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| Picture lifted from WiseQuacks: Doctors without Boredom |
I also learned from the link under the picture that people who get a flu shot are at lower risk for stroke, too. It's been quite a long time since I've had the flu, but I well remember the last time. I was home from work for at least a week, and I was a lot younger then. I'll do what I can to avoid the flu, including washing my hands often and getting that annual shot.
Because of my age, the pharmacist wanted to give me the double dose that people over 65 are eligible for, but I declined it. He said it's because as we age our immune systems get weaker, so they give a larger dose to the elderly. Frankly, that seems a little strange to me, since everything else gets weaker, too, and forcing our body to mount a response to the shot might affect other systems negatively. Anyway, I got the regular dose and wonder if I did the right thing. Smart Guy got the high dose shot.
I know some people never get flu shots and don't seem to get sick, but I've got very strong memories of the last time I got it, and I really don't want it again. What do you think?
:-)
When I get sick, I get really ill for a couple of days at least. It is kind of scary, so I get a flu shot every year. Don't know about the double dose - won't have to make that decision for another year. Something to think about.
ReplyDeleteI agree....I'm glad you opted out for the double dose of the flu vaccine.
ReplyDeleteI do have the shot, but would try and avoid the double dose.
ReplyDeleteStay well. And happy.
well, i hope your regular dose does the trick and you don't get it at all.
ReplyDeleteI'm not going to get the double dose (DD) either. I always have a reaction for a few days with the single dose, so it doesn't seem like a DD would be a good idea.
ReplyDeleteI have never had the flu shot, ever. Never got the flu, either.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I had the shingles vaccine last year, and the Hepatitis A and B vaccines prior to my trip to India in 2012.
i did not get it this year and have not the last couple years actually...when i used to work in counseling i got it all the time...we were required...
ReplyDeleteMy current company offers free flu shots every year and every year I get one. I remember all to well being down for the count with the flu for two weeks (with a toddler that also had it).
ReplyDeleteGot both flu and pneuvax last week too. I think all seven are good but the last one about Eleanor is very special....:)
ReplyDeleteGood for you, we will get ours soon it is on the calendar. I just recently heard about the extra dose shot...I am not old enough just yest...but I teased my elderly husband that perhaps he should get it since he is almost 65:)
ReplyDeleteI get a flu shot. Here large clinics are held in large halls. 20 or so nurses administer shots. It's a big operation done by our health care.
ReplyDeleteHmmm... interesting. One of my Zumba buddies said that Longs Drugs (CVS) was giving flu shots for free (with your medical card) with a stronger dose for seniors. However, when I went to Tripler, the corpsman said they only give the regular dose so that's what I got.
ReplyDeleteI didn't feel a thing when he gave the shot, but my arm muscles ached for a couple of days after.
I'll keep my fingers crossed for both of us.
I'm with you D'Jan...getting my flu shot this week!
ReplyDeleteI have very strong memories of the last time I got sick too. I was still teaching and I missed about a week, supplying lesson plans from home. I went back to work, but i did not get over one complication after another for three months. It was bad!
ReplyDeleteWe got out flu shots this morning, and we both have sore arms this evening. My nurse grimaced and said" Oh no, you're going to have a bruise". She said it was her first bruise today. I said it was OK, but she disagreed. "It isn't perfect," she said. I laughed and said I recognized that character trait. It isn't a blessing.
I haven't decided if I'm going to get one this year or not. It's been almost ten years since I had the flu but I still remember it well.
ReplyDeleteI have become somewhat obsessive about cleaning the handles of shopping carts when I go into a store. I started doing this last fall and did not get a cold like a normally do in the winter.
I've never had a flu shot. My understanding is that the shot may not cover the strain of flu for any particular season.
ReplyDeleteGood for you. It only took having the flu once for me to get wise. I was out of work for 10 days and got so sick that I also developed viral meningitis on top of the flu for another 10 days. It's the sickest I've ever been. With yearly flu shots I've not had it since.
ReplyDeleteI'll get a flu shot, and one for pneumonia, and one for shingles too!
ReplyDeleteI'll get a flu shot, and one for pneumonia, and one for shingles too!
ReplyDeleteI got one shot and broke out in shingles and it wasn't just me. According to studies many people had this happen - in fact thousands. It weakened my immune system so much that I never got another one. I eat healthy and eat lots of foods with high antioxidants and that keeps me healthy. Many seniors do not eat as healthy as they used to, so their immune system suffers. I would think a double dose would kill me and there are people that are just allergic to it. I never ever had the flu, rarely get a cold and the one flu shot I received certainly changed all that. No more flu shots for me and I have been healthly ever since for 7 years now. My Doctor advised me not to get the shot. Many get the shot and nothing happens and also many get the shot and get sick anyway soon after. For people like me, eat healthy, build up your immune system, and for lords sake wash your hands. Its like my Mum used to say. "When out in large crowds or school, keep yer hands away from your mouth, nose and eyes and for goodness sake, wash your hands".
ReplyDeleteI have had the kind of flu the shot immunizes against and I prefer the shot! I missed 10 days of work and had no energy for weeks after. It was horrible. I also take care of my young grandsons often, and they are exposed to everything.
ReplyDeleteI am otherwise healthy, do eat very well and exercise, so I think I will not get a double dose.
I never get the flu shot. Well, I did get it once over a decade ago and still got the flu, anyways. I've rarely been sick--but then I've hardly ever left home for the last nine years. I'll see how this winter goes with being around a baby and being out and about a little, now. As it is, I feel like I have the flu every single day of my life, to be honest. The ache-all-over your body and the feeling drained like you could just crawl back in bed at any given moment...that's every day for me--LOL! But I know a lot of people who faithfully get their flu shot and swear by them.
ReplyDeleteI've only gotten the flu once and it was years ago but it was quite memorable.
ReplyDeleteI only had one flu shot, also years ago, and I had a flu like reaction to it so I haven't ever gotten another. It is a crap shoot I know but I do take that chance.
I am pretty religious about clean hands and hope for the best.
Like you, I don't understand the logic behind the double dose for the elderly.
It does make sense double dose for hubby and single dose for a petite woman. That is if one takes the flu shot.
ReplyDeleteSaucy Kods is right. Some died of flu shot. My 68 year old former coworker Tom died of flu shot 3-4 years ago....Tom was healthy, didn't take any medicine. Tom's cubicle was < 20 steps from mine.
ReplyDeleteHilarious picture! Haven't gotten mine yet, but this will get me moving on it. Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteI clicked on the link you provided for those doctors and nearly forgot to come back! Fun page.
ReplyDeleteI have only had a flu shot once. I have only had the flu once. It was the same year. I'm not blaming the shot.. but neither am I inclined to think I need it just yet. I think it's good for someone who is compromised health-wise and who is in a business which exposes them to a lot of potential germs. I may get talked into it at some point but I don't think this is that time just yet. As for the double dose, I think your reasoning is very logical.
I’m one of those who opt out of getting a flu shot every year, and I still have not gotten the flu yet. I do consider myself a healthy and self-disciplined man, so that might have something to do with it. I am not against it though, so if the flu shot works for you, than go for it.
ReplyDelete