I got the flu shots until I reacted, and I haven't gotten them since. The last time (and only time I have had the flu), it was brought home to the family by my wife who had gotten the flu shot since she has asthma. It was caught early , and the same doctor who gave her the shot prescribed Tamiflu, which made everything much milder. It was actually an almost pleasant experience as I stayed home from work and our two sons who were still at home, my wife and I all loafed on the hide-a-bed in the den and watched the entire Band of Brothers series. I have had no flu at all now that none of us get the vaccine.
When I caught the flu a few years ago, I caught it from my wife, because she got it first, but we had been in church up north, and at the pastor's house, where a couple of their kids had been sick. We are not nearly as social as we once were, my wife more so than I am. Mostly, when I get out, it is to the grocery store or somewhere, so we don't hang out with a lot of people.
Well, I got my flu shot today... No reaction at all.. No cost as it is covered by our health care system....
My wife, in the throes of indecisiveness over her up and coming cataract surgery, stated we will get our flu shots soon......but did not commit. She is scheduled for a pre-operation check-up and meeting Thursday. Evidently, her eyesight has eroded in recent months, and I've been unable to detect it based on her ability to remain "back-seat driver" in charge: no trouble seeing the signs. Frank
Frank..... Please wish your wife all the best for her upcoming eye surgery.. Be assured that today, a cataract surgery is like a walk in the park.. They have it down to simple procedure..... Not like 30 years ago....
@Steve North Thank you, I will mention that to her. I did a search on the surgery, and quite frankly was rather upset by the negative aspects........ Frank
Frank... You will always find someone complaining about something when it comes to the medical profession.. some even complain about going to the dentist for a filling...…. C'mon.. Today the medical procedures are completely different from years ago... I had two hips and two shoulders replaced and there is absolutely no problem or complaints.. A cataract surgery is day surgery.. you go home after it is over.. Please assure her she will be 100% OK...
This will be my 67th flu season. During that time, I have had the flu three times, once as a child, a second time right after getting the only flu shot I have ever had, and another time a few years ago. I think my chances are pretty good, and better without the vaccination. After all, in 66 years of not getting a flu shot, I got the flu twice, while in the only year that I got a flu shot, I ended up with the flu.
Well like I said I'm getting it this year. I never get the side effects from shots and I can only remember getting the flu once it twice as a child. But I'm not going to risk getting the flu now, especially if it's a bad strain....I can't afford an illness now...not talking financially just physically. Thankfully my appetite has returned and I'm eating all day...trying to gain a few lbs....haven't weighed myself here but will when I get home.
Also...you can thank the people that get vaccinated for not getting the flu...less chance of catching it. Plus....we are all at the age where it can hit us harder or even be fatal. If I was younger I probably wouldn't get the shot either...
People who receive the flu shot can pass the flu on to others, depending on which type of the vaccine they receive, live attenuated or killed. Those who are vaccinated through a spray are usually receiving the live attenuated vaccine, and may be contagious, while those who get the shot are receiving the killed vaccine, and will not be contagious.
We will continue to get flu shots, as this could be deadly for me at this stage. Was on the news here that when you have a bad reaction to the shot, oftentimes it was not given to you properly.I have only had a bad reaction once- and that is when I had pneumonia and flu shot at same time. I was told later that should not have been given at the same time. Well it was a tad late by then. Our ages alone, can make getting the flu or pneumonia even worse. I will be ordering grocery more again this year, and picking up or have delivered. However after being out in stores, I wash my hands first thing when i come home. Like to think this has helped me stay well better. I do know two years ago today we both came down sick at same time-do not think was the flu though. For us- the one thing that helps big time, with chronic cough and etc. - skip the OTC crap- go to doctor-ask for The Cocktail shot! A paramedic we knew told us about this years ago, and it works faster and better. About $ 200, most insurance pays for it or most. Worth every penny. Unfortunately, this may be one of those- long hard winter times
@Steve North Today we experienced the pre-surgery consultation. My wife asked me to accompany her in to the meeting, whatever it was to be. First call, was a young woman who talked a lot, but I sat uncomprehending, hard to hear, and she talked too fast. She administered drops (again, like last time in Sept.) to dilate pupils. Then, we sat & waited in the reception area. Next, another young woman (neither doctors, clearly), had her read a projected series of letters projected on a screen. Then a DOCTOR came flying in, shook my hand as I sat there, then launched a series of statements I again could not hear. he then proceeded to look into her eyes using some sort of pedestal-mounted instrument, talked about (briefly), anesthesia, some things affecting her outcome: she has astigmatism as well as a "lazy eye syndrome" which causes one eye to roll up in it's socket when not used visually. He said because of that, she will not be able to see glasses-free. She suspected that. Another young woman then summoned us from the waiting room, to explain (I think) that the surgery and the present prescribing facility were not the same company. Last visit in Sept., Dr. told her he preferred both eyes be operated on no longer than a week apart. Current lady was scheduling a month apart, claimed it was the best the dr could do. Bottom line: Nov. 15 first eye, Nov 29, second. Cataract surgery. Told "local anesthesia", my wife is freaking out about needles depressed into her eyes.......she still is blurry now from the dilation.......9 hours later. There, it stands, for now. Frank