Flu, Despite Flu Shot

Discussion in 'Health & Wellness' started by Frank Sanoica, Jan 11, 2018.

  1. Ken Anderson

    Ken Anderson Senior Staff
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    I am concerned about vaccinations, in that I do believe that they can do more harm than good, particularly given the number of vaccinations that many of us receive. However, I don't think I am a fanatic about it. I think about getting a shingles vaccination because that is a miserable disease to have, and the vaccination is supposed to have a better than 50% success rate. Probably, I would get a flu vaccination if I spent more time with other people during the winter but, other than going to the store once in a while, or a bi-weekly shopping trip to Bangor, I generally stay home. Our church is up north so we don't often make the drive in the winter and, even then, it's a small church of only about twenty people. We don't have kids coming in and out of the house anymore, and we receive only a few visitors, and they probably wouldn't visit if they were sick. So I am thinking that I can avoid the flu without a vaccination.
     
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  2. Chrissy Cross

    Chrissy Cross Supreme Member
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    I don't seem to have any problems with vaccinations. Ive had the all the ones I was supposed to have as a child.

    Got the flu shot once and the shingles vaccine also.

    Recently had a tetanus shot which the nurse said would hurt but it didn't.

    The tetanus shot a few years ago was just a precaution...Pickles snagged my hand and drew blood. My dr said just to be on the safe side so I got it.

    Didn't have insurance then and it cost $75.

    The shingles shot was $200

    The flu shot at the time was free for me because it was required by St Agnes Hospital in order to volunteer.

    I'm the type that doesn't get side effects...usually.
     
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  3. Chrissy Cross

    Chrissy Cross Supreme Member
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    Also, the fact that now I'm over the age of 65 makes me lean in favor of getting the flu shot.
     
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  4. Hedi Mitchell

    Hedi Mitchell Supreme Member
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    30 people here have died of the flu. And very close to becoming an epidemic according to the news. I finally got my flu shot the other day but still staying close to home. @Frank Sanoica ..flu or no flu she needs to see the doctor...keep us posted.
     
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  5. Shirley Martin

    Shirley Martin Supreme Member
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    "But when I add the chance that I'll get sick from the vaccination itself with the fact that there is still a 50% chance that I'll get the flu anyhow, I decided against it. "

    @Ken Anderson , hypothetical situation:

    Someone has a gun pointed at your head. It holds 100 rounds. 50 of the chambers are empty. The cartridges in 49 chambers only contain enough powder to severely bruise your head. One is loaded with enough powder to go through your head, taking with it a good deal of your brain. This person offers you a helmet that will stop the bullet. It may cause some discomfort, maybe even cause a couple of blisters where it touches the skin. There is only one chance In 100 that you will die. How brave are you? Would you take the helmet?

    That's how I see the flu vaccine.
     
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  6. Ken Anderson

    Ken Anderson Senior Staff
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    Well put.
     
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  7. Cody Fousnaugh

    Cody Fousnaugh Supreme Member
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    Anyone who doesn't want to get the shot, that's entirely up to them. But, the one year I didn't, I came down with a really bad cough just before the weekend of New Years. I was coughing so bad, I told my wife "I think the good Lord might take me". I was able to see a doctor the day after New Years Day (on a Monday) and it turned out, from getting a chest x-ray, that I had a nice spot of pneumonia on one lung. Prescription codeine cough syrup and anti-biotic got rid of everything.

    After that episode, I now, as well as my wife, get the Senior Double Dose Flu Shot each and every year. Not saying we won't get a bad cold, or even the flu, but at least it won't be as bad as without the shot.
     
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  8. Kitty Carmel

    Kitty Carmel Veteran Member
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    Nursing homes will stop admissions if there is a bad flu outbreak. It's a horrible condition to work in when it happens. Worse to be the sick person.
     
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  9. Holly Saunders

    Holly Saunders Supreme Member
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    85 people have died thus far from this flu virus here in the UK..and in the last week alone deaths have risen by a massive 77% according to the media today . Very scary if it's true...but it seems to be affecting all ages not just the very young, sick or old...

    I haven't had the flu jab and I'm not going to get it, I get too poorly after any vaccinations...that said I'm going to try and stay home as much as I can, and have given hubs strict warning to ensure he's doing everything he can while he's at work to minimise the risks of catching it and bringing it home.

    I've had pneumonia twice in my life..I think a third would kill me off..


    No updates from frank yet?... that's a bit worrying...
     
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  10. Frank Sanoica

    Frank Sanoica Supreme Member
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    @Gloria Mitchell
    Well, it is now the second day passed, and she has refused to go to the dr. Of course, in view of refusing my demand that she go to the ER when she had an obvious TIA, and talked "out of her head" for about 20 minutes, her refusal today is not surprising. I gauging all this by her symptoms: dry, hacking cough, little or no phlegm, no sign of involvement in lungs, yet. Pneumonia being as great a danger to old folks that it is, I watch closely for early signs. Then the team of horses is readied.

    So far, I'm untouched (except maybe a bit touched in the head). Recall the Pharmacist saying when we got the flu shots that due to my being 75, mine would be more "potent" than my wife's. Perhaps mine included the strain now gripping thousands. I felt nothing during administration of the shot, nor any after-effects following it.
    Frank
     
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  11. Cody Fousnaugh

    Cody Fousnaugh Supreme Member
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    Is she taking any kind of OTC medication for colds/flu? She should be doing something or taking something. Bottom Line, she doesn't want to be "stubborn" about this.
     
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  12. Kitty Carmel

    Kitty Carmel Veteran Member
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  13. Chrissy Cross

    Chrissy Cross Supreme Member
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    Yes, I'm reading about quite a few deaths even in children who just thought they had the flu and then died of complications.

    Just read a story of a 12 yr old girl who died in the next town from me...:(
     
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  14. Cody Fousnaugh

    Cody Fousnaugh Supreme Member
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    Yes, it's pretty bad and not getting any better real soon. We REALLY watch who we get around. Someone coughs and/or tissue at their nose, we try very hard to get away from them.
     
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  15. Kitty Carmel

    Kitty Carmel Veteran Member
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    Oh wow. I wonder if she had any pre-existing or underlying health issues. At work people cough right in my face. They don't get it anymore. I try my best to protect myself. I'm working part time again starting this month so I hope that helps that I'm not so run down though my health coverage gives me anxiety.
     
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