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In the fall I had both kinds of flu shots but this past week I certainly have been having flu like symptoms. I thought it was just a bad cold but I have had body aches, fever and chills so bad I dressed like a mummy wrapped in a blanket with the thermostat at 70 and I still was cold to the bone. All this lasted about 5 days. I feel somewhat better today but had belly problems last night and this morning while I haven't eaten anything unusual.
Unfortunately, you can. The flu shot protects you from the most prevalent strain(s) of flu in the current year. There are many influenza virus subtypes, and you may have been infected with one of those.
Of course you can... the flu shot is not anywhere near 100% effective, and only covers the strains that were included in the shot. There are also lots and lots of "flu like illnesses" that are not influenza that you are still susceptible to.
Not to mention that the flu strains change as they move from person to person. That's why it's important to still wash your hands often even after getting the flu shots.
You could have something other than the flu. It could have been a cold that has becomea sinus infection or bronchitis.
You should see a doctor. Flu's don't start like the common cold but start suddenly. Sounds to me like you had a cold that turned into a bacteria infection.
thanks all, I'm feeling better now but I swear I had such bad chills I thought my teeth would chatter right out of my head. so maybe I did have a kind of flu but it was short lived.
Unfortunately, one can still "get the flu" despite having been vaccinated. Individuals vary in their ability to produce antibodies to vaccines, so vaccines are not 100/% effective for 100% of the population. The flu is also very adept at mutating quite quickly.
And, as was mentioned by others, many other viruses can mimic influenza.
On the upside, if you are vaccinated and still succumb to influenza, it is likely to be less severe than had you not been vaccinated.
Yes...one of the many reasons I see the flu shot as a waste of time. (I don't have kids to worry about infecting or smearing their paws all over myself stuff with school germs)
As others have pointed out, the flu shots only protect against the most likely viruses, and others are out there as well. And flu shots don't come with any guarantee. To expect 100% protection is unrealistic.
But given the alternative, to be vulnerable to all the various forms of the virus out there on phones, railings, shopping cart handles, and the like, it is better to do what you can to minimize the likelihood of playing host to one of the nasty bugs.
I have taken the flu shot every year for at least a dozen years, and although I have had a cold most years, I have not had the flu. Knock on wood.
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