Flu shots

20 years of fighting cancer forces me to follow Doc orders and get a flue shot. Also, at age 73, my immune system is marginally compromised anyway. So, I drink the Koolaid every year. The biggest difference I can tell with the shot is that my immunity to the common cold has been upped significantly. I haven't had a case of the common cold for over 5 years.

A case of the flue could be very nasty for me at this point in time, so I take every possible route available to minimize my chances of catching a bug. I only fly with a surgical mask. I don't go to movie theaters and when i'm at the grocery store, I always wipe down the cart handle.

So far, so good.

I know there is a lot of questionable info out there about big pharma and flue shots, but so far they've done the job. Also, I'm alive and well after 20 years of cancer therapies including one miracle drug from big Pharma, so I'm good with the shots and all the scandals.
 
After 28 years as a Respiratory Therapist, (my first medical career go round),seeing countless flu patients in the hospital, some of them on one way trips from home, (since it often progresses into pneumonia), and getting a personal flu shot every year since I can't remember when and not getting sick, I am a firm believer in if it might work, that is better than not :?

As mentioned, as we age our immune system becomes less robust, and for whatever reason, what ever I can do to prevent getting sick, I do. Yes to wiping down the cart, and use a wipe on the way out of the store for a hand wash too, frequent hand washing, don't touch the handle when leaving the restroom door, don't cough or sneeze into my hand, and take lots of Vitamin C.

At chooo now :wink:

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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We both religiously get our "super duper, double dose, Senior flu shot" yearly--and had ours the end of August. I had a slightly sore arm this year, and some mild general reaction--Marie had the same.

Also as you ago, there are several strains of pneumonia vaccine which you should have.

Also the shingles vaccine--it will not prevent the shingles, but make it much milder. Marie has had all of her shots, and developed a very mild case of shingles--treated with the oral RX starting the second day after the rash appeared, and was gone within about 10 days--none of the usual suffering usually present.

Wonderful if you are young and healthy. As Harvey says, if you get a complication and have to be hospitalized, it is a different story. There is still a mortality with the flu--and it is something which can be avoided.
 
thataway":22yfv6di said:
We both religiously get our "super duper, double dose, Senior flu shot" yearly--and had ours the end of August. I had a slightly sore arm this year, and some mild general reaction--Marie had the same.

Also as you ago, there are several strains of pneumonia vaccine which you should have.

Also the shingles vaccine--it will not prevent the shingles, but make it much milder. Marie has had all of her shots, and developed a very mild case of shingles--treated with the oral RX starting the second day after the rash appeared, and was gone within about 10 days--none of the usual suffering usually present.

Wonderful if you are young and healthy. As Harvey says, if you get a complication and have to be hospitalized, it is a different story. There is still a mortality with the flu--and it is something which can be avoided.
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Yes, the pneumonia vaccine(s) is also a must.

Bob, when I was in the military and giving "all those shots" I always had the guys "drop and do 50 (pushups) before they got to the pay officer. Cured the arm soreness -- well at least they were equally sore on both sides :wink:

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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I got mine last week. It's not just about me not getting the flu it's also about my contribution to the community's herd immunity. Also, I have grandchildren and I don't want to pass the flu to them (even if I show no or few symptoms). For me, it's part of my patriotic duty to get my vaccinations and help keep others who might not have a strong immune system safe.
 
rogerbum":31wptd2y said:
I got mine last week. It's not just about me not getting the flu it's also about my contribution to the community's herd immunity. Also, I have grandchildren and I don't want to pass the flu to them (even if I show no or few symptoms). For me, it's part of my patriotic duty to get my vaccinations and help keep others who might not have a strong immune system safe.
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Good point and well said
 
From a Texas colleague


I’m particularly worried given delays in vaccine delivery due to Harvey and probably Irma, compounded with the issue of so many families being displaced and dealing with other hurricane related trauma that the vaccine will slip their minds. Tell everyone you see… get vaccinated!!
 
thataway":2gdvix9a said:
Also the shingles vaccine--it will not prevent the shingles, but make it much milder. Marie has had all of her shots, and developed a very mild case of shingles--treated with the oral RX starting the second day after the rash appeared, and was gone within about 10 days--none of the usual suffering usually present.
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I cant agree more with this. I had the perfect storm of stresses in my life almost 2 years ago, including a broken foot, being rear ended on the freeway, working two persons jobs at once, and having severe bank erosion at our high bluff beach cabin we used to live in. I noticed these small bumps on the side of my ribs. Being younger and thinking I was tough I did not go to the doctor and get the vaccine or treatment until it was too late and had spread into a huge band of blistering scabs. It was 5 weeks of the most brutal pain, and when I finally went to the doctor because it was unbearable, she told me there was nothing they could do for me. Get the shingles vaccine if you haven't already, please. Nobody should have to go through that. Im serious it hurts way worse than it looks, and it looks terrible.
 
The other issue with Shingles (Herpes Zoster) is that it follows the neurological dermatomes (the routes of the peripheral nerves). But if it gets on the face, and then gets into the eye, it can case blindness!

The prodromal to shingles on the face may be an unusual head ache, burning sensation, and then the rash. If you have any facial symptoms like this seek medical care immediately. Once the eye is involved it becomes far more serious very rapidly.
 
btdt- I got as small fever and the sweats for a few days. Worked right thru it. Was delivering propane in the winter at the time. Nothing like draggin 100 ft of hose in waste deep snow to get over the flu.

I know people dont beleive it but every year I was in the USMC and got the shot I got sick. Not quite the flu but more like a bad head cold. Every year with in days of getting the shot.

I have no problem with people getting the shot but it should never be a requirement in a free county.. and that is all I will say about that. Not trying to start any arguments , everyone should do what they think is best and leave others out of it . back to boating.
 
My wife, the RN, makes me. lol. Although she said it's just a bit early to get it yet; she feels October is better. And this year she says I should get the Shingles shot, since I turned 60... And I hate needles.... :cry: Don't know if the flu shot really helps or not. I also drive school bus part time, and being around kids it's hard to not come down with a cold now and then. However, during the flu season, I'm pretty religious about washing my hands frequently. Not sure I've had a bad case of real flu in the last few years or not. Last year I had something, but I think it was bad food... Colby
 
thataway":124emq5a said:
The other issue with Shingles (Herpes Zoster) is that it follows the neurological dermatomes (the routes of the peripheral nerves). But if it gets on the face, and then gets into the eye, it can case blindness!

The prodromal to shingles on the face may be an unusual head ache, burning sensation, and then the rash. If you have any facial symptoms like this seek medical care immediately. Once the eye is involved it becomes far more serious very rapidly.
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FWIW My wife had shingles on her forehead that moved towards her eyes. Bed ridden and in severe pain but did not lose her eye sight. At the time, shingle shots were not covered by insurance so I gladly 'ordered' and paid the $285 for the shot. I never ever want to go through what she had to.

Having protective parents and spending 22 years in the military I think I have been given almost every vaccine out there. The good news- I have not had tetanus, hep B, pneumonia, polio, small pox, whooping cough, mumps, rubella, meningitis, shingles, flu, diphtheria, etc. I can't guarantee the shots were the cure but I certainly have no regrets for being proactive.

Bottom line- If you are over 60, I highly recommend you get the shingles vaccine. A friend who received the vaccination at my pleading still got the shingles, but it was essentially gone in one weekend.
 
With regard to Roger's mention of herd immunity, Colby is a good citizen. It has been said that the three most important public health findings over the years have been the pit privvy, hand washing, and vaccines. These alone have reduced the morbidity and mortality of millions.
 
Consider that many of the illness which we can contract are air borne.

CDC:
People with flu can spread it to others up to about 6 feet away. Most experts think that flu viruses are spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Less often, a person might also get flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own mouth or nose.

To avoid this, people should stay away from sick people and stay home if sick. It also is important to wash hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub. Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those who are sick should not be shared without washing thoroughly first. Eating utensils can be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with water and soap and do not need to be cleaned separately. Further, frequently touched surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected at home, work and school, especially if someone is ill.

The Flu Is Contagious

Most healthy adults may be able to infect other people beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick. Children may pass the virus for longer than 7 days. Symptoms start 1 to 4 days after the virus enters the body. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Some people can be infected with the flu virus but have no symptoms. During this time, those persons may still spread the virus to others.
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There is often cited an incident where an airplane was delayed on the tarmac, with no ventilation system working. One passenger had the flu. Over 75% contracted it after this exposure.

I always carried a travel type surgical mask with me when I used to fly on commercial airplanes. I would not hesitate to put it on, if anyone within a range of 10 to 12 feet had a cough or symptoms of any infection. Because I am probably more susceptible due to heart disease, I try and avoid crowded places during the flu season. This is not to minimize sanitizing your hands and surfaces.

The flu vaccine takes 2 weeks to become effective. Someone who has exposure to multiple people who have been traveling, or who travel themselves (such as on airplanesI) should get the flu shot early in the season. The make up of the shots depends on the best "guess" of what strains are most likely to be present that year. When I was caring for over 900 division one athletes I had them all get the flu shot when school started. There were people from all parts of the world who came to the university, and we traveled by airplane during the various competitive seasons. The incidence of flu in the athletes, and support personal was extremely low. When we traveled, I made it a point to talk to every member of the team, and staff at breakfast each day, and observe if there was any evidence of illness.
 
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