Swine Flu Concerns

I work in a hospital and I have to get the flu shot. I missed last year's and was sick more often and for longer periods. Really, I think it comes down to the individual.

something to remember as well that even you get a flu shot it does not guarantee you wont get the flu due to the varying strains that are out there.

Phoenix30 wrote:something to remember as well that even you get a flu shot it does not guarantee you wont get the flu due to the varying strains that are out there.

Exactly. The flu shot only contains three strains as determined by the CDC.

Cap'n Clutch wrote:I won't comment on your flu shot experience but it is interesting that there is some puzzling Canadian data.

It is important to remember that this is merely a suggested Corelation and also that the same effect was looked for and not found in the US, Australia and Britian.

I wonder if it's something as simple as the people that get the flu shot aren't as careful and therefore contract swine flu at a higher rate because they feel more protected.

Or maybe they catch it while waiting three hours in the waiting room, among all those procrastinators who get the flu and then think that getting a vaccine will cure them.

Me, I never get the flu. Or so the moron doctors used to tell me. I do not run a fever. Haven't had anything over about 37.5 Celsius since I was a teenager. I get all the other classic flu symptoms, sometimes really, really bad, but never a fever. So for years my doctor was telling me that, if there's no fever, there is no flu.

Well, I finally got another doctor and he said, yeah, sure, you can have the flu without running a fever. Some people (like me, I suppose) never run a fever. Don't know if that's good or bad -- I mean, does the absence of a fever indicate that my immune system is slacking off or simply not even breaking a sweat?

Something that is interesting is that the data they are basing this on is unpublished and still being peer-reviewed.

Jumping the gun? Maybe?

For all those who don't get the flu shot because they think it's only necessary for the elderly you should also realise that it's a useful tool to reduce the incidence of the flu strains they targeted and this reduces the risk for the elderly that you come in contact with.

wprager wrote:

Cap'n Clutch wrote:I won't comment on your flu shot experience but it is interesting that there is some puzzling Canadian data.

It is important to remember that this is merely a suggested Corelation and also that the same effect was looked for and not found in the US, Australia and Britian.

I wonder if it's something as simple as the people that get the flu shot aren't as careful and therefore contract swine flu at a higher rate because they feel more protected.

Or maybe they catch it while waiting three hours in the waiting room, among all those procrastinators who get the flu and then think that getting a vaccine will cure them.

Me, I never get the flu. Or so the moron doctors used to tell me. I do not run a fever. Haven't had anything over about 37.5 Celsius since I was a teenager. I get all the other classic flu symptoms, sometimes really, really bad, but never a fever. So for years my doctor was telling me that, if there's no fever, there is no flu.

Well, I finally got another doctor and he said, yeah, sure, you can have the flu without running a fever. Some people (like me, I suppose) never run a fever. Don't know if that's good or bad -- I mean, does the absence of a fever indicate that my immune system is slacking off or simply not even breaking a sweat?

That is an interesting question. I always thought that a fever was an immune system reaction to aid in fighting off whatever virus you have. The immune system is banking on the virus being unable to cope with the increased temperature I think? I'm not a doctor so don't take my word for it.

I've had the flu once in my life and I've never had a flu shot. I'm not anal about washing my hands, although i do shower daily. I never use antibacterial soap on my skin, and when something falls on the floor i pick it up and eat it.

Is all this swine flu talk just the media sensationalizing trivial events? Much like with SARS in the past, or does my immune system just kick Donkey? Beats me, but I don't worry about that stuff.