difference to me about the heart attack statistics. I try to eat as healthily as possible and I get a flu shot every year anyway.
I've gotten a flu shot every year for close to 30 years now. I used to have chronic bronchitis and getting a cold or the flu would definitely bring it on which I hated because nothing worked to control my coughing except codiene and I really don't like taking codiene because it makes me so groggy.
I haven't been really sick for quite awhile now. Oh, I've gotten sick but, whatever it was, it was always mild since I started getting the flu shot every year. Also, I haven't had bronchitis for a long time now. 
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
8 Oct 10
It could be true simply because, if you get the shot, you won't get really sick, so you won't be putting an extra strain on your heart. I dunno but it makes sense, huh? Maybe a little?
Thanks for the BR! The timing is a bit ironic because I just got my flu shot three days ago. This year, the h1n1 vaccine is included with the regular flu vaccine, along with one other I can't remember. Apparently, it's going to be a bad flu year, since three strains are expected. Glad I got my shot!
Have you had yours yet?
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
21 Sep 10
I can't take Codeine as I'm allergic to it!!! I'm not that concerned about the heart attack either, but did find it an interesting fact!!! Since I don't trust doctors, I wonder if that fact is actually true???
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
21 Sep 10
Why every 6 months??? That sounds like a little overkill to me!!! Well, if that's what you feel you need...so be it!!!
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
8 Oct 10
My old doctor (the one I had before I moved to a new State) told me that it's not a bad idea to get a flu shot every six months because they only last in our bodies for six months.
The thing is, most people don't get the vaccine in the Spring because the flu is not nearly as prevalent in Spring and Summer. Before I started getting it every year (in the Fall) I never got the flu in the Spring or Summer but I've known a few people who have. Still, it's not very likely that I'll catch it then so I'll just stick to getting mine in the Fall.
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
22 Oct 10
Better late than never!!!! 
Just glad you're here now!!!
The very first shot I took 20 years ago made me slightly ill. Since then...nothing!!! My doctor told me to always take an Aleve, Tylenol, Advil, etc immediately after taking the shot to ward off any ill feelings afterward. I didn't do that the first year, but did for the next several years after that, Then I stopped as I wasn't having any problems!!! I would still rather be slightly sick for a week after the shot than to risk a full case of the flu throughout the winter!!!
Just glad you're here now!!!
The very first shot I took 20 years ago made me slightly ill. Since then...nothing!!! My doctor told me to always take an Aleve, Tylenol, Advil, etc immediately after taking the shot to ward off any ill feelings afterward. I didn't do that the first year, but did for the next several years after that, Then I stopped as I wasn't having any problems!!! I would still rather be slightly sick for a week after the shot than to risk a full case of the flu throughout the winter!!! 
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
24 Sep 10
I do get the flu shot every year. My previous doctor told me the flu shot can't cause the flu. He said it was all a myth. Because of my age it was suggested a few years ago I get the shot. Am scheduled to get it next week. I didn't know the flu shot can cause prevention of a heart attack. That's good, positive news.
1 person likes this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
24 Sep 10
That's odd!!! A nurse that was giving me my shot a few years back told me that the old shots were made from a live virus & did used to give a mild case of the flu in order to protect us. However, the new flu vaccines do NOT use the live vaccine & NO LONGER give us a mild case of the flu. If she was correct, then the story is NOT a myth, but it just NO LONGER applies!!! Personally, I think the heart attack aspect is no more than hype to give many a reason to take the shot. However, I do think the flu shot is IMPORTANT to certain groups of people..the chronically ill, the elderly (yes you & me ROFLMAO), people who work in the health profession, people who work direct with large groups of the public (meaning cashiers at supercenters, grocery stores, etc), & teachers. I probably would have stopped taking mine, but there was an overlap between being chronically ill & becoming elderly!!! 
@mrsmakawak (90)
• Canada
22 Sep 10
Im allergic to the flu shot so I can't get it. I got it once and I was so sick for a month it was ridiculous. It was terrible so I just keep up on Vitamins and keeping healthy without the flu shot
1 person likes this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
24 Sep 10
That's the BEST reason I've heard for not taking the Flu Shot!!! As with any other med, one out of every so many hundred thousand can't tolerate it. Since they have now learned to tell us when we are predisposed to cancer or other diseases, you'd think there would be a test telling us when we will have an adverse reaction to any medication without having to take it first!!!
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
21 Sep 10
This doesn't change my determination to avoid the flu shot. There is some unsubstantiated research that showed people who got the shot every year got Alzheimer's more than those that did not and that was the only discernible difference. (I think it's genetic but who knows?) I don't know what's in that shot and if the government is encouraging us to get it there must be something in it that would benefit them, not us. Yes, I'm extremely suspicious of the government! 
I can afford, health-wise, to have the flu. I haven't had it for 20 years even though I've been around people who are contagious. I think the more that the average, healthy person (not ones like you) exposes themselves to germs and viruses the stronger our immune systems become.
We're not giving our immune systems any work these days, they don't have to manufacture antibodies or protect against anything-is it any wonder so many people get sick so often?!
I can afford, health-wise, to have the flu. I haven't had it for 20 years even though I've been around people who are contagious. I think the more that the average, healthy person (not ones like you) exposes themselves to germs and viruses the stronger our immune systems become.
We're not giving our immune systems any work these days, they don't have to manufacture antibodies or protect against anything-is it any wonder so many people get sick so often?!1 person likes this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
21 Sep 10
I agree with you about the antibodies!!! I firmly believe we need some germs in order to ward off other germs. The ONLY preventive meds I take is the Flu Shot once a year & some Vitamins (I don't consider those meds).
I think you know I don't trusts the medical profession & I trust our government even less!!! When I first saw the headlines, my thought was what are they trying to trick us into doing? Then I read it was the Canadians & UK research that came to these conclusions, my first thought was Who in our government tricked them into going along with this???
I fought taking the Flu Shot for years. My doc told on me to my Mom & she cried because I was killing myself. I took the first couple of shots to keep her happy. Then I realized I was having a lot less respiratory problems so I continue to take it. Alzheimer runs in my Dad's side of the family, so I'll probably have it anyway. Having no family left, but a brother, I'm sure he'll stash me away in a nursing home & I won't know if I care!!!
@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
21 Sep 10
Hi LadyM,
I have been getting my flu shots every year too and it had helped me as I have asthma and prone to flues and colds but since taking my shots, I am from cold, I have a friend who don't want to take the flu shots and forever getting colds and flu, very stubborn lady, just wn't listen to me.
Tamara
1 person likes this
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
21 Sep 10
Well, if she doesn't worry about getting sick then I won't worry for her!!! My respiratory problems have pretty much disappeared since taking the Flu Shots!!!
@ANIME123 (2466)
• United States
22 Sep 10
The flu shot is good because like that you won't get sick, but I actually never get it very year I never get it, but I think that I should start because I am already sick and I don't like being sick because than you get fevers, aches, sore throats and all the symptoms that come with the horrible flu. ALso when one has the flu there is nothing to do except mostly lay in bed which I hate so yeah being sick is the worst ever and one never feels happy when they are sick.
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
22 Sep 10
Since you don't like getting sick, why not take the shot???
@Professor2010 (20162)
• India
23 Sep 10
Hi Lady
To be honest none in my family, nor me ever took flu shot till today, we rarely suffer from cold, may be due to the herbal medicines, ginger-honey mix we take regularly, any way friend.
Thanks for sharing.
Welcome always, cheers.
Professor. .
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
23 Sep 10
One thing is NOT perfect for ALL...that's for sure!!! If ginger & honey works for you, I'd stick with it!!! I did notice that you used the words until today. I am curious as to why you chose to take the shot this year??? 
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
21 Sep 10
That's your option. All it will take is one heart attack & you really won't need to worry about it!!!
@Wordjunkie (435)
• Canada
21 Sep 10
I, my husband and my children get the flu shot every year. My husband is a cancer patient and we get the flu shot to help give him some extra protection. However, since we have been receiving the flu shots we do not usually get sick, on the rare occasion that one of my children have caught some virus at school, they do not get that sick, only lasts about a day and its back to school. The overall health of my children have improved greatly. I will continue to get the flu shots every year they are definitely worth it!!
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
21 Sep 10
I feel about the same!!! I originally started taking it to keep from getting the Flu & because my doc said it was important. Now I take it because I can count on one hand the number of times I've been sick in the last 20 years. That makes it worth it to me!!!!
