Sort of off Topic but VERY important

It's been pounding us here in the southeast US for a couple of months now. It hit here very early. Already had it. It's not pretty.

It's times like these my rural lifestyle suits me just fine.

And also, if you check through your local health department, if you are already receiving some kind of government assistance, (Medicare, SSD, etc) you could qualify for the vaccine for free.

Actually, I had the flu & pneumonia shot and was just released from the hospital today from a week of battling those exact two things! My fever went all the way up to 104.2! The hospital staff told me they didn't get the correct strain with the flu shot this year.. Maybe they made a mistake.

Best wishes to all! The flu is horrible! :(

I got my flu shot back in November. I come into contact with a lot of people everyday between school and working in the clinics. I really can't afford to miss class because of the flu, so the vaccine is a must have for me. My immune system is also usually somewhat compromised while I'm in school due to a combo of intense stress and sleep deprivation.

My doctor joked with me when I asked for a flu shot, saying that he'd love to give me one, and that he would give it to me personally because made him feel "doctorly" & he doesn't feel that way with me very often. He is genuinely just as frustrated as I am that he can't do more to help me with all my medical problems (pcp does all of my pm), but this was something that he could do, and could help with!

There have been a lot of "flu-like illnesses" going around in my area, but very few confirmed cases of "the actual flu". My father is a local physician (pcp), and despite seeing many patients with flu-like symptoms, he has only actually seen one confirmed case of the flu. Regardless, the flu is something that should be taken very seriously!

It's worth noting that one's immunity can potentially be compromised by certain medications, stress, and lack of sleep, among other things -- many of which us as CP patients experience either concurrently with or as a result of our CP. Now more than ever, it is really important to practice proper hygiene -- especially hand washing!! And remember, just because you have been vaccinated doesn't mean that you are safe. Even if scientists did accurately predict the major strains of flu present this year, you could still catch a different strain that was not included in this year's vaccine.

[minor rant here:]
Additionally, antibiotics do not help treat the flu. Any responsible doctor will refuse to prescribe antibiotics to anyone with the flu or flu-like symptoms. The flu is caused by a virus, not a bacteria. While one may say "what is the harm of taking antibiotics just this once", or "just in case they might help," think about this: bacteria are constantly adapting and evolving. Every time a person (you, your family member, neighbor, friend, anyone) takes an antibiotic, it has the potential to contribute to antibiotic resistance, as increased exposure to antibiotics actually decreases it's effect over time across the entire population. Every day, globally, antibiotics become less and less effective. It is only a matter of time before true so-called "superbugs" develop and present-day antibiotics become universally ineffective. Only though proper, responsible prescribing and use of antibiotics can we stop this from happening.

I hope everyone stays safe and healthy!

Skeye

Texas is being hammered as well. They showed on the news here that in addition to the flu there is bad stomach bug going around that is also sending people to ER. Our ER's are full of people sick with this mess, so its best to stay home if you don't have the flu or an emergency.

Walgreens files with Medicare for the flu shot so you pay nothing for the shot, I have done this 2 years in a row. I was too afraid to go in the drs office because its full of people with the flu too. Its really scary when it gets this way. Take care everyone, get the shot, avoid crowds, & wash those hands.

Susie

Thankfully so many here have gotten theirs early! Just wanted to start this thread just in case there are those, like me, that hadn't done it yet but because of the severity this year it has changed my mind.

Matt...I wonder why they are saying you can't get it? Do they give you a reason why? Glad your son got his..

Skeye...Yes...it's not a perfect immunization and it's very important to still try to do everything we can to prevent from catching it even after the shot. Thanks for sharing..

Justanotherday....Happy that everyone is all set now:) That norovirus can be nasty stuff as well. I seem to hear a story about that each year in our area in nursing homes.

Susie....that is a very good point they just made again on the news with the ER not being the place to go immediately unless you are in a truly precarious situation. And I agree, going into some Dr.'s offices during the winter makes me nervous with everyone hacking away:(

Tiredredhead...sorry your little girl was so sick...I hope she is doing much better now.



And yes, even though there are always a few different strains that are floating around of the flu, everything that I have heard/read from Drs. and the news was that this year's shot was spot on with the most common strain.

 

Im another one of those who they wont give it to so every year I have to try to be really really careful. My teen had hers last month and both my grandaughters just had theirs before Xmas so relief in knowing they are covered.

However, I spent the day at Walgreens Monday to fill my meds,as this is FL and I have posted the new policy garbage several times,it turns into a all day affair right? Well this month I ended up in 2 different Walgreens as my regular one didnt have enough to fill it and didnt know when they would so I had to go to another one across town. I also do not drive anylonger as it was getting to the point of dangerous and when I moved here 4 years ago and it took 2 years for me to obtain ID in Florida(another h/a) my license expired so I didnt renew it.

I ride the bus if my daughter is in school or my other daughters working and I need to go somewhere that cant wait,recall I have to fill during office hours,that means no one can drive me either. There were about 12 to 15 people there getting flu shots that day.

2 days later on weds night I awake with a low grade fever as well as very stuffy head and runny nose and have battled those things now since then. It has not gotten worse so am assuming it is a simple virus or something and its just enough to make me feel miserable. Should be better by Monday and if not I will call my DR but I dont think its the flu or I would be much sicker.

Probably came across someone on the bus or at Walgreens that was sick and lo and behold here I am. Short of wearing a mask and tyvek suit or never leaving the house you cant do alot about others going out when they are sick.

I got a letter from daughters school yesterday asking that you NOT send your kids to school sick as it makes others sick as well.

Vickie

I am a firm believer in vaccinations! I got mine at the VA back in November I think, also got the Shingles vaccinations too! I get them all if I can, I know when I was in the military we got vaccinated for everything whether we needed or not! But then after going into nursing, I definitely see the importance of vaccinations, it would be nice if everyone was required to take a course in Microbiology! LOL Hand washing is of the utmost importance in preventing the spread of pathogens It is amazing what good ""proper"" hand washing techniques can do in eliminating the spread of the flu and the common cold.

White Beard

We have never had the flu shot and never will get it. I am totally against it. Plus everytime I ask when its offered, They say it includes the N1H1 vac in it. I am totally against that one as well!!!

I was just talking about this with other people and they brought up a point that every year we a get warnings about 'how bad it is' and its going to be or is the worst case yet!!

I was too scared to go to my PCP's office for my flu shot. I knew it was going to be packed with sick people and it was not worth the risk to me. That is why I went to Walgreens and there were no customers in the pharmacy area while I was there. I did the same thing last year too. I did ask the pharmacist if this flu shot was covering what is going around and he said yes. From what I am reading unless your fever is 104 or more and you are dehydrated they say stay away from the ER's.

I hope everyone here can dodge the bullet & be flu free for the season. Seriously, if you need to go around people in the public get a mask on, we are seeing a lot people do this. After all, the bug can get in through your nose. Wash your hands with soap & water. Stay away from the public as much as possible.We are all going to have cabin fever bad by the time the flu season ends but I would rather have cabin fever than the flu.

Take care & stay virus free......Susie

I always get sicker when I get the flu shot :-P and usually I have a reaction to the flu shot as well, so I do not get it. The only person in my fam who ever gets it is my 11 yo as she has chronic asthma.
so the risks out weigh the benefits. I know it is helpful for those who need it but I am not sold on everyone needing it...I guess I have watched too many documentaries but there is alot of money made selling the flu shot and what gets me even more worked up is anti iotics being prescribed for the flu...when antibiotics don't help the flu. These are just my thoughts but I thought I would share them...

Not sure where you are getting your information Butterfly but for those in the US this is who they recommend who should be vaccinated.



It’s especially important for some people to get vaccinated. Those people include the following:

*Children who are 6 months and younger.

*People who are at high risk of developing serious complications like pneumonia if they get sick with the flu. This includes: ◦People who have certain medical conditions including asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease.

*Pregnant women.

*People 65 years and older

*People who live with or care for others who are high risk of developing serious complications.

This includes: ◦household contacts and caregivers of people with certain medical conditions including asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease.


As I wrote, this year the flu vaccine is pretty on target for the strain that is most prominent. No one has said it's a perfect vaccine, but because so many of us on HW (not just the CP board) fit into the category of having other major health issues or caring for someone who has them, this is why it's important to do.

This board is fine for sharing different views on all sorts of treatments or subjects but telling people they are "worrying too much about something" seems like a very "off" comment coming from someone who isn't even living in the US right now where there truly is an epidemic going on with people who are very ill.

I am not sure where Pink is getting her info either because we have had small children die from the flu and its on the news and it is happening across the country. I had a friend that got sick one year right after she got the flu shot. As it turned out she had a low grade infection going on at the time and did not know it. The shot aggravated things and this is why she got sick. She was surprised she got sick because this was not her first flu shot. My pulmonary dr says because my lungs are so bad the flu has the potential of being fatal for me so I am taking no chances. I would be crazy not to take the shot.

I want us all to be flu free this season......Susie