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I think we've had a thread on this before, but it's that time again. What do you think about flu shots? I formerly got one almost every year until I came across info that some of the stuff that put in them may not be that great to inject in your body year after year. (Now if I were 65+ I'd probably still get one anyway...)
This year my physician kinda threw a "guilt" wrinkle into the equation!! He said that it was better for the population overall, especially the elderly population if EVERYONE would get a flu shot...so as to not expose people who might be more sensitive to having a severe reaction of dying from the flu.
So what do you think? Can flu vaccines really be possibly harmful? (By harmful, I don't mean just temporary side effects, but like cancer-causing or such? Or is that just anti-vaccine hype? Do you take one? Why or why not?
I never liked the idea of them in general and I was always pretty healthy. Then about 6 years ago, I got the flu and it was the sickest I have ever been in my life. I was misersable! So, the next year I went ahead and got one and have done so ever since. No side effects and so far no flu! I hope they don't find out that there are long term effects because this really does help me.
As a healthcare provider I get the flu shot every year as much to protect patients as myself.
True "influenza" is a nasty disease with high mortality rate among the elderly and also among children, particularly those 5 and under.
I think one problem with getting more folks to get the flu vaccine is a misconception regarding what influenza is versus "flu like" illnesses which may not seem so bad....
The first time I got a flu shot was while I was pregnant. The doctors basically force them on you and then the pediatricians always advise you to get them, because they don't want anyone in your family to get it. Well, I've gone along with it, but I'm thinking this year will be the last time the kids get the shots. I won't get them anymore and my husband has outright refused thus far.
I had the flu a couple times as a child, but haven't had it since I was of a single digit age. I believe some of those instances weren't really even the flu, as I've since been told that vomiting isn't part of the flu. It's a stomach virus or something along those lines.
More recently, I've been told that getting lots of sunlight or vitamin D can help prevent the flu. It was something I read somewhere. I don't recall the source. It was just something I meant to look up during my free time. I had completely forgotten about it until I saw your post.
I don't get one, never have. They manufacture them before they know what strain of flu will be prevalent that year, so it's a crapshoot anyway since they don't protect you versus all the flu viruses. Unless you're in a compromised group that actually NEEDS them it's a waste of money in my opinion.
The first time I got a flu shot was while I was pregnant. The doctors basically force them on you and then the pediatricians always advise you to get them, because they don't want anyone in your family to get it. Well, I've gone along with it, but I'm thinking this year will be the last time the kids get the shots. I won't get them anymore and my husband has outright refused thus far.
I had the flu a couple times as a child, but haven't had it since I was of a single digit age. I believe some of those instances weren't really even the flu, as I've since been told that vomiting isn't part of the flu. It's a stomach virus or something along those lines.
More recently, I've been told that getting lots of sunlight or vitamin D can help prevent the flu. It was something I read somewhere. I don't recall the source. It was just something I meant to look up during my free time. I had completely forgotten about it until I saw your post.
You probably didn't have the flu.....you would remember it if you did.
Again, there is generalized mis use of the term "flu" to describe any viral illness, particularly mild ones. Influenza, which is what the flu shot is designed to help prevent, is a particularly nasty illness that WILL leave you down for the count.
Make your own decision, but do some more research about the flu before deciding not to immunize your children. If you have young kids look at the mortality statistics....influenza is not to be taken lightly.
Vitamin D and sunlight will not protect you from a virus....
I got the flu the year they ran out of the vaccine (the shot). Even though we were health care providers, they didn't have any left for us.
OMG. It was awful. I thought my head was going to explode and I couldn't stand up b/c I'd just pass out. Sprained myself coughing, too. And I'm young, healthy, and almost never get sick.
It's bad news.
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