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Journal btlzu2's Journal: flu shots? 24

Journal by btlzu2

hey y'all. any advice out there regarding flu shots?

I've never had one in my life. I usually get a cold every year or so, but never really bad flus. I read in a snippet in Scientific American that getting flu shots may help slow the spread of the bird flu. They didn't back up this claim (or I haven't gotten to it yet), but the only thing I can think of is by keeping people stronger and not getting sick with the other flu strains, they'll be better able to fight the bird flu when it comes along full force.

So, I'm thinking of getting a flu shot primarily if it helps all of us in a small way. I'm just not convinced that it does what they claim.

I also wonder, though, if it's a *bad* idea to get flu shots for similar reasons regarding the overuse of antibiotics. The however many thousands/millions of inappropriate prescriptions for antibiotics is creating medicine resistant bacteria--could this happen with flu strains?

Anyone have any intelligent information on this? Thanks!

This discussion was created by btlzu2 (99039) for Friends and Friends of Friends only, but now has been archived. No new comments can be posted.

flu shots? More

flu shots?

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  • PUSSIES GET FLU SHOTS!

    Real manly men sneeze on fellow commuters and puke into their coffee cups.

    You sicken me with your healthy zeal!
  • Absolutely get your flu shot, although I should say that those pneumatic guns suck. I donate blood regularly and needles don't bother me in terms of concept or pain, but those damn pneumatic guns hurt! .

    • It seems to me that self-quarantine is a better alternative to flu shots, especially in light of Exxon-Mobil workers recieving shots of an unknown solution * [yahoo.com] instead of their flu vaccine. I'd rather take my chances with a known-entity, than end up a test subject for OPEC. (Mostly tongue in cheek)

      [*] According to the link, preliminary tests show it to be water, but who knows.
  • First off, I don't think that this years flu shots will combat the avianflu. It take 9 months to make the vaccines in bulk, and it's usually a combination of the 2-3 strains that the "experts" believe will be the most common. So whatever they thought was going to hit 9 months ago, is going to be what you get.

    As for the vaccine creating super flu someday, i don't think that that's likely. The vaccine merely helps your body learn how to defeat the flu strain itself, so you're training your natural bodies

    • Pretty much the same houghts here, I'd also add the generic "flu is a virus, comparing it to bacterial infections is like comparing apples and windows".
      • a.) antibiotics DON'T HELP AGAINST VIRUSES.

        Say it with me, kids.

        Antibiotics are for bacterial infections. Staph, some kinds of pneumonia, other types of bacterial infection, may all end up antibiotic resistance. ALl influenza laughs at antibiotics. Tamiflu is an antiviral, and yes, resistance is an issue, but antibiotics are a red herring.

        b.) All forms of influenza immunity have the potential to boost your immunity to other forms of influenza. BUt there's no guarantee. You may just come down with a weaker v
  • How about a friendly "Don't Panic"? Noone knows for certain if it's going to create a pandemic, but one thing is for sure: a mass hysteria is better to avoid.
  • Comment removed based on user account deletion
  • Flus are viral. Antibiotics are for *bacterial* infections. Two completely different animals.

    I skimmed above and saw people say wash your hands -- did anyone mention staying hydrated? Well-moisturized mucous membranes are an excellent defense. Saline nasal spray, if you can't drink enough water, and just flat-out don't rub your nose or eyes with your bare hands.

    I've never gotten a flu shot, and won't. Keep that oscillo stuff around. That's all you need.

    ....Bethanie....
    • nice. ;) i know bacteria is different than virii! i'm just wondering if we'll find some day there's a similar effect to using flu vaccines--somehow they become more robust since our bodies are better at fighting them off....

      i drink lots of water though, constantly, so that'll help. i'm not so much worried about me getting it as somehow contributing to defeating the various flu strains. the article i read suggested that this is the case--if more people would get vaccinations, the various influenza strains
  • hey y'all. any advice out there regarding flu shots?

    Yep [cdc.gov].

    I've never had one in my life. I usually get a cold every year or so, but never really bad flus. I read in a snippet in Scientific American that getting flu shots may help slow the spread of the bird flu. They didn't back up this claim (or I haven't gotten to it yet), but the only thing I can think of is by keeping people stronger and not getting sick with the other flu strains, they'll be better able to fight the bird flu when it comes along full forc
    • Thanks! The reason why I wrote this JE is because the CDC site was PISSING ME OFF today. It kept timing out on me whenever I was getting near information relevant to my questions.

      Anyway, the things you've said (and my further investigation) does help confirm what I'm thinking about.
    • So what is the flu, exactly? I'm beginning to think that what we called the flu when I was a kid isn't really the flu, because I had what we called the flu back in the day, and it sure beat being stuck with a needle.

      And if it isn't the flu...what do you call that thing where you're all achy with the chills and fever and vomiting and can't really move because you're too weak? Whatever that is...I'd have it 10 times over just to not face an injection.
      • Sweetie, they make FluMist for wimps like you. Its a vaccine and nasal spray in one! I'm getting my shot tomorrow. Although I am on the official special populations priority list because of my job... I'm so special.

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