RicoN said:

RicoN said:

I just don't trust them at all. don't want my kids taking them either. we were talking herd immunity or whatever and the eradication of flu then I would, but it's nothing like that. it just making some people a lot of money. is there any unequivocal evidence that they work?

I haven't had the flu in over 20 years - since I started getting the vaccine. That's unequivocal enough for me.

Hell no! I don't do flu shots. I rely on natural flu preventions such as sliver solution & oil of organo.

Genesia said:

I've gotten one every year for at least 20 years. I have had two bouts with Type A influenza in my life - and that was two too many. Flu is nothing to sneeze at. (Sorry.)
ing.
Plus, I just know that if I don't get the vaccine, I'll come down with the flu at the exact moment that I'm going on vacation or getting ready to open in a play. I do not need to get stranded somewhere or try to go onstage with a fever of 103º. (Which is about what my fever runs when I have the flu.)

My fever went to 105, which is why I thought I was dying. I had a basin of ice water in which I would dampen a washcloth to put on my forehead. Within two minutes, that cloth would be warm. The body aches were murder. I could barely move without pain wracking my entire body.

I get them almost every year and have for 25+ years. One of the things obamacare did (which is diving up the cost of insurance) is flu shots (and other immunizations) are now covered. So this year I got Flu and Hep A and Hep B.

but one good way to avoid it is not touching your face. you are more likely to get flu virus on your hand and then rubbing in into your own eyes thus infecting yourself.

robertlove said:

yes for the first time...i'm hardly ever sick but strangly enough this year i got the flu twice

really? the same strain? or did they say? (or are you just assuming you had the flu?)

I know someone that got the flu and was put on Tamiflu and then got the flu again and their insurance refused to fill it. But it turns out that the doctor just ignored that she had two types of the flu.... one of which was Swine flu N1H1 and did not think it was a big enough deal to tell them!

aardvark15 said:

I was allergic to them until a few years ago. I see no reason to get it if the virus changes in a year unless it's a situation like H1N1

the reason they give then every year is becasue they change. And the first year N1H1 was a big deal there was no shot for it. (see above: a kid I know got it.)

Shyra said:

I got one last year on the advice of my doctor, but I usually don't bother. I don't work anymore so I don't come in contact with folk daily, so my risk is kind of low. For years, even when I was working, I didn't get the shot and didn't get the flu. I can remember the first time I got the flu, and I thought I was going to freakin die. I'd never been so sick, and I can't remember getting that sick again. Maybe after that first bout I became immune. I don't even get colds anymore. I honestly cannot remember the last time I had a cold. I guess I have a pretty strong immune system. I think the best prevention to getting sick is to WASH YOUR HANDS frequently and DON'T HANDLE DOOR KNOBS WITH YOUR BARE HANDS, use a paper towel or tissue to open public doors. I never use my bare hands to open doors used by the general public.

[Edited 9/30/13 10:56am]

OMG!!! i thought i was the only freak like us. i slide my sleeve way down over my hand, surreptitiously open the door using my sleeve without a tissue so no one can tell i'm a germaphobe.

*

especially at the doctor's office. don't touch those magazines! when they hand you that pen for your insurance information refuse and use your own pen! not only will you be touching something hundreds of other people touch during the day, they are all at the clinic because they are sick!!

*

and ATMs. don't even get me started. and cash money? super gross.

one more thought:

do you think that an annual flu shot will soon be required* for at lest children attending public like other immunizations are? (if it is covered and if we are forced to have insurance then there is no reason (see below) to not get one.

*Note: some states allow the parents to file for a philosophical exemption for any/all immunizations. I helped a woman get it for her kids. It is hassle (about what it would take to get the shots) but it is an option.

XxAxX said:

Shyra said:

I got one last year on the advice of my doctor, but I usually don't bother. I don't work anymore so I don't come in contact with folk daily, so my risk is kind of low. For years, even when I was working, I didn't get the shot and didn't get the flu. I can remember the first time I got the flu, and I thought I was going to freakin die. I'd never been so sick, and I can't remember getting that sick again. Maybe after that first bout I became immune. I don't even get colds anymore. I honestly cannot remember the last time I had a cold. I guess I have a pretty strong immune system. I think the best prevention to getting sick is to WASH YOUR HANDS frequently and DON'T HANDLE DOOR KNOBS WITH YOUR BARE HANDS, use a paper towel or tissue to open public doors. I never use my bare hands to open doors used by the general public.

[Edited 9/30/13 10:56am]

OMG!!! i thought i was the only freak like us. i slide my sleeve way down over my hand, surreptitiously open the door using my sleeve without a tissue so no one can tell i'm a germaphobe.

*

especially at the doctor's office. don't touch those magazines! when they hand you that pen for your insurance information refuse and use your own pen! not only will you be touching something hundreds of other people touch during the day, they are all at the clinic because they are sick!!

*

and ATMs. don't even get me started. and cash money? super gross.

I have a habit of not touching my face unless i have just washed and used that sanitizer. I will also rub the sanitizer on the push pump thing and then over my mouth, nose, and around my eyes... *stings a bit*

I also leave a little soap reissue on my hands...

^ gas pumps and restaurant countertops and cash registers plus, (and this might just fall into the category of sharing too much) but i never touch anything directly in a public restroom. no way. no how.

edit: except for the tissue, door handle, soap dispenser, faucet handle and towel. it's hard to not touch anything at all. i use the paper towel to open the door and exit the restroom. i wonder if i'm officially phobic?

[Edited 10/6/13 8:45am]

XxAxX said:

^ gas pumps and restaurant countertops and cash registers plus, (and this might just fall into the category of sharing too much) but i never touch anything directly in a public restroom. no way. no how.

edit: except for the tissue, door handle, soap dispenser, faucet handle and towel. it's hard to not touch anything at all. i use the paper towel to open the door and exit the restroom. i wonder if i'm officially phobic?

[Edited 10/6/13 8:45am]

I use my foot to flush a public toilet or my elbow for the urinal.

If I can't use a towel to open the door on the way out, I use my shirt. Seen too many nasty-ass guys exit the toilet stall and head straight out without washing their hands.

I never used to get them, and was doing fine, but the hospital where I work has made them madatory for everyone now (even those of us with no patient contact).

While, I'm not a fan of being forced to get it now, I'm not actively protesting either.

PurpleJedi said:

XxAxX said:

^ gas pumps and restaurant countertops and cash registers plus, (and this might just fall into the category of sharing too much) but i never touch anything directly in a public restroom. no way. no how.

edit: except for the tissue, door handle, soap dispenser, faucet handle and towel. it's hard to not touch anything at all. i use the paper towel to open the door and exit the restroom. i wonder if i'm officially phobic?

[Edited 10/6/13 8:45am]

I use my foot to flush a public toilet or my elbow for the urinal.

If I can't use a towel to open the door on the way out, I use my shirt. Seen too many nasty-ass guys exit the toilet stall and head straight out without washing their hands.