f flu shots

know1

They really do not work. I'm not sure why so many people think they need them.

I haven't ever had one and I do not remember the last time I had the flu....maybe when I was a child.

chiquimonkey

to those who haven't had it, you are so lucky! even when i've been sick with a cold or something, i bounce back fast, but this one has me down bigtime. just has rendered me useless :(

PureandEasy

Sorry to hear you're not feeling well B. I can't get the flu shot because I am allergic to eggs, so I'm always concerned about getting it.

This is a little info they sent out to us here at the Red Cross regarding this year's flu season.



How is it possible to have a mismatch between the flu vaccine and the strains of flu which then cause disease?
Influenza viruses mutate (change) all the time and sometimes strains emerge and cause illness later than expected. Because it takes approximately eight months to manufacture the flu vaccine, experts have to make an educated guess as to what strains to include in the vaccine. For example, the best guess as to what strains will cause the flu in 2009 (and what strains to include in the 2009 vaccine formula) is taking place this month.
The track record of “best guesses” to date has been good: 16 of the last 19 flu seasons had well-matched flu vaccines. That means they were 70-90% effective in preventing the flu during flu season. The last time the flu vaccine did not match very well was in 2003-2004 when the Fujian flu strain emerged. This year, a Brisbane influenza A strain and a Yamagata influenza B strain emerged which were not included in the flu vaccine.

Does this mean the seasonal flu vaccine was of no benefit this year?
No, it does not mean that this year’s vaccine was absolutely useless in terms of protecting a vaccinated person from the flu. A vaccinated person may develop some protection against newly emergent strains, resulting in milder symptoms. Usually, a well-matched vaccine given to healthy young adults provides protection 70-90% of the time. Studies are pending to determine just how much protection this year’s vaccine is providing against this winter’s Brisbane strain. So while it is obviously that the amount of protection has been less than ideal, it is not useless either.

chiquimonkey

PureandEasy wrote:

Sorry to hear you're not feeling well B. I can't get the flu shot because I am allergic to eggs, so I'm always concerned about getting it.

This is a little info they sent out to us here at the Red Cross regarding this year's flu season.



How is it possible to have a mismatch between the flu vaccine and the strains of flu which then cause disease?
Influenza viruses mutate (change) all the time and sometimes strains emerge and cause illness later than expected. Because it takes approximately eight months to manufacture the flu vaccine, experts have to make an educated guess as to what strains to include in the vaccine. For example, the best guess as to what strains will cause the flu in 2009 (and what strains to include in the 2009 vaccine formula) is taking place this month.
The track record of “best guesses” to date has been good: 16 of the last 19 flu seasons had well-matched flu vaccines. That means they were 70-90% effective in preventing the flu during flu season. The last time the flu vaccine did not match very well was in 2003-2004 when the Fujian flu strain emerged. This year, a Brisbane influenza A strain and a Yamagata influenza B strain emerged which were not included in the flu vaccine.

Does this mean the seasonal flu vaccine was of no benefit this year?
No, it does not mean that this year’s vaccine was absolutely useless in terms of protecting a vaccinated person from the flu. A vaccinated person may develop some protection against newly emergent strains, resulting in milder symptoms. Usually, a well-matched vaccine given to healthy young adults provides protection 70-90% of the time. Studies are pending to determine just how much protection this year’s vaccine is providing against this winter’s Brisbane strain. So while it is obviously that the amount of protection has been less than ideal, it is not useless either.

thanks for that marsha! yeah i guess it doesn't hurt to get it, but it sure would be nice to not be afflicted with it now :(

and it's so beautiful outside too, i'm sittin by the window with my tea and kleenex and wishing i was out doing something fun :( bleh

PureandEasy

You should be in bed definately take in as many fluids as possible and get as much sleep as possible

take care, hope it gets better soon

chiquimonkey

PureandEasy wrote:

You should be in bed definately take in as many fluids as possible and get as much sleep as possible

take care, hope it gets better soon

i'll make it back there soon i think...just finishing up my tea and my 7th glass of water lol thanks, i hope i get better soon too!

decides2dream

chiquimonkey wrote:

yep i've heard that too. i still say F it though, cuz i feel like shit :mad:

sorry chica. :(


it IS true though, the annual flu shot covers what the scientists deem the *most likely* strains for that year. how they determine that i have not a clue. so, look at you so special...managing to find and contract one the strains not vaccinated this year.


feel better!

chiquimonkey

decides2dream wrote:

sorry chica. :(


it IS true though, the annual flu shot covers what the scientists deem the *most likely* strains for that year. how they determine that i have not a clue. so, look at you so special...managing to find and contract one the strains not vaccinated this year.


feel better!

haha i should go play the lotto then, once i feel animated to move lol

thanks, yeah i think i'm gonna go take a nap, i feel so tired

decides2dream

chiquimonkey wrote:

haha i should go play the lotto then, once i feel animated to move lol

thanks, yeah i think i'm gonna go take a nap, i feel so tired

haha, yes.....turn it around into something positive!


and absolutely...go nap! flu is one of those times where you are allowed, even expected to sleep and sleep and sleep!

chiquimonkey

decides2dream wrote:

haha, yes.....turn it around into something positive!


and absolutely...go nap! flu is one of those times where you are allowed, even expected to sleep and sleep and sleep!

oh i know, it's just hard to sleep when everything's hurting. i took some alka seltzer plus flu stuff which has been helping some, i think it's starting to kick in so hopefully i'll get some decent sleep now

norm

chiquimonkey wrote:

what had happened to him?

and god i still feel miserable :( this pic sums it up for me. all achy and congested and hurting everywhere. and it's beautiful out too, at least if i was missing work it'd be nice to be out doing something fun. WAAAAAAAAH

my dad would say you feel like a bag of assholes.....been hearing that my whole life and i'm still not sure what it means but it's damned descriptive.....get better chiqui....:D:D

know1

chiquimonkey wrote:

thanks for that marsha! yeah i guess it doesn't hurt to get it, but it sure would be nice to not be afflicted with it now :(

Actually, many people often get "flu-like symptoms" shortly after receiving the shot so it can actually hurt to get it.

inmytree

flu shots are a scam...a cash cow for the big pharma...

I was talked into one once...that year, I got the flu...

I've not had a flu shot since...shazam!! no flu....

go figure...

chiquimonkey

cutback wrote:

my dad would say you feel like a bag of assholes.....been hearing that my whole life and i'm still not sure what it means but it's damned descriptive.....get better chiqui....:D:D

haha that is indeed descriptive, giving me a visual i'd rather not have though lol