<p>I had the flu four or five years ago. Let me describe to those of you who aren’t getting shots what you might be setting yourself up for. Bear in mind, this was a normal case of influenza, and I am a healthy adult.</p>
<p>Fatigue: This is not just a little tiredness. For about five days, I was too tired to watch TV! Yes, opening my eyes and watching some dopey TV program was far too much effort.</p>
<p>Aches and pains: I hurt all over. I felt like I’d been run over by a truck. For days.</p>
<p>High fever: My fever was in the 102-103 range for days. I was slurping down ibuprofen, and every time the ibu would start to wear off, I’d know because my temperature would spike.</p>
<p>Coughing, respiratory stuff: Yeah, that too.</p>
<p>Lingering disease: I didn’t get out of bed for a week. I wasn’t fully well for about six weeks. </p>
<p>If you had some stomach thingy that made you throw up for a day, I’m sorry for you, no one wants that, but that is not influenza. You really, really do not want influenza. Even if you are normal and healthy, like me.</p>
<p>And remember, this was a normal case. I wasn’t unusually affected. If you get the flu, you will be flat on your back, very sick and miserable for a week, and you won’t be yourself for a while afterwards.</p>
<p>I’ve had a cold this last week, the first time I’ve been sick this season. It is such a wonderful contrast to when I got sick in late august/early september and stayed sick all season… I’ll never skip a flu shot again. I am the kind of person that, if I don’t get a flu shot, I WILL get the flu, every year, and very early-- and it will wipe out my immune system and then I will catch every bug that comes through for the rest of the year, feeling sick just about every other week from September until April. No thanks! Never doing that again.</p>
<p>Cardinal Fang- I think for people that don’t usually get sick, not even a cold- when they do get ill, it seems to be something pretty virulent.
I haven’t ever gotten a flu shot, because my mother always did & she became ill anyway, but I probably will this year because of info like above comments and because of studies that indicate other benefits like reducing inflammation that benefits your heart.
[Maria</a> Rodale: 5 Surprising Winter Health Tips](<a href=“HuffPost - Breaking News, U.S. and World News | HuffPost”>5 Surprising Winter Health Tips | HuffPost Life)</p>
<p>Cardinal Fang: I had the same thing the last time (and it will be the absolute last time!!) I had the flu, back when I was a young whippersnapper of 30 years old. It is not for the weak, not at all.</p>
<p>Many years ago I was a pharmaceutical rep, of one of two companies who manufactured flu vaccine - ER Squibb.
And, it may be possible your mother got ill, because the “predicted” strain does not always match the one that eventually makes it way to our soil. </p>
<p>The fact that this year’s is a match, might be the year to consider for yourself.
The previous post about flying on a plane and everyone sick, has me convinced this flu will spread after the holidays. </p>
<p>These testimonies from flu sufferers make me SO VERY HAPPY I overcame needle issues yesterday.</p>
<p>OK!!! Went to Walgreens, got my flu shot. Insurance covered it so I paid -0-, didn’t feel a thing, but I screamed anyway (for effect). Thanks for the push.</p>
<p>It is not the flu yet. There is a terrible cold going around the country that puts a huge strain on the immune system, in my personal experience with this thing. Nasty, nasty, nasty!</p>
<p>I’ve never gotten the flu shot. I have gotten the flu and handled it without too many problems or complaints. This time, though, I feel like I’m dying. I’ve been VERY sick for nearly three weeks, and the sad thing is that I don’t even feel like I’m on the brink of recovery. High fever (102-103) for six days straight and low-grade fever on the other days. I’m still stuck on the couch, and trying to take a shower knocks me right out. My husband took me to the doctor the other day to make sure I hadn’t developed a secondary (ear or sinus) infection. Nope, they said it’s just this nasty, nasty flu virus.</p>
<p>I’ve never had much of an opinion about the flu shot one way or the other, but this year I would advise people to get it if it will help them avoid this.</p>
<p>I dont have a problem with needles, ( I recently had a Synvisc injection into my knee capsule without blinkng), but I hate waiting in line!
Ill see if I can combine it with a dr visit.</p>
<p>And since some of you are familiar with communicable diseases- I’ll ask, whats the feeling on HIV testing? I think the CDC is now saying everyone should be tested at least once?</p>
<p>I have been getting flu shots annually since 2000, when I was diagnosed with a serious, progressive medical condition. Have never had side effects and also have docs who will get me Tamiflu at 1st signs that the shot didn’t protect me adequately from a viral bug. Have fortunately not suffered the full ravages of the flu ever.</p>
<p>H gets the flu shot regularly. I tend to get it at my doc’s office and am generally the first in his practice to get it every year (he has me come in for a physical or recheck aroudn the time they get the vaccine). Our kids used to get it but it made they VERY ILL (like for weeks to month or longer) each time they got a flu shot or even a half-dose flu shot. We all (including the doc) decided they’re better off NOT getting the flu shot & taking their chances.</p>
<p>I got my flu shot at Rite Aid, a drugstore. It was something like 25 or 30 bucks. It would’ve been free at my doctors’ office, but I know how I procrastinate, so when Fang Jr and I were out getting groceries and we passed the drugstore, we went in for the shot. Better 30 extra bucks than a case of the flu because we hadn’t gotten around to getting the shot. No waiting, we were in and out in a few minutes.</p>
<p>The needle they use for the flu shot is so small you can’t feel it at all. I’m not a fan of needles, I put up with them because I have to, but the flu shot is nothing!!</p>
<p>Obviously there are people for medical reasons that cannot get a flu shot, which is all the more reason for those that can to get a shot. People with compromised immune systems, on chemo or whatever are one example.</p>
<p>I’ve had the flu vaccination every year since 1992 and knock wood, I’ve never had the flu since I started. Two years ago I got the nasal spray just to give it a try.</p>
<p>If you don’t want to have to pay for the shot & have insurance, you can check to see if it’s free at your various pharmacies. It is at most places around here but last I heard Walgreen’s WAS charging a co-pay but none of the other pharmacies. In the past, from time to time one of us has gotten the flu vaccine and/or shingles vaccine at a pharmacy instead of the doc’s office. Whatever is most convenient works well for us. Have never had to pay a co-pay for flu shots, but have had to pay for shingles since I was <60.</p>
<p>My shot was free at cvs. It did pinch going in - the tech apologized and said my skin is “tough.” Really, tough skin on my upper arm? I had just come from a workout and my biceps are pretty ripped, at least I like to think so.</p>
<p>I’m sending get well wishes, fosterte. So very sorry you are sick. </p>
<p>I do have a compromised immune system due to my BC and meds I’m taking for it, but my onc said to get the shot anyway. It’s not a live vaccine and it’s worth whatever small side effects I might experience to avoid what fosterte is going through.</p>
<p>I’m glad you got yours, NJres! May we all have a healthy holiday!</p>
So very sorry you are sick. </p>