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I don't get flu shots. *IF* I do get a cold (sometimes) I up my immune system support a bit, and I use Zicam, etc, at any sign of sniffles.
I used to work at UCDavis, School of Medicine - (and of course they stressed the flu shot each year). So, I asked a professor (of infectious disease) her opinion (knowledge) of whether those peeps vaccinated might still be 'CARRIERS' of FLU BUGS. She thought so -- and I think she said I might also ask immunology.
I just thought - here you are working at a medical facility (but I worked in admin) - where everyone thinks all medical staff have had the flu shot (and are "SAFE") but if you can still be a carrier, then, unless you are decontaminating between each and every patient and visitor you meet and greet, etc, you might still be 'hosting' the bug around!!
The influenza vaccine only protects against the strains in the vaccine, so certainly you can get a strain that is not in the vaccine.
Many people are infected with influenza and have no symptoms from it. People with no symptoms may have a lower viral load. Certainly if they are not coughing and sneezing they are probably not going to spread as much virus as someone who leaves a trail of dirty tissues wherever he goes.
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I haven't' in recent years. I kept getting sick. Now I avoid crowds and coughing people and I just keep Tamiflu handy and pop it like mad if I get a scratchy throat.
I would recommend that you keep some electrolyte drinks handy, especially if you're not getting the flu shot and if you live alone. It's very easy to dehydrate when you have the flu and are in bed aching all over and don't want to move because it hurts too much. I've been through it. Now I get the flu shot every year.
The Flu vaccine affected me quite badly a few years ago.. with pain all down my left side of my chest, it started the day I got the injection and lasted for a few weeks.. so Ill never have it again..
Not everyone who is vaccinated will get immunity. On the other hand, eating nutritional supplements will not strengthen your immune system and prevent you from being infected if you are exposed.
Unless you have a medical contraindication, like the OP, the best thing to do is to get vaccinated.
I've never had the flu shot. I don't get sick a lot (I think I had the flu maybe 10 times in my life). I wash my hands a lot, use the gel when I can't wash my hands, take an OTC cold-blocker med if i even feel something coming on. I eat well, drink a lot of water, and exercise a lot. I believe that these actions, combined with apparently a fair immune system, help me stay healthy.
If i see that I get the flu a lot in the coming years, i will probably rethink. I know people who do get the shot and have bad reactions or they end up getting a different flu (one that the shot doesn't protect against)
I'm 78, had asian flu at 18 and maybe a mild flu over the years. No vaccines for at least 30 yrs and lots of Vit C and OPC's and for me no colds/flu/no vaccines.
I'm 78, had asian flu at 18 and maybe a mild flu over the years. No vaccines for at least 30 yrs and lots of Vit C and OPC's and for me no colds/flu/no vaccines.
You also, admittedly, don't leave the house a lot.
So not getting a flu shot kinda makes sense for you.
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I've never had the flu shot. I don't get sick a lot (I think I had the flu maybe 10 times in my life). I wash my hands a lot, use the gel when I can't wash my hands, take an OTC cold-blocker med if i even feel something coming on. I eat well, drink a lot of water, and exercise a lot. I believe that these actions, combined with apparently a fair immune system, help me stay healthy.
If i see that I get the flu a lot in the coming years, i will probably rethink. I know people who do get the shot and have bad reactions or they end up getting a different flu (one that the shot doesn't protect against)
Had influenza 10 times!???!!! That's A LOT.
I think this demonstrates the problem, I'm guessing, you don't really know what the flu is, or you would never risk getting it 10 times. I'm not insulting you, I find a lot of people call a bunch of things the flu that are not.
I've had it maybe 3 times in my life (50 here) and that motivates me sufficiently to get a shot every year.
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