This is horrible!

[valleymist]

I was listening to the radio this morning and they said so far they have
this influenza flu going around but they are keeping it under control.
They are worried about a pandemic and said that up to 200-230 people
can die from it in our area alone. The first thing that I thought of was v*
(not the dying part, this phobia is really strange)

They said they will be giving needles for this flu soon. Here is big
problem. Not only am I emetophobic but I have a really bad fear or
needles as well. I've never actually gotten a needle for any of these flu's
before, that is how much I avoided it. I then have anxiety because I'm
afraid I will get this flu and v*

This is a big problem, what can I do? Or even tell myself?

[e-lizabeth]

Valleymist - where in Canada are you? I live near Toronto, and I work for public health. If you want to chat, let me know.

[valleymist]

I live in North Bay, so about 4-5 hours away from Toronto. I just heard about
it this morning, and as soon as I hear the word flu I just associate it with
v*ing. It really doesn't help that I also have a fear of needles.

So if you work for public health, do you know of this flu they are talking
about?

[mommyof3]

Hey, did you end up chatting with e-lizabeth?


I just wanted to reassure you that influenza generally doesn't have v*as a symptom. That is just the feel like crap, cough, achy, fever, thing. Sometimes little kids v* with it because that's what they do LOL!


Non-emets would probably tell you that this makes you feel worse than the sv* but emets would sooner have influenza a million times than a sv*! LOL.


As for the flu shot, I get one every year because I work in health care and I have never felt N* or v* from it. So don't let that be a reason to deter you from it. The needle fear, well, I can't help you there

[*mandi*]

I use to be terrified of needles myself, until i got really sick once and had to go to the hospital and get an IV in my arm. Then they had to take blood from with me a needle. Now that I think about it, its not that bad. I would MUCH rahter have a needle, than to be sick and V*. Ya know? Just close your eyes and have someone hold your hand if you decide to get a flu shot. Thats what Ialways do and it seems to help

[valleymist]

I could probably force myself to get a needle if I was in the hospital sick,
even if it killed me to do so. I don't think I could purposly go there myself
and get the flu shot. These two phobias do not work together lol

Ugh, it's ruining my life!

[japa]

I have a real gripe with the media on the influenza issue. EVERY YEAR at the approach of the flu season, they start talking about the flu pandemic. Remember last year when there was the shortage of the flu vaccine, and the media propagated a bunch of hysteria about it and the potential for a pandemic, blah, blah, blah, blah. Then, they had to end up destroying a bunch of unused vaccine or something like that.


If it's not terrorism or hurricanes, the news shows have to find one more thing to frighten people about. Last night, I was watching Nightline, and Ted Koppel said "we're going to shift our attention to the avian flu," and then babbled with "experts" for an hour about the consequences of a pandemic. Come on, dude, one horror story, even a hypothetical one, just must supplant another, right?


Well, sorry about the rant, but that is how I feel. How does this relate to you, Valley? Well, I think that you do not need to worry about this. Like everyone said, this is not a vomit flu anyway. If you screw up the courage, get the shot. If not, I am sure that you'll be fine anyhow. I mean, think about what the radio is saying, "IF there is a pandemic." If, if, if, ......what a bore and a non-news event. Edited by: japa

[meercat]

The Paulas on here must be on the same wave length because as i was reading the initial post, i was about to say the exact words the other Paula did lol...that influenze, for the most part, only affects the respiratory tract, sinuses, and causes fever and body aches...not v*ing!

I, personally never get the flu shot, only because the one and only time i got it, i ended up WITH the flu, when other years i didn't take the shot, and never got it LOL!

Paula

[valleymist]

Wow am I ever glad I came here and posted this. I feel so much better,
thanks everyone!

I have a good feeling that I'm going to completely wimp out and not get the
stupid shot, like I do EVERY year. E-lizabeth sent me a link with information
about this influenza, and like you all said, no v* as symptom.. so now I'm
even more relieved. Maybe I can actually sleep tonight and I owe it to you all.

Phobias are such a powerful thing, aren't they? I mean they really control
every aspect of my life. I find that frightening.

japa, I agree with you, and y'know my friends got that shot last year and
were really sick with the flu, made me wonder..

[happyteacher]

e-lizabeth and valleymist,


I too live in Toronto and my husband is from North Bay! so you mean to tell me that I finally know of real people who live near me that actually know how I feel? I'm so excited!





happyteacher

[valleymist]

happyteacher, really? That is great! It's definitely nice to know fellow emet's
live so close