Did You Get Your Flu Shot?
By KrauseHome
@KrauseHome (36448)
United States
January 22, 2013 11:59am CST
Many people, especially here in the US are worried about this Flu epidemic that is going around. Is causing some people to be really sick for days, and longer. Some people end up in the hospital even. I know it is not something to really think about especially if you have been hit with even a mild form of it.
I was able to get a Flu shot about a week ago. Yesterday I had a really bad sore throat and headache and running a mild temperature. Today I have a really bad headache still. Did not go to work yesterday, and need to go today and see if I will last it out. It is not Fun when you do not feel well to try and go somewhere. I am still running a mild temperature, but cannot afford to miss another day if I can.
But they say it takes 10 days for the shot to kick in completely, so hopefully if I have a touch of this Flu going around it will not hit me as bad. We shall see how I am feeling in a couple of hrs if I try and make it too work. Either way, I am still glad I went and got a Flu shot.
~~TINA~~
9 people like this
28 responses
@poppoppop111 (5731)
• Canada
22 Jan 13
i used to get my flu shot every year but stopped about 4 years ago. i found i got more sick when i got the shot. so far this year i have not been sick at all.
2 people like this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
26 Jan 13
Let's hope for you, this remains like this, as this Flu especially here in the US this yr. is not fun. I think too many times people do not heed the warnings of stay home when you are sick to not infect others. Especially where I work. But it is interesting that I did get sick and run a fever with getting one.
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
22 Jan 13
I did not get the flu shot. The last two years when I got it, well got the flu. It was mild, but it was the flu, so this time decided not to have it and so far am quite well. I also heard that there are complications - do not intend to increase my risk of dementia even though it is not in my family - I also heard there is mercury in it, and that decreases your brain power, so going not to get it.
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
1 Feb 13
Interesting thoughts here, and for the most part besides the headache I was OK. I just think sometimes this is just a slight reaction to the shot itself with people getting sick, as they say a lot of people do. But for me I felt it was worth the risk due to my other Health problems already.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
5 Feb 13
That is so true. You never know if the vaccine would work for you or not. And is it last yrs? I have had no problems with remembering anything. Just problems a couple of days later with the headaches. But so far now doing a lot better which is good.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
2 Feb 13
It all depends on what your medical condition is and if the side effects of the flu shot are what is normally happening in your family history. So if there is no evidence of Altezeimers in my family and after a member of my family gets it and suddenly has a lot of forgetfulness, I would not take the flu shot.
So I think that you have to see if your medical health would improve or get worse even a little while. If suddenly things go wrong, then it would be best to make sure that you take healthy precautions to avoid getting the flu.
And we do not know if the flu the vaccine is for is last year's flu or the present one.
1 person likes this
@youless (112496)
• Guangzhou, China
23 Jan 13
I don't want to have the flu shot. Since the flu type will change every year and therefore it can make sure you will not be infected by the flu virus. And this is why I am not concerned about it. Besides, I don't think the flu is a terrible disease. Usually you will get well in a week.
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
9 Feb 13
Well, I have seen people get the Flu who got a shot, and seen people who did, who did not. Depends on their health to begin with in how each person reacts. I know one who it took over a week for them to feel the best without getting one, and Glad I did since it is someone I work with just to be safe. Even with the headaches I had for 2 2 weeks, I am still glad I got one.
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
11 Feb 13
Well yes, when you are traveling or working somewhere else, this is quite important no matter how healthy you are, just to be protected as you never know.
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
14 Feb 13
Well around here hey will not do it until they are at least 6 months old I think. But they are making sure the kids and the elderly are getting these shots, as well as people like me who have other health issues as well.
@kprofgames (3091)
• United States
14 Feb 13
Sorry you're not feeling well. Hope it passes soon.
We did get the first round of influenza in our household. It was not fun and wish had gotten the plate number to the truck that ran me over.
Since, we have not gotten the flu shot because was told that it only is a chance at one strain of flu over the many what was actually going around. This came from my doctor to be honest.
My daughter did get the shot plus was on tamiflu (expensive that!) because we wanted no chance of her getting it before she had oral surgery.
Some people think the flu shot is over rated, but I tend to agree when it's said that very young children and people over the age of 50 should get them yearly. We have had 2 reported deaths in my state from influenza and it really isn't something to mess around with. Kind of scary this type of flu.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
16 Feb 13
Well, I have heard it is important for children especially younger ones, as well as the elderly to keep them from getting really sick. I know they also recommend people with serious health issues to consider it as well. Since I am diabetic, and have other health problems, I felt this quite important for me.
@Happielady85 (384)
• United States
15 Feb 13
I'm sorry to hear that you got so sick. I haven't had the flu shot in years. the reason for it is because when I got my flu shot, the next day I came down with the flu. I was so sick, I had to go to the hospital. I hate getting the flu because I end up with a cough that lasts for weeks. Since i got so sick from the flu shot, I have not had a flu shot in years.
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
16 Feb 13
Yes, I feel this does need to be a personal choice. I have seen people who did not get one get really sick so for me the headache for a couple of days was not too bad. Main reason I did it was due to being diabetic and having other health problems, plus it being an epidemic otherwise, I would have probably passed.
@stealthy (8181)
• United States
22 Jan 13
I got a Flu shot several months ago long before it became apparent just how bad the Flu is this season. It was only the second time in my life that I have ever gotten one since I tend to be resistant to such things as colds and the Flu. But since it was free at CVS with Medicare Part B and there is a CVS very close to me, I decided that since I am getting older, I should get one.
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
6 Feb 13
Yes, it is a personal choice, but when offered to someone for Free, it is a wise choice to take it. Especially if you have a lot of Health problems or getting older. Personally even with the side effects of the headache like I got, I personally am still glad I got one.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
25 Jan 13
Knock on wood, I've never had the flu and I've never had a flu shot either.
I know that there are a lot of people that swear by their annual flu shots, but I am not one of those people because I know that part of determining which type of flu shot to give every year is something that is prediction based, so there is no guarantee that you will really be protected from the flu.
With that said, I've been dealing with some illness this year, but the illnesses that I've had are not flu type illnesses.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
14 Feb 13
Well, personally I think this should be a personal choice depending on where you work, age and health status. This was actually one of the first yrs I decided to get one.
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
23 Jan 13
I make sure that every member of my family gets a flu shot every year. there always seems to be a new and stronger strain of th flu that comes to light each ear. I know that getting a flu shot does npt stop the fl from enterg your life but it does make getting the flu les of a chore. Whatever can be done to hamper the flu symptoms is worth taking.1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
11 Feb 13
Yes, with all my other health issues, this is why I felt it quite important to do. I know it will not protect me from every kind of flu out there, but has kept me from being sicker than I have.
@randylovesdar (4932)
• United States
23 Jan 13
Randy got his shot in September. I did not get the shot and now I regret it because yesterday I got hit with the flu. I am starting to feel a little bit better now, but I am still taking it easy. I hope it does not hit you as badly. I still feel a little weak and my back is a little sore, but it could be because I was in bed all day long yesterday.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
9 Feb 13
Well, there are people who were hit with it where I work that got the Flu, and then there are some who did that did not. I think it personally was best for me to get it, and even with the headache I had for 2 days, I am still glad I did.
@Professor2010 (20162)
• India
27 Jan 13
TINA
Thanks for this nice discussion.
We dont have that problem here. But we too take the shot during epidemics lol.
We dont have that problem here. But we too take the shot during epidemics lol.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
14 Feb 13
Well, it was the first yr in a long time I have ever chosen to get one. Probably a good thing I did.
@mariaperalta (19073)
• Mexico
26 Jan 13
I did, last week here in Mexico. I took a friend whos 85 to get hers. So I figured might as well ge tone for me..
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
14 Feb 13
Yes, I think it is always a personal choice depending on age, health, where you work, etc. But most of the time it is better to protect than be sorry later.
@Hopefull90 (921)
• United States
7 Feb 13
I find that I get symptoms of the flu when I get a shot and since I don't get flu really bad I decided not to get one this year until I found I was going to get to go on a real nice trip. I went to get a shot but for some reason the pharmacist couldn't get my insurance to come up so I left. Then I found it wouldn't take effect for two weeks and by that time I would be back so I didn't get one. So far I haven't gotten it but while I was on the plane I took airborne and anything else I could think of that would help me not get a cold or flu. I even took mask. When a lady started coughing beside me I offered her my cough drops and turned the air vent away from me so the germs would possibly go elsewhere.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
16 Feb 13
Yes, I did get the headache and such after getting the shot, but knowing what a couple of others went thru that actually got the flu, so it made it better for me that I got one. Just hope you have continued to still be well.
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
6 Feb 13
It is interesting how often people get sick and then those who do not. Even though I had the Bad headache and felt horrible for 2 days, anytime there is a really Bad flu going around I am going to go get a shot. Since I have a lot of Health issues myself and work out in the public I feel it is necessary for me to continue to do so. I have seen people at work who did not who got really sick, and that is one reason I am glad I do.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
22 Jan 13
I did not get a shot. The last time I did I was sick all winter. I also don't get the flu....or haven't for years. Once in 41 years....I had the Hong Kong flu over 40 years ago. And I don't know if that had something to do with me not getting it anymore. I was terribly sick....had to crawl to the bathroom from the bedroom....but since then I really haven't gotten sick again. Strange isn't it?
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
5 Feb 13
It is interesting, that so many people that tend to get a flu shot end up getting some form of the flu, or side effects of some sort. Just goes to show it is not the best for everyone out there. But most I know who got the Shot even if they get sick get over it quicker so due to being diabetic I felt it best this yr to get one.
@kingparker (9673)
• United States
22 Jan 13
There was this flu outbreak a few months ago, many people indeed got sick, and I was not exception too. Now, I am feeling better. As matter of fact, my work place provide free flu shot every year, but I didn't take it this year, a bit regret, but I might take the opportunity to get a flu shot next year. There was flu shot available at CVS and Walgreen, so take advantage of it if anyone doesn't feel well at the moment. I hope everyone will be healthy here.
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
6 Feb 13
Well, as I expressed here, I got the shot and then got a bad headache and Flu like symptoms later. But it was probably due to getting the shot, and nothing else. I still think I did a good thing with getting one since I am out in the public so much.
@ShyBear88 (59347)
• Sterling, Virginia
22 Jan 13
Weather a person gets the flu shot or not you can still get the flu and the reason why there is an increase in the flu is that it's different. The flu changes from person to person from season to season. So it's never the same at all.
I've had the flu shot, my daughter had the flu shot and so had my husband. My son he isn't old enough for a flu shot yet because he isn't 6 months yet. But my husband has end up having the flu, my daughter end up have the croup and my son well he has RSV. Me I'm the only so far not sick in my house at all.
My mom got the flu shot and she got the flu earlier this winter. It all just depends on your body.
My husband was sick all week and I was stuck taking care of the kids by myself and one day I was stuck at the hospital with my son for his RSV.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
5 Feb 13
Yes, like others have said here, there are a lot of different strains of the flu there and how it will hit each person if you get it. The thing is especially when you are older or have a lot of health problems is that they say you are best off when you do. So that is why I chose to and for the most part was way better off. So I think personally it should always continue to be a personal choice for sure.
@thepooloflust (163)
• United States
22 Jan 13
Yes, in August. I get it every year. I think it's silly that a lot of people don't get their flu shot because they're afraid of needles or something. One little sting is better than getting ill and possibly dying.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
1 Feb 13
Well, I have heard that the shot is only 60% effective and may not cover all the strains that might come along later. Wondering if your shot you got in August is still effective for the strain now? I know it is often a lot better to get the shot especially if you are older, or have Health problems then dealing with it if you do ever get it.
@Raine38 (12250)
• United States
22 Jan 13
I got my flu shot last month before I flew here. It's required, plus also as a prevention since this will be my first winter. I did have feel sick for a couple of days but now I am so glad that I have taken it. A couple of weeks ago I felt pain in my throat and my nose is runny. Good thing we are always stocked with fruit juices and airborne. I took a couple, rested and until now I am still feeling very well.
It really is so much trouble to get sick. Prevention shall always be better than cure.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
1 Feb 13
Yes, I think getting the Flu shot when I did was very needed. I did feel sick there for a day or two with really Bad headache, etc. but everyone said it could be expected. As sick as I have seen others get, getting the shot was a Good thing. But I have seen a lot of sickness at work, and wish those who were sick could stay home at least at first for sure.
@willc98 (67)
• United States
22 Jan 13
I'm never getting one. I haven't had the flu in many years either. I just don't trust what they are injecting into my body. Can't you get the flu from a flu shot? A bigger issue is vaccinations they give to babies. Studies show they can be harmful. I have Aspergers and my doctor said it could be from shots as a child. Just wash your hands whenever you are in public places.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
5 Feb 13
Interesting thoughts here, as anymore, you never know how safe you really are from something. Look at all the meds they give people that end up causing a lot of serious problems. Many end up getting recalled as well and it is quite frustrating for sure. Makes you winder what you really are going to be safe from.
