Do you get your flu shot?

[sunshine16]

Hello everyone,

I was doing some thinking about the flu shot.

I have no problems with needles, however have never gotten a flu shot, nor has my Mom.

She believes that its somewhat useless, and that you really need to
build up your immune system yourself by being exposed to germs. However
from an emets point of view, anything that could help sounds appealing,
especially since its said to be bad this year, (see my other topic).

Thank you for your input.

Laura</font>

[kate1966]

I have never had the flu shot in my life....I am kind of scared to get one really.....not afraid of needles at all....but just the side effects of the shot i guess....of course i guess the flu would be a million times worse than the shot itself.....

[jesskali]

I have never gotten one, but have actually considered getting one this year since I will be going through some medical treatments this winter. I will be missing enough work as it is and I can't afford to get sick. I still haven't made up my mind completely though. I think for people that are relatively healthy the flu shot isn't necessary. Being a nurse, I have talked with many young, healthy people who have suffered side effects.

Jess

[angel13]

My whole life, my mum has been skeptical about shots of any kind, so I've kinda cottoned onto her train of thought ^_^ I don't think they are absolutely necessary...our bodies build up immunity, anyway.


But, I suppose it wouldn't be a bad idea to get some extra protection against all the germs floating around out there in winter. I've never had a flu shot...I agree with jesskali, though, if you're healthy, its not absolutely necessary. Old people and young children should get them, I think, as they can come down with things pretty bad, and might have more trouble getting over them.

[hippychick]

I've only ever had full on flu twice in my life and have never had a flu shot. I guess because I'm not in any of the health risk groups and my work has never been so important that i couldn't skip it for a week or so, so I don't bother with the flu shot. If I get flu you know I'll be on here whinging I should have hehe

[trinity_13]

I have flu shots as i am an Asthmatic, my one last year was fine i only had a sore arm for a few days but my shot this year that i had 2 weeks ago knocked me off my socks with flu symptoms for nearly a week. Well i think it was the flu shot as it was so coincidental that i had flu symptoms 2 days within having the jab. All i know is i felt terrible, couldn't get out of bed and it wasn't a cold as i didn't even have a runny nose! I don't think it was the full flu and i am still glad i got the shot if it protects me from getting full blown flu for the next year.

[hippychick]

I'd like to point something out, you said it was "especially bad this year" and looking at your post it appears you mean bird flu. Bird flu is only transmitted between birds and humans, it is not contracted like regular flu. The fear is that it MIGHT mutate into somethiing that can be passed between humans but no one knows IF that will happen. Having a regular flu shot won't prevent Bird Flu, if there is an outbreak the government have plans in place.