FluShots

[SoonerTexan]

Curious--are they thinking this strain causes the cytokine storm similar to the 1918 virus?

[radwife]

Neither DH nor I have ever gotten the flu shot. We haven't gotten the full blown ever either, but we're thinking about getting the flu shot this year though.

DH is afraid to get the H1N1 flu shot after what happened in the 70's when some people got Guillain-Barre syndrome. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swine_influenza

[Thirteen]

I'm a total needle-phobe and have never had a flu shot. I'm considering it this year.

I've never had a flu shot either, because I never get the flu and I didn't see the point of running to the doctor for every stinkin' thing I could be injected with that could possibly make me sick.
Now that I'm married to DH, he's pretty much going to drag me kicking and screaming for shots. *sigh*

I too am a college (grad) student, and see it being a real problem amongst the undergrads this year. We already had a confirmed case last semester, and you know things are just going to get worse in the winter... :/

[MrsK]

I've never had a flu shot either, because I never get the flu and I didn't see the point of running to the doctor for every stinkin' thing I could be injected with that could possibly make me sick.

If you'd ever had the flu, you'd be running to the doctor for the stinkin' shot every year. I had it once about 12 years ago. I had a fever of 104, could barely stand up for weeks, and it took me months to recover.

[Thirteen]

If you'd ever had the flu, you'd be running to the doctor for the stinkin' shot every year. I had it once about 12 years ago. I had a fever of 104, could barely stand up for weeks, and it took me months to recover.

Probably should've clarified
My mom was of the strong opinion that sometimes we take things to the extreme in medicine, and didn't feel the need to have us do that as children. As a DW, yes, I absolutely should (unless I want everything known to man coming into my house). And even then, as you all know, you can still get sick. Nevertheless, I will be receiving my very first flu vax this year (although, I'm still kind of wary of the whole thing).

I've taken care of 2 friends in college who got the flu and there's no way I'd wish that on anyone. They looked miserable I'm sorry you went through that experience MrsK!! I would've taken care of you

[DCJenn]

From what I've read about H1N1 is that unlike the 1918 pandemic, as this one mutates, it's not getting stronger, it's just kind of coasting along.

The problem is that none of us have any kind of immunity to it so we're all susceptible. IT appears to have a much bigger impact on pregnant women and kids. (not infants or toddlers but kids). Oh, and people with underlying health concerns like diabetes or blood disorders.

I'll get it because the methadone clinic is already a teeming cess pool of germs. We keep hand sanitizer out everywhere as a matter of course, let along during flu season. (although, there's much nastier stuff floating around than the flu. I work at an ID docs dream location)

Jenn

[Rapunzel]

I had the flu last year (first time in many years that I skipped getting a flu shot that season). It was around the middle of January that I started showing symptoms. I was pregnant at the time. I lost the baby after my fever topped out at 103. The pregnancy was unexpected (only unplanned one we've had), but losing it was awful. And, it literally took me weeks to recover from the flu alone (the miscarriage and subsequent infection took a few more additional weeks out of my life).

Anyway...

You can bet I'll be getting my flu shot from now on.

[SoonerTexan]

Oh, Rapunzel, that is horrible. I'm sorry

Curious--are they thinking this strain causes the cytokine storm similar to the 1918 virus?

That's the concern but as far as I can tell there's no hard evidence yet.

According to Wikipedia: CDC states that there is "insufficient information to date about clinical complications of this variant of swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus infection."[9]

Apparently the logic is:

o The 1918 virus was H1N1
o The 1918 virus caused a cytokine storm
o This virus is H1N1
==>>>
"Better safe than sorry"

Anyway, we'll probably get it in November, which is when it is scheduled for availability in Canada. Unless we're eligible earlier as the family of a (proto-)health care provider.

As long as there is parental consent, our school system provides the flu-mist free of charge at school for all kids. I am supplemental staff at a hospital system so I took mine last Friday. DH has all ready taken his through work as well. Not sure about H1N1; I have a sick kid at home now with high fevers, sore throat, headaches and suspect she may have it now. The vaccine may be a moot point for us by the time it is available in October.

[ladymoreta]

I just got my flu shot at the doctor today. I asked him about the H1N1 one, and he said that he'd prefer for it to have more testing, but that he highly recommended it because the risk of not getting it was greater for pregnant women. So I'll definitely be getting it when it comes out.

ive never gotten a flu shot... as i get older i wonder if i should start getting them though?

I got my first ever flu shot yesterday while at the supermarket! My concern this year is that I am around kids more and DH would not be available to watch DS if I got sick.

[MrsK]

Now I'm really confused about H1N1. DrK went to a seminar where they told him definatively that all pregnant women should be vaccinated for H1N1. They said that it was a dead vaccine and may be administered in two injections.

Then my brother called the other day and said that he was told the H1N1 vaccine was a live vaccine that will be administered nasaly. He agreed that it was recommended for pregnant women but had reservations about administering a live vaccine to pregnant women. Now I don't know what to do.

In the meanwhile, both of them are telling me to get the seasonal flu shot at walgreens ASAP regardless of my OB's advise. *sigh*

DH and I get our shots at his clinic, and the kids get theirs at the pediatrician's office. It's definitely worth it - I do not want to deal with three kids with the flu all at once, or in series for that matter, which would probably be worse.