So I was admitted last night to the hospital testing positive for the influenza A. The doctor asked if I got the flu shot and I told him I have never got one. So what are your thoughts on the flu shots?
I hope you are better soon. I can not take the flu shot due to allergic reaction.
I was told there are two kinds of flu shots. For lack of better terminology, I was told one was “alive” and one was “dead”. That I can’t take the alive one because I’d likely get the flu. But the dead one I can take. I’m still too scared to get one.
There was on the news either tonight or last night about a young healthy Texan fellow who died from the flu. His wife said that he had the regular flu symptoms, chills, fever, body aches etc but he than had hard time breathing...as she pointed out if it could happen to him, well happen to anyone as he was in the prime of his life and health!
Also that really nasty type of flu has been reported here in the US. If that turns into epidemic well a whole lot of people are going to die, flu shot or not.
I been getting one since my late twenties when diagnosed. My doc put it this way, not going to be the lupus, most likely, that will kill me but something can gets it foothold in my body due to my weaken immune system from the lupus. So if a healthy young man can die....well what are our chances?
I can also say that since getting flu shot, i have not once got it! The last few times i had it well, it lasted with me for months, where they wanted to put me in the hospital and i just kept saying no. I do it at home!
CDC has a lot of information about the flu such as outbreaks and what strains. Here is a link for the map of where it is out breaking the worst..Tx is one. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/usmap.htm
But i agree with purplebutterly, get one now...worse flu tends to hit in Feb and it takes about month for the vaccine to start working in your body.
I routinely receive the flu vaccine in injection form. This vaccine contains only a portion of the virus and is referred to as a “dead” vaccine. For immunocompromised individuals, this is the only option.
The nasal spray contains “live” virus and is not suitable for patients with an altered immune status.
H1N1, the particularly nasty influenza that was discovered a few years ago, has been reported in our state (Oklahoma) and surrounding states. But there is no guarantee the vaccine offers a resistance tot his particular virus.
The process of making the vaccine is complicated and a bit like trying to see the future in a crystal ball. Technically, the Southern Hemisphere of the Earth has their flu season before us. Data is tracked to determine which viruses are active and virus are chosen based on virulence, ease of transmission and severity of symptoms. A committee then decides the make up for our flu vaccine (several “pieces” of multiple viruses are added to the mix) and the vaccine is rushed through production.
If a virus emerges that is different from what the Southern Hemisphere dealt with, it probably didn’t make it into the vaccine. There is still hope however. There are multiple regions of viruses that are similar and this could work to protect against viruses not included specifically in the vaccine.
Also, it’s important to realize the influenza is NOT a stomach virus. It is a respiratory virus. The vomiting, diarrhea and body aches are the result of toxins that develop as the viral DNA take over your cells and use it for its own purpose. For it to be influenza, there must be a respiratory component.
I also want to add, should you become ill (with or without the vaccine) and your physician wants to prescribe antibiotics, PLEASE request blood tests to confirm there is a need for them. We have to stop prescribing antibiotics at the current rate.
Good luck with the flu shots!!!
I took a flu shot in October, after confirming with my doctor it was okay. I’ve been in one of my worst and longest Flares ever. I was off all of my meds, and my last infusion was in March 2013. It was an immediate reaction for me (hours after the shot). At my last infusion treatment, their where 5 people there that had the flu shot and had no reaction. I guess I drew the short straw.
I used to get the flu shot and even though it is a dead virus i would still get a flare. But on the other hand i get a flare when i dont get the shot snd get the full blown flu. Its bad news for me eithrr way. So i just skipthe shot and hope for the best each yr.
I used to hesitate to get the flu shot but after years of getting it without problem, now i get it regularly. I've never had a reaction to the shot, and have never had the flu. I've also noticed that in my organization where flu shots are required, the incidence of flu has decreased significantly.
Go by what your physician recommends - mine said with the increased susceptiblity you have to infections due to the Lupus, its even more important to get the flu shot.
Nikki
This was the first year I haven’t gotten the flu shot because I had my infusions scheduled. I always get them and everyone in my family gets them to protect me. It never triggers a flare for me, just keeps me from getting sick for months on end. The last time I had the flu it lasted almost two months. With the shot if I get it at all it only lasts a few days so it’s definitely worth it. The other one I highly recommend is the pneumonia vaccination. That’s a one time shot and prevents the most common types of pneumonia.
I have always had the shot and been OK. It is not the active serum that I take which is what most of the shots are. I believe the inhaled one is active.
Hope you feel better soon!
for me no shots. past few years they have not had the strains seen active here. do a little research to what is in them besides the virus, will understand more. Dr Mercola very informative, ignore ads for his products.
loving hugs
The H1N1 virus is the old swine flu virus which has reappeared in the 21st century. That's reason enough to get a flu shot. There are multiple viruses in the shot (live or dead) that you also need to be vaccinated against.
Back in my early 20s I didn't get my flu shot and contracted the Chinese flu. That is the only time I've ever had the flu and have no intention having it again. It was rough and lasted for a month.
There's a lot of controversy about the flu shots. For me, I can't risk a secondary bacterial infection as a result of the flu.
You have to hold on.
Amy said:
I routinely receive the flu vaccine in injection form. This vaccine contains only a portion of the virus and is referred to as a "dead" vaccine. For immunocompromised individuals, this is the only option.
The nasal spray contains "live" virus and is not suitable for patients with an altered immune status.
H1N1, the particularly nasty influenza that was discovered a few years ago, has been reported in our state (Oklahoma) and surrounding states. But there is no guarantee the vaccine offers a resistance tot his particular virus.
The process of making the vaccine is complicated and a bit like trying to see the future in a crystal ball. Technically, the Southern Hemisphere of the Earth has their flu season before us. Data is tracked to determine which viruses are active and virus are chosen based on virulence, ease of transmission and severity of symptoms. A committee then decides the make up for our flu vaccine (several "pieces" of multiple viruses are added to the mix) and the vaccine is rushed through production.
If a virus emerges that is different from what the Southern Hemisphere dealt with, it probably didn't make it into the vaccine. There is still hope however. There are multiple regions of viruses that are similar and this could work to protect against viruses not included specifically in the vaccine.
Also, it's important to realize the influenza is NOT a stomach virus. It is a respiratory virus. The vomiting, diarrhea and body aches are the result of toxins that develop as the viral DNA take over your cells and use it for its own purpose. For it to be influenza, there must be a respiratory component.
I also want to add, should you become ill (with or without the vaccine) and your physician wants to prescribe antibiotics, PLEASE request blood tests to confirm there is a need for them. We have to stop prescribing antibiotics at the current rate.
Good luck with the flu shots!!!!
Thanks all! I am being released today with antibiotics, neb. treatments and musinex. I am still contagious till at least Monday my doc said, so I get to still wear that lovely mask. He said it hasnt turned into pneumonia yet but will re-do a chest xray on Thursday. If my mom hadnt brought me in when she did it could have been worse. I will be talking to my doctor on Thursday about the flu shot. I am just thankful to be going home! :)
Had been getting my flu shot for last 10 years. This year I got my flu shot 2 mths ago and last week I caught the flu.
Two people have died in Florida from HINI flu. They did not get the flu vac. It was reported that had they gotten the flu vac this kind of flu would have been covered this year. I have gotten my flu shot and always have.
I have only had the flu shot once in my life,and I payed for it for about 3 yrs later,i hurt from head to toe ,I ran a fever,just all kinds odd side effects,i cant tell u when I had the flu .I know its been yrs,i just don't get stuff like that.so to make a long story short,i went to a naturalist and he told me not to ever take a flu shot again.he said theres things in there that would stay in my body for yrs and would do more harm than good,so I haven't had one sence and I haven't had the flu,good luck
I just saw my Rhuemy Friday and she made me get one. I have always got one every year, but was reluctant this year because she put me on Imuran. So I don't know what to say, but I have never gotten the flu, knock on wood....but very nervous about this year...now that I have to take Imuran. Hang in there, and hope you get better soon!