Do you get a flu shot?

ForeverRoses · #1 10-19-2006, 12:51 PM

I get a flu shot every year, mainly becuase I have two small kids (1yr & 4yrs) and I don't want them to get sick any more than they already do! So we usually go as a "family" and all get shots (although I would rather get the FluMist stuff, but then what kind of example would that be for the 4yr old?).

Drolefille · #2 10-19-2006, 12:53 PM

Plus, the FluMist means you're contagious (shed the virus) for about 2 weeks. Health care workers are usually prohibitted from getting it. Unless things have changed in the past few years.

AlexMack · #3 10-19-2006, 01:01 PM

I'm supposed to as I'm high risk (EMT with bad asthma) but I never do. I've managed to avoid the flu completely for quite some time now without the shot.

Jill1228 · #4 10-19-2006, 01:12 PM

I am high risk too (asthma). last time I got the flu shot, I got the flu twice that winter

#5 10-19-2006, 01:37 PM

I am asthamtic...that is my primary reason for getting it, plus i have a child who brings everything home from school and being a single parent it sure isn't wise to be sick as a dog with a 6 yr old.

honeychile · #6 10-19-2006, 01:55 PM

I get both the flu & pneumonia shots. Being both in geriatrics AND the ability to catch just about anything that comes down the pike, it only seems prudent.

AlexMack · #7 10-19-2006, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by honeychile

I get both the flu & pneumonia shots. Being both in geriatrics AND the ability to catch just about anything that comes down the pike, it only seems prudent.

Honeychile, don't kill me. I read that as you being geriatric. *ducks*

honeychile · #8 10-20-2006, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by centaur532

Honeychile, don't kill me. I read that as you being geriatric. *ducks*

I get that a lot! I also do an Introduction to History class for elementary schools, and the first time I showed up, the teachers told me that they were expecting a little old blue-haired lady!

I think it comes from being the younger child of two youngest children - I have first cousins who have children older than I!!

OrchidAlum · #9 10-19-2006, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetaRose

I had a flu shot once several years ago, and got the flu from it. I've never gotten the shot again.

I had the same experience. My mother was on my case to get the shot my freshman year of college. I finally gave in, and the shot gave me the flu.

I had never had the flu before I had the shot, and I haven't had it since. Unless I think I'm going to be at high risk, I don't think I'll ever get it again.

EagleChick19 · #10 10-19-2006, 03:11 PM

I got one this year. I work with kids (between the ages 3 and 6) who have behavioral health disorders, such as autism and ADHD. Those kids come down with everything during the winter and I wanted to protect myself.

RU OX Alum · #11 10-19-2006, 03:18 PM

I have to get one because I'm ashtamatic and because I've had pneumonia I have to get that one too.

epchick · #12 10-19-2006, 03:39 PM

I don't. I'm 21, and I've never had the flu, and so I've never really felt the "urge" to get a flu shot.

Plus everytime i have gotten the shot i've gotten sick (but not with the flu---just "flu like" symptoms).

AGDee · #13 10-19-2006, 03:40 PM

I always get one and so do my kids. I'm on meds that suppress my immune system and both of the kids have asthma. They've never gotten the flu in a year where they got the shot.

DolphinChicaDDD · #14 10-19-2006, 06:07 PM

I get the flu vaccine because I have asthma. And for what its worth, although I'm going to get a million responses that I'm worng, you can't get the flu from a flu shot. It uses a dead virus. You may have been exposed before the shot or you may have gotten a nasty cold, or you may be the 1 in million people who get Guillain-Barré (a disease in which the body damages its own nerve cells, resulting in muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis).The nasal spray, yes, cause that is a live virus. But the regular ol' flu shot. No.

Sorry, its one of my pet peeves.

AChiOhSnap · #15 10-19-2006, 06:16 PM

I never got the flu shot just because I didn't really see the big deal with the flu... I was like "whatever, you have a stomachache and throw up for a few days. Big deal."

However, December of my freshman year of college I got the flu which quickly turned into pneumonia which laid me out for two weeks. It was really gross. Now I get the flu shot.