Flu Vaccines

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by WinniBug

who never went to college and even tried to talk her 3 post-high school children OUT of college.

WTF seriously? Why would you do that?

[lindz0722]

I'm a bit of a germophobe, so I'd rather get a vaccine and reduce the risk of getting sick.
I get the seasonal flu shot every year, typically get a couple flu-like symptoms (fully expected) on day 2 post-shot, and then I'm fine. Senior year of college (during formal recruitment, actually) I got a strain of the flu nonetheless, but while everyone else who got sick around the same time was out of commission for a week, I felt better in just 2 or 3. I think the flu shot is great.
So when the H1N1 vaccine became available in my area, I went and got the shot as soon as I could (I am 23, so I barely made the cutoff).

I cannot believe how many people I've mentioned it to who say "I can't believe you did that." "Hope you're still alive in a few months." "You have no idea what's in that vaccine." etc. It is driving me crazy!! I'm so glad I'm not the only one.

[christiangirl]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

The reaction you experienced is rare, but demonstrated your immune system working a little overtime. The lymph nodes in your axilla (armpit) drain your upper extremity, including the area where you had your shot. When antigens reach lymph nodes, they are the first line of defense to fight infection in the area they guard. The reason your lymph nodes got swollen and sore was because your body made tons of new lymphocytes to fight the virus particles that had been injected into your body. Unfortunately, the process went a little further than it needed to, but we see this quite frequently in other minor infections. The lymph nodes go away over time like yours did. Nurses are not trained to know all of the side effects, etc. Not her fault, that's why we have doctors!

Wooooow...that was a lot to take in, but thanks. It makes sense and was much better than my answer...(I was convinced I had cancer that was spreading to my brain and all my other internal organs--ever since last season of Grey's, that's my answer for everything. It takes a bit to get a grip on myself. )

The H1N1 vaccine just became available this week. Like I said, as I work in a hospital (around cancer patients, no less) I'll get the vaccine for them, not for me. If it were up to me, I'd just keep doing what I've been doing, but it's not just me I have to think about.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by christiangirl

Wooooow...that was a lot to take in, but thanks. It makes sense and was much better than my answer...(I was convinced I had cancer that was spreading to my brain and all my other internal organs--ever since last season of Grey's, that's my answer for everything. It takes a bit to get a grip on myself. )

The H1N1 vaccine just became available this week. Like I said, as I work in a hospital (around cancer patients, no less) I'll get the vaccine for them, not for me. If it were up to me, I'd just keep doing what I've been doing, but it's not just me I have to think about.

Exactly!