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The inhibiting factor in future shots is that each year the formula is recalculated based on what the CDC THINKS might be a variation in the strain of flu that might be more prevalent--since there can be several flu strains that develop and one more significant than others.
No one really knows WHAT might be in the vaccine to trigger a more severe reaction than the year before.
I know if I am allergic to something I am always allergic to it--peanuts, Codine, certain pollens--
but there is no real way to know if you MIGHT be allergic to what is in the new strain next year unti you take it...
and I don't mean general factors like "eggs"
I am not allergic to any medications--nor eggs--
but I had a very unwelcome reaction to this year's senior dose vaccine.
I just wonder how many other people did who have never had a reaction--
and I bet those numbers are not in any news story...
There are different strains of killed flu virus in the vaccine most years, sometimes the vax is the same for a couple years in a row. Other than that, the shots are exactly the same from year to year.
Even if you don't care about yourself, and are shortsighted enough to think that the NEXT time you get the flu when you are nearly 10 years older it wont be worse (wishful thinking....)..... think about those around you. By having the flu, you expose your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, elderly, and the young to this infection as well for a long time. Could be days to 1-2 weeks of being infectious. It may hurt one of them even more than it hurts you.
Maybe.
BUT, they all got their shots, so they should NOT get the flu from anybody, right?
If the shot will not protect them, why bother getting it?
No, I did not get the shot.
No, I haven't had one for many years.
If I had the flu in years past, it was such a mild case that I didn't even notice it.
But then, I'm only slightly over 70, just a kid, I guess.
Maybe.
BUT, they all got their shots, so they should NOT get the flu from anybody, right?
If the shot will not protect them, why bother getting it?
No, I did not get the shot.
No, I haven't had one for many years.
If I had the flu in years past, it was such a mild case that I didn't even notice it.
But then, I'm only slightly over 70, just a kid, I guess.
No vaccine is 100%. If you can reduce your chances of getting the flu, why not do so?
Got a high dose senior shot (I am 67--not really elderly to my mind) at different pharmacy than normally use--I am in Florida right now--usually get my shot in DFW TX area.
Had sore area after initial injection.
Next day arm still sore and later that night after shower noticed I had large red, swollen area about 4 inches long and 4-5 inches wide--extending down from injection site and about half way around my arm...
Was raised/swollen, sore to the touch, and hot...looked inflamed.
I have had flu shots for past several years and have never had reaction like that before.
Had headache and felt generally a little off...
Called the CVS where I got the shot and spoke to pharmacist still there--store was almost ready to close.
He said that was just reaction to shot--
I should mark the diameter of the raised areas with ball point and note any additional swelling outside those lines.
IF that happened should go to the ER--also if there was indication of anaphylaxis--swelling in throat, difficulty breathing, etc...
None of that happened but the redness/swelling/hot persisted for at least two days...
it was sore for more than a week and there was itching under the skin even after the redness and puffyness went away...
I was concerned and I will think hard about getting a shot next year--
I don't know what the different was but my husband got his shot in TX area with no problems and my friend who always gets a shot too got hers w/o any issues...
Will report to my own doctor when I get back to TX so they can document the serial number of the vaccine used...
I don't take any medicine, herbal supplement or vitamins my doctor hasn't prescribed. If my doctor told me to take the flu shot I would. So far, she hasn't mentioned it. I'm not over 65, however, just retired.
I don't take any medicine, herbal supplement or vitamins my doctor hasn't prescribed. If my doctor told me to take the flu shot I would. So far, she hasn't mentioned it. I'm not over 65, however, just retired.
That's too bad. The CDC recommends a flu vaccine for everyone over the age of 6 months who has no contraindications. The research shows that the recommendation of a health care provider is a good motivator.
That's too bad. The CDC recommends a flu vaccine for everyone over the age of 6 months who has no contraindications. The research shows that the recommendation of a health care provider is a good motivator.
I don't take any medication I don't need to take, even aspirin. I prefer to exercise daily, maintain a healthy weight, and eat a healthy diet to maintain my health. Most people don't do this, however.
I don't take any medication I don't need to take, even aspirin. I prefer to exercise daily, maintain a healthy weight, and eat a healthy diet to maintain my health. Most people don't do this, however.
None of that will prevent the flu, either. That's why the CDC recommends it for everyone, including you saints who "exercise daily, maintain a healthy weight, and eat a healthy diet to maintain (your) health".
I don't take any medication I don't need to take, even aspirin. I prefer to exercise daily, maintain a healthy weight, and eat a healthy diet to maintain my health. Most people don't do this, however.
Unfortunately, those actions will do little to keep you from either catching or spreading the flu.
A healthy diet will improve cardiovascular fitness and help you control your blood pressure. It will do little to resist an infectious disease and I could probably make a list of athletes and particularly fit people who came down with the influenza and other infectious diseases.
This idea that leading a "healthy lifestyle" will keep you from catching an infectious disease is not well founded. There is little evidence to support it.
If you are interested, there are other actions besides getting a shot or taking medicine that you can take to help avoiding catching the flu. These should be used in addition to the flu shot though--not in place of it. These include:
1. Washing your hands in soap and water frequently.
2. Avoiding contact with sick people.
3. Staying home--if that is an option--during the worst of the flu season.
The number one way to prevent the flu though is to take the flu shot.
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