Quote:
Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby
The good news, is that if you get the flu shot and you end up with one of the other strains of flu that the shot doesn't protect against, you will most likely get a much milder episode than if you hadn't been vaccinated at all.
Also, it's important to understand that the flu can take a couple of weeks in the system before it shows any symptoms. So if you got the flu VERY recently, you might already be infected - and then the shot won't prevent you from getting sick. It'll reduce the symptoms but that's about it.
The flu vaccine is not a treatment for the flu. It's a preventative - meaning, you have to not already be infected, if you want the vaccine to prevent you from being infected!
Tamiflu is an option to treat the flu if you already have it, but it comes with potentially bad side effects. So it's very important to be honest with the doctor about your overall health, current meds, etc. and not just walk in there with the expectation that he'll automatically write up a prescription for it.
I was vaccinated this year in mid-September. I'm on the younger side of "senior" and I'm fairly active and try to eat well (at least a few days a week, heh). So far I have a little bit of scratchiness in my chest, I have a morning cough, and I sneezed a few times today already (and it's only 8 am). I don't anticipate being sick, this is just how I usually am in the winter and I'm guessing my body doesn't realize it's in florida now and doesn't have to show off this year  |
"The good news, is that if you get the flu shot and you end up with one of the other strains of flu that the shot doesn't protect against, you will most likely get a much milder episode than if you hadn't been vaccinated at all."
Depends. Maybe, maybe not
"Also, it's important to understand that the flu can take a couple of weeks in the system before it shows any symptoms. So if you got the flu VERY recently, you might already be infected - and then the shot won't prevent you from getting sick. It'll reduce the symptoms but that's about it."
Yes, first part, maybe, second part
"Tamiflu is an option to treat the flu if you already have it, but it comes with potentially bad side effects. So it's very important to be honest with the doctor about your overall health, current meds, etc. and not just walk in there with the expectation that he'll automatically write up a prescription for it."
Must be started within 48-72 hours after onset of symptoms, or used prophylactically if documented influenza A is present in the household