Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA I'm 46 years old, I've never had a flu shot before. I'm in good health, have no compromising diseases or health issues. Now all this talk about H1N1 and a horrifying epidemic this season has me thinking. So, I'm asking you -- Do I need a flu shot? why? or why not?
Originally Posted By trekkeruss I never used to get 'em, but now my mom makes me. I suppose it's better to be safe than sorry, even if there's some risk to getting the shot itself.
Originally Posted By TomSawyer I've been taking part in some of the local county emergency management planning as part of my job, and I've never seen the medical folks as worried about a disease as they are about this one. That said, you are probably in a low risk for mortality from this. Your kid should get a shot though.
Originally Posted By officerminnie Jim, I've got you by 6 years and I too have never had a flu shot. And I never get the flu either. However, because this flu seems to have health care professionals pretty worried and because I deal directly with over 75 transient sex offenders every week (to include handling and writing on their registration paperwork), I am seriously considering the vaccine this year. Hand sanitizer can only do so much...
Originally Posted By seafairy1622 I got a flu shot 3 years ago and got the flu 6 times that year. I won't be getting another one.
Originally Posted By ecdc Remember, swine flu is no more deadly or dangerous than any other flu strain. It's just...the flu. The problem is the elderly or children or other high risk groups. You could potentially argue that healthy people getting flu shots are keeping them from people who need them the most. But I don't know how true that is in practice. Both my kids will be getting the shot. I will not.
Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA My daughter is 15 years old. Doesn't get sick very often. What about her? <Remember, swine flu is no more deadly or dangerous than any other flu strain. It's just...the flu.> Why does it seem like everyone is making such a big deal out of it then?
Originally Posted By ecdc Good question. It may be more contagious than other strains. But it really is not this deadly killer. All flu outbreaks kill people - a sad but true fact. And it's usually the elderly or the very young. Maybe swine flu is this year's media shark attack.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros There's been some swine flu going around near me recently, and everybody I know is fine. A couple of them got sick and had to stay at home for several days, but they're just as good as they were before now. I would guess that if you take normal precautions (like washing your hands on a semi-regular basis, and covering your mouth when you cough/sneeze) you and the people around you should be fine.
Originally Posted By MMfriend The seasonal flu shot will NOT cover the H1N1 pandemic/swine flu. They are developing a separate flu vaccine for this one and it's not approved yet. We will have the regular Flu A and B as well as the pandemic flu cirulating this flu season. Re the seasonal flu: Vaccination recommended for high risk indivuals (i.e. at high risk of death, hospitalization or severe disease) for all children 6 months to 18 years, elderly, and certain diseases like immune problems, asthma, diabetes, etc. Pregnancy is also a risk factor. For the pandemic flu: Flu vaccine, when available will likely be given according to risk: Healthcare providers, pregnant women, children (6mo to 18 years) and people with high risk illnesses. The elderly are not getting sick with the pandemic flu. This is thought to be due to some immunity from another swine flu that circulated in the 1950's or something like that.
Originally Posted By MMfriend The CDC recommends seasonal flu vaccination for people over 50 years or with certain health problems. Sounds like you do not need one unless you would like to prevent the seasonal flu. Regarding the pandemic/swine flu, no vaccine available right now, but you will probably not be at high risk either. This is unless you live with or care for someone at high risk (health condition or child less than 6 month) or are a day care provider or work in health care.
Originally Posted By Sara Tonin I also heard that the vaccine for H1N1 will actually be a series of 3 shots 2wks apart. Getting people to get a flue shot is difficult enough with out it is being a series. I get a flu shot every year, I fall in at least 3 categories...over 50 (and could someone please tell AARP and Hoveround to leave me alone), I'm diabetic, and I work in a healthcare facility.
Originally Posted By Sara Tonin flu shot...not flue shot And another point is that the H1N1 would be in addition to your regular yearly vaccine.
Originally Posted By iamsally I have never had a flu shot and never will. My reasons are numerous. But I made the decision when a science teacher told me she did not see any reason to get one. What I am trying to figure out is how they are telling pregnant women (who are told not to have so much as a glass of champagne at a wedding; to get an untested vaccine!!??!!
Originally Posted By Faline Posts 10 through 13 are spot on. There will be the first "normal" flu shot, should you choose to accept it. We were told at our workplace the H1N1 would be a series of two shots. Either way: it will be more than one shots. And the CDC spake, saying, "First shalt thou take the first normal flu shot. Then shalt the H1N1 shot take three, no two, no three total. Three shall be the number thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shall be three. Or two. Four shalt thou not count, neither count thou two, excepting that thou then proceed to three. Five is right out. Once the number three, being the third number, be reached, then lobbest thy arms to the Holy Innoculator of Antioch, thy foe, who, being naughty in my sight, shall innoculate you.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros And what will be left behind from the shot? Is it safe to assume that it will be just a flesh wound?
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder I'm 51, I deal with the public all the time, many times the unwashed public, I have asthma and chronic sinusitis. Matter of fact, I'm laid up right now with a bad sinus infection and bronchitis. I literally sound like Barry White right now. Barry White when he was alive. I get the flushot every year. I'll get the swine flu shots too if they let me. I've never understood why people are averse to getting flu shots.
Originally Posted By SleepingBeauty82 I can't tell you if it's right for you or now but I know this: In 2007 I didn't get a flu shot. I got the flu in the beginning of December, then a stomach virus on Christmas night, then a horrible flu/head cold thing a couple weeks later. I was sick for two months straight. In 2008 I got a flu shot and I wasn't tossing my cookies or blowing my nose for two months straight. Made me a believer!
Originally Posted By wonderingalice I've gotten a regular flu shot over the past few years and can't even remember the last time I had a cold, let alone the flu. I'll be getting one again this year. I'm 51, so apparently still young enough to fall in the "needs the swine flu shot" category, but I doubt I'll get it. I'm seldom around kids (except when we hit Disneyland in December) and won't even be in the workforce after the end of September. Lived through the swine flu scare of the '60s (or was it the '70s) and never knew anyone who caught it.
