Sort of off Topic but VERY important

I am also one that can't get the shot. I have a severe reaction to it and either end up in the hospital (which is the worse place to be when immuno suppressed) or I get cellulitis where the shot was given and need antibiotics to clear it up.

I react this way to ALL vaccines none of my shots are up to date. However, my family do get the flu shot. They both are required by my Drs to get one each year. As I'm immuno suppressed they can only have the shot. The nasal spray is a live vaccine.

We have very strict rules in our home. I'm currently only allowed out to my Drs, pulmonary rehab, and my massage therapist office, and home. I do occasionally sneak out to Walmart at like 1-2am. Hardly anyone there LOL. Friends can only visit IF they are well, children are allowed during flu season. You walk thru our door you go directly to the sink and wash your hands, and NO hugging me.

I feel bad about the rules, but I nearly died a few years back when I picked up the swine flu, I spent 20 days in the hospital.

So if you can get your vaccine, practice good hand washing, also limit touching others. I hope our CP family can avoid this years flu bug.

Hugs,
Barbara

I'm a firm believer that if you can get the flu shot then its well worth it. There are some people that can't due to serious adverse reactions or other medical issues.

Now this more than likely is just a fluke, but 3 out of our 4 children had RSV as infants, with 2 ending up in the ICU. Since we've been makin sure they get their flu shots the worst we've had to deal with is a 24 hour rotovirus here and there.

The flu shot isn't perfect. However it does have a 60% success rate. And the few that do get the flu even after being vaccinated end up with a shorter milder flu.

This years vaccine is protecting against
A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus
A/Victoria/361/2011 (H3N2)-like virus
B/Wisconsin/1/2010-like virus

The 2012-2013 flu vaccine will not protect against the H3N2v flu, associated with exposure to swine, which resulted in more than 300 flu cases in 2011 and 2012.

And you cannot get the flue from having the flu shot. If you end up sick afterwards chances are you were already infected before you were vaccinated. Like any virus its a couple of days after exposure that you actually show signs and symptoms.