The Flu

[Summer2018]

The flu shot only protects from very specific strains of influenza.

And, I will not get those specific strains. Isn't that awesome?

 

[RamblingMad]

And, I will not get those specific strains. Isn't that awesome?

Better than nothing.

The science still supports getting the shot. Most insurance covers it. You can pay a whole $20 for it at Costco. Unless you have a medical condition that prevents you from getting it, I don’t see the downside other than a sore arm for a couple of days.

 

[Christine]

And, I will not get those specific strains. Isn't that awesome?

But, see, that's not really true. You can get the exact strain of flu that you were immunized against. The *hope* is that it will be less severe since your body has already mounted one defense against it.

I'm not arguing against a flu shot, but I am just trying to clear up that it's efficacy is moderate, at best. Again, not being critical of it but I think the 17 of your 18 students have not gotten the flu for a myriad of reasons. Unfortunately, the vaccine isn't as effective as what you are seeing in your classroom.

 

[Searc]

And, I will not get those specific strains. Isn't that awesome?

Um, yes you can. LOL Getting a flu shot doesn't protect you from getting the flu. All it does is hopefully lessens the severity, if you are lucky enough to get the strain contained in that years shot.

 

[Summer2018]

Um, yes you can. LOL Getting a flu shot doesn't protect you from getting the flu. All it does is hopefully lessens the severity, if you are lucky enough to get the strain contained in that years shot.

Well, I follow my doctors' orders.

As an asthmatic who would not do well with the flu, perhaps even become hospitalized like I was when I had pneumonia, my allergy & asthma specialist requires me to get the shot. Considering that this man went to school for a very long time, and has knowledge well beyond mine, I will listen to his recommendations over those opinions of people who are not indeed, doctors.

It is really very simple.

 

[DLgal]

People who are against the flu shot be like:

"If I can't bring my chance of catching the flu down to 0% with a flu shot, then I would rather significantly increase my chance of catching the flu and becoming deathly ill."

 

[C&Jx2]

Well, I follow my doctors' orders.

As an asthmatic who would not do well with the flu, perhaps even become hospitalized like I was when I had pneumonia, my allergy & asthma specialist requires me to get the shot. Considering that this man went to school for a very long time, and has knowledge well beyond mine, I will listen to his recommendations over those opinions of people who are not indeed, doctors.

It is really very simple.

You should definitely follow your provider’s advice.

But I doubt he told you that you wont get those strains in the immunization.

Unlikely? Yes.
Is is a good safeguard? Yes.
But not 100%.

 

[RamblingMad]

You should definitely follow your provider’s advice.

But I doubt he told you that you wont get those strains in the immunization.

Unlikely? Yes.
Is is a good safeguard? Yes.
But not 100%.

If I apply this logic to sex, everyone should have unprotected sex because you’re not 100% certain to get pregnant or get a STD.

 

[C&Jx2]

If I apply this logic to sex, everyone should have unprotected sex because you’re not 100% certain to get pregnant or get a STD.

I’m actually saying the opposite? Maybe it’s not clear...

 

[Lehuaann]

Well, I follow my doctors' orders.

As an asthmatic who would not do well with the flu, perhaps even become hospitalized like I was when I had pneumonia, my allergy & asthma specialist requires me to get the shot. Considering that this man went to school for a very long time, and has knowledge well beyond mine, I will listen to his recommendations over those opinions of people who are not indeed, doctors.

It is really very simple.

You should always listen to your physician/pulmonologist/allergist, especially when it comes to asthma.

DD is severely asthmatic and has gotten the flu with and without the shot. With the shot, the symptoms were still strong, but she recovered faster on tamiflu.

I know some asthmatics on here have stated they will not get the shot due to exacerbation, but I say always follow your physician’s recommendation, especially a physician who specializes in asthma/pulmonary care. And always, always have them monitor!

Last year DD was in the ER for asthma believed to be exacerbated by the shot. So, before receiving it this year, she had a lung function test done. And failed. So her physician made her wait.

Anyway, we never get the shot believing we are anywhere close to being fully protected. Viruses are so powerful

 

[Summer2018]

You should always listen to your physician/pulmonologist/allergist, especially when it comes to asthma.

DD is severely asthmatic and has gotten the flu with and without the shot. With the shot, the symptoms were still strong, but she recovered faster on tamiflu.

I know some asthmatics on here have stated they will not get the shot due to exacerbation, but I say always follow your physician’s recommendation, especially a physician who specializes in asthma/pulmonary care. And always, always have them monitor!

Last year DD was in the ER for asthma believed to be exacerbated by the shot. So, before receiving it this year, she had a lung function test done. And failed. So her physician made her wait.

Anyway, we never get the shot believing we are anywhere close to being fully protected. Viruses are so powerful

Agreed.

 

[underdesea]

There are always going to be people who are anti-vaccine. Some of them want to paint people who are pro-vaccine as ill-informed or naive. I had the flu in my early 20s. I've never been that sick. I was living by myself and literally thought I might be dying and if I was, no one would find me until I didn't show up for work for too long, and that might be too late. I've gotten the flu shot every year since then. If I can lessen the chance of going through that again by whatever percentage, I'm all in. Sometimes I think some people who don't get vaccinated want to see those of us who do get sick anyway to prove their point. I don't take any satisfaction if someone who isn't vaccinated gets the flu. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

 

[Searc]

There are always going to be people who are anti-vaccine. Some of them want to paint people who are pro-vaccine as ill-informed or naive. I had the flu in my early 20s. I've never been that sick. I was living by myself and literally thought I might be dying and if I was, no one would find me until I didn't show up for work for too long, and that might be too late. I've gotten the flu shot every year since then. If I can lessen the chance of going through that again by whatever percentage, I'm all in. Sometimes I think some people who don't get vaccinated want to see those of us who do get sick anyway to prove their point. I don't take any satisfaction if someone who isn't vaccinated gets the flu. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

I'm not anti-vaccine. My children and I are fully vaccinated.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Immunity is very complex, and unique to each individual. There is evidence that immunity can be both long, and short term, depending on a variety of factors and a variety of viruses. But there seems to be some consensus that our bodies hold onto antibodies of many the exposures we've ever had to flu (as evidenced via studies with people having lifelong immunity to the Spanish flu of 1918, and more), whether through an actual infection OR the flu shots we've had (which contain inactivated viruses). And further, that even if there isn't "exact" immunity to a certain virus, our bodies may harbor "some" antibodies that WILL work on part of flu viruses we may pick up, of which there can be many, some being very similar to one another. This is why they feel that getting a flu shot helps lessen the severity of illness, because antibodies help fight parts of many flu viruses overall.

https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/10/28/does-the-flu-provide-better-immunity-than-a-flu-shot/
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190320110619.htm

 

[HeatherC]

Bottom line is that the flu shot saves lives. That is enough for me to get one. Nothing in life is guaranteed.