Flu shot discussion

[Elyssa]

My husband and I got flu shots back in October. He had a little soreness on his arm for a couple hours and was fine after that.

 

I, on the other hand, was not so lucky. The injection site became increasingly inflammated over the course of the next 12 hours to the point it looked like a huge five-inch diameter hive raised about half an inch off my arm and hurt/itched pretty badly. That night after the shot I had some serious chest pains and began feeling an odd and very persistent tingling sensation on my arm, calves and side of my face.

 

I visited the pharmacy the next morning looking for a quick assessment of how serious the problem was and the pharmaceutic confirmed it was a fairly serious allergic reaction and suggested some antihistamine pills to make the effects go away. Even taking the pills, the symptoms lasted almost a week. The tingling took almost two weeks to disappear completely.

 

It's worth noting that I have no other allergies and I have had flu shots in the past before moving to the US, but for some reason, my body and the American flu shot didn't get along.

 

From what I've read after my experience it is pretty common for people to develop allergic reactions to this shot so I would suggest unless you're a high-risk person (such as an elder person, pregnant woman or teacher), to avoid the shot unless you've had it before and know your body is not going to have a bad reaction to it.

 

As for getting the actual flu from the shot, I didn't. Small boon I suppose.

 

-E

[Cinabon]

I have gotten a flu shot for at least 3 years now. Because of my age my first year since the Dr didnt have any I had some trouble and had to proceduce a Dr's not for the need.

 

I have gotten sick even getting the flu shot. But I feel that when I did get sick A) it was that bad. and B) the timeframe was much less.

 

I think if you can getting a flu shot is well worth it.

[riley]

I am an RN, have never had one and will not allow anyone in my family to have one. The reason you hear so many people say they got the flu shot and still got sick is because the CDC just TRIES to predict which flu strain will be prevalent that year. So you can get the shot and still get a different strain. Also the "flu deaths" reported by the CDC is highly over estimated since they also inlude pneumonia deaths. Not to mention flu shots still contain mercury which is what has been removed from most children's vaccines because of the toxicity.

[whichwayisup]

I agree with you Riley...I just saw something on the news about the mercury in the flu shots.

 

If people took the time to wash their hands properly, stayed home when sick, and just used common sense, alot of these superbugs and other colds/flu's wouldn't be rampid. (is that a word?? lol) Well, that and over suscribing antibotics. I know some Dr's do hand out pills like candy to make their patients happy.

[Tony T]

Would like to know your thoughts on the Flu Shot?

 

Are you getting one this year?

 

If you've had a flu shot before, have you ever been ill afterwards (talking within a day or so after having the shot), and if you have been ill, how long did the illness last?

 

My husband had a Dr appointment today, his Dr told him he HAD to have the shot, even though he's never had one before. Anyway, I told him earlier, just be prepared to have flu symptoms soon...Everyone I know who's had the flu shot has come down with fever, shakes and felt just awful.

 

So, what I don't understand is, "they" say you CANNOT get the flu from the flu shot as it's a dead virus, WHY is it that so many get sick afterwards??

 

It's all in the head. If you tell yourself you're going to get sick, you will. Most illness is caused by the belief that it exists. Flu shots very rarely cause harm to anyone and the good outweighs the bad. Many of the above statements are very true. Getting the flu shot doesn't absolutely guarantee you won't get the flu but it lowers the odds considerably.

[climbergirl]

I am an RN, have never had one and will not allow anyone in my family to have one. The reason you hear so many people say they got the flu shot and still got sick is because the CDC just TRIES to predict which flu strain will be prevalent that year. So you can get the shot and still get a different strain. Also the "flu deaths" reported by the CDC is highly over estimated since they also inlude pneumonia deaths. Not to mention flu shots still contain mercury which is what has been removed from most children's vaccines because of the toxicity.

 

 

I'm not an RN, but I agree with the above. My 4 year old does get the shot, but mainly because I think that at that age they are more susceptible to viruses because they are more apt to touch their noses, eyes and mouths w/o practicing good hygiene.

 

Antibacterial soap isn't any more helpful than a good soap/water hand washing. In fact, it can cause more harm than good.

[whichwayisup]

There are other ways too, organic and safer ways of preventing the flu. Not sure what it is, I'll have to ask my sister, but she has a naturalpathic dr who is very helpful.