I've never had a flu vaccine. Not for any reason, just because I'm lazy about such things.

In the last 30 years I've had real flu precisely once.

But is that just luck? No idea. I have to guess that at least in part it's because many people do take the vaccine and as a result outbreaks do not become epidemics.

Matthew

I am very skeptical about self reports on this subject. The problem is that short of lab work, it is very difficult to distinguish between genuine flu and most foodborne illness, which can have the very same symptoms, not to mention the norovirus, (which is astonishingly contageous and debilitating) and several other diseases floating around. As a professional in cooking, I know how much constant concentration it takes to avoid cross contamination between raw and cooked food, and how difficult it is to get (often drug and alcohol affected) minimum wage workers to maintain that concentration. The vast majority of foodborne illness is reported as the "flu." (and the flu is often blamed on "something I ate.")

Transward

Influenza is caused by a virus and is more of a respiratory disease sometimes leading to pneumonia. Gastroenteritis can be caused by food or in contact with someone else with gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis is sometimes called the "stomach flu" but is not an influenza.

I always get my flu shot as early as it is available. Usually, this will be in late September. I am diabetic and influenza is nothing to mess with if one is diabetic.

I got mine in October

I can recall having the Flu just once in my life, that was about 12 or so years ago, I felt like I was going to die, and wanted to. Until last year when I got health insurance I had never had the shot. But now with my HMO they encourage it tremendously and nag you until you do, I finally did get it in 2011, and in 2012. I hope that it does work for me and keep me safe.

Ken

Eunuken (imported) wrote: Mon Jan 14, 2013 7:38 pm I can recall having the Flu just once in my life, that was about 12 or so years ago, I felt like I was going to die, and wanted to. Until last year when I got health insurance I had never had the shot. But now with my HMO they encourage it tremendously and nag you until you do, I finally did get it in 2011, and in 2012. I hope that it does work for me and keep me safe.

Ken

my insurance hammers me with warnings about flu shots and diabetes checks. even call on the phone, email, snail mail. unless they get a bill for something, they dont stop

finally got my flu shot 2 weeks ago afteer 2 months of harrassment

I find a package of Tamiflu at home works best.

Taking the first tablet when you are scratching your head wondering if you are getting the flu

seems effective in warding it off or containing it to a 3 day process.

Maybe I got a "mild" flu. Gut is out of whack for a few days and periods of chills and warmth. Very low energy.

After so many flu experiences and vaccinations - my old immune system is not so naive. Modified illness.

In the case of (I think) H1N1 it back fired because older immune systems seemed to ID the wrong item and responded more effectively later extending illness a day or three.

Most of all, keep that package of Tamiflu at home. Hours count. I taught this trick to frequent air travelers who were frequently getting sick and they liked the way it worked.

Moi

Then again it could be any one of a number of viruses. Maybe it is time for me to get on the cruise ship and share.

Last time I got the flu vaccine, I ended up in the ER.... I had an allergic reaction to the flu vaccine

But I don't remember having the flu for the last 45 years

_g

Being that I am now 64 and have diabetes 2 and the doctors have been recommending flu shots for me for years I make sure I get mine as early as possible. As I understand the current situation the H3N2 influenza strain that is making people very sick with many deaths is the same as the 1968-69 strain known as the Hong Kong flu which killed tens of thousands. At the time I was much younger, healthy as a horse and strong as a bull. It almost killed me I really thought I was down for the count. Thank goodness I had a doctor who didn't mess around. I told him I had to go back to work and to insure I did not he gave me a sedative without my knowledge, called my mom and told her she had 30 minutes to get me in bed. I was out cold over 24 hours. The only other time I was so sick I wasn't sure it was survivable was when as oral surgeon gave be Hepatitis B.

So this brings up something I'd like to share with you all and that is the importance of the Shingles Vaccine. Until a friend of mine came down with a case of shingles I had not really given it much thought. I knew people got them and it wasn't a good thing but had no idea the intensity of pain and discomfort. Seeing his misery convinced me.

Eunuken (imported) wrote: Mon Jan 14, 2013 7:38 pm I can recall having the Flu just once in my life, that was about 12 or so years ago, I felt like I was going to die, and wanted to. Until last year when I got health insurance I had never had the shot. But now with my HMO they encourage it tremendously and nag you until you do, I finally did get it in 2011, and in 2012. I hope that it does work for me and keep me safe.

Ken