Flu shot: To encourage it or not

[Villages PL]

I got my flu shot but I'm not sure it's a good idea for me to encourage others to get one. By now everyone knows that flu shots are available and it's a personal decision.

We are told how many people die each year from the flu. It's a lot of people and everyone knows that by now. We know that a lot of the people are elderly and/or have weakened immune systems. But we don't know exactly what the health status is of everyone who dies from the flu.

Of those who have died, how many were in advanced stages of Alzheimer's, vascular dementia, Parkinson's, pneumonia, cancer, heart disease, liver disease, lung disease, kidney disease, among many other conditions too numerous to mention?

Who's to say what's worse, dying of the flu or one of the above diseases? What if you save someone from dying of the flu, only to have them die of something far worse in the near future? What would you have accomplished?

[billethkid]

of course you should encourage friends and family and strangers to get it.
Would you not encourage them to take precautions to not get ebola? Of course you would.

....ebola deaths in last 12 months in the USA....1
....flu deaths in the last 12 months in the USA 25,000

Not a big decision!!

[rubicon]

Of late flue shots are beginning to have an adverse effect.

Two years ago I agreed to the high dosage and ended up in the ER with the ER nurse explaining I wasn't the only one having an adverse reaction. Last year I had the regular dose and felt sick for the entire day. I am getting gun shy here. I'll try it one more time and if i get sick that's it

[Sandtrap328]

of course you should encourage friends and family and strangers to get it.
Would you not encourage them to take precautions to not get ebola? Of course you would.

....ebola deaths in last 12 months in the USA....1
....flu deaths in the last 12 months in the USA 25,000

Not a big decision!!

You and I agree! Scary?

[Villages PL]

Of late flue shots are beginning to have an adverse effect.

Two years ago I agreed to the high dosage and ended up in the ER with the ER nurse explaining I wasn't the only one having an adverse reaction. Last year I had the regular dose and felt sick for the entire day. I am getting gun shy here. I'll try it one more time and if i get sick that's it

When I went for my flu shot at Walgreens a man waiting in line told me that the high dose could be a problem. He told me how he got sick, so I asked for the regular.

I felt fine for the next few days but eventually came down with a touch of a strange cold I got from someone I had talked to in a public place. There was a man who was suffering from constant coughing. I asked him if he had the flu. He said his doctor told him it was a cold. That reminded me to get a flu shot so I got my flu shot two days later. Within about a week I felt like my throat was getting a little sore but then it went away. It would come and go..... just a hint of it. Then there was one evening when I started coughing a lot. I gargled with salt water and it cleared up.

I think I got off easy because I have a good immune system.

[kittygilchrist]

This is the first time for me to get the shot.
Said I wld get one '"if" I got flu and last year, that bug I had might have been flu.

[patfla06]

I posted previously about why I get the flu shot every year.
When I read the increased risk of heart attack if you get the
flu I was even more detemined to get it.

My Husband chose not to get the high dose and I think he
did the right thing, especially after reading your experience
with it.

Hope everyone stays healthy this Winter.

[Rango]

24,000 people in the US die of the flu each year. Nuff said

[OBXNana]

I am one of those people, like Villages PL that never gets sick. I never got a flu shot until about 9 years ago when our first grandchild was born. I did (and do) it more for the kiddos and for my mother when she was living. I think if I were to skip the flu shot, I wouldn't have a life changing event if I got the flu. Our granddaughter was born in April with a hole in her heart and could have difficulties if I were to get the flu and pass it to her.

It isn't always about the person getting the shot and protecting them. I'd prefer not having the pea size lump in my arm for a week after the shot and do it more for others that may not have the immune system I have.

[2BNTV]

The first time I got a flu shot, Ii got the flu. However, i was able to function as opposed to being horribly sick for a week. A doctor of "infectous diseases" told me, it builds up the immune system.

I would strongly recommend getting the flu shot but there is a minority of people who have difficulties if they get flu shot. One out of thousands, should be the exception and not the rule.

BTW - I have never gotten the flu, after my first year!

[Bonnevie]

I contracted the real flu once. I got it before I could get a shot. It was unlike anything I ever had. It was not a "bad cold". It was not coughing and congestion. It was weakness and fever and inability to do anything. At that time there were no cordless phones and I had to get to another room to call in sick to work. I didn't think I could get out of bed to do it. I had to psych myself up to make the effort. It was horrible. There was no way I could get out of bed for days. And I was in my early 30s then. No way I will ever skip the flu shot.

[Sparty6971]

I will always get the flu shot. Yes, I usually get a slight fever and soreness after getting it; and the high dose hits a little harder. It does NOT prevent you from getting a cold, the sniffles, some congestion, headache, etc. And, it does NOT guarantee that you can't get some version of the flu. But, it will help keep you safe from what types of flu are expected for the year. And the REAL flu is so much worse than what most people think of. Please, everyone. . . If your doctor hasn't told you specifically to not get it, then get up off that couch, get down to CVS, Walgreens, your doctor, any number of places and get the flu shot. If not for you, then for everyone else in the community that you might carry and transmit a flu bug to. Thank you.

[manaboutown]

Got the flu shot a week ago. No problem, no soreness or seemingly any ill effect whatsoever. Better safe than sorry!

[Bonanza]

I got my flu shot but I'm not sure it's a good idea for me to encourage others to get one. By now everyone knows that flu shots are available and it's a personal decision.

We are told how many people die each year from the flu. It's a lot of people and everyone knows that by now. We know that a lot of the people are elderly and/or have weakened immune systems. But we don't know exactly what the health status is of everyone who dies from the flu.

Of those who have died, how many were in advanced stages of Alzheimer's, vascular dementia, Parkinson's, pneumonia, cancer, heart disease, liver disease, lung disease, kidney disease, among many other conditions too numerous to mention?

Who's to say what's worse, dying of the flu or one of the above diseases? What if you save someone from dying of the flu, only to have them die of something far worse in the near future? What would you have accomplished?

Anyone who dies from the flu has no health status.
What difference does it make if people die from the flu and also have other diseases?
I mean really! What difference does it make. Dead is dead.

What a wierd thread you started!

[Cedwards38]

I got my flu shot, just as I have every year for the last 20 years or so. I'm a believer!

[tommy steam]

I contracted the real flu once. I got it before I could get a shot. It was unlike anything I ever had. It was not a "bad cold". It was not coughing and congestion. It was weakness and fever and inability to do anything. At that time there were no cordless phones and I had to get to another room to call in sick to work. I didn't think I could get out of bed to do it. I had to psych myself up to make the effort. It was horrible. There was no way I could get out of bed for days. And I was in my early 30s then. No way I will ever skip the flu shot.

I have been getting the shot since I was in the army in 1965, never a problem. What the poster said above, was exactly what my family doctor told me some years ago.

[DonH57]

I used to have to get one when serving in the air force every year because the shot was mandatory. It would make me ill and at a later point I'd get the flu. I haven't had one since retiring from the service and I haven't had the flu since. I've had an occasional cold or sinus issues.

[Bonnevie]

you might continue to get lucky. but...getting the flu also is related to your immune systems ability to fight off infection. As with everything, that doesn't get better with age. and we are close to influx of families from other parts of the country and children....believe me, if you get the flu, you'll regret not getting the shot. by the way, I went to Walgreen's yesterday in Pinellas and they are out--may not have more until today or monday. I did get one at Winn Dixie. So don't put off going if you want one.

[rp001]

If you believe in the science get the shot. If not, don't. Darwin will figure it out for you.

[CFrance]

I am one of those people, like Villages PL that never gets sick. I never got a flu shot until about 9 years ago when our first grandchild was born. I did (and do) it more for the kiddos and for my mother when she was living. I think if I were to skip the flu shot, I wouldn't have a life changing event if I got the flu. Our granddaughter was born in April with a hole in her heart and could have difficulties if I were to get the flu and pass it to her.

It isn't always about the person getting the shot and protecting them. I'd prefer not having the pea size lump in my arm for a week after the shot and do it more for others that may not have the immune system I have.
You are a good granny!

I never got a flu shot till I got the flu in 1996 and was down for the count for three whole weeks. And I do mean down. For me that was a life-changing event. I've gotten a shot ever since and have been flu-free, knock on wood.

I did have a reaction to the stronger flu shot last year and will not ever get that one again.

[Villages PL]

Anyone who dies from the flu has no health status.
What difference does it make if people die from the flu and also have other diseases?
I mean really! What difference does it make. Dead is dead.

What a wierd thread you started!

Perhaps we are not communicating very well or you are not even trying to consider any of my points be cause you don't like me.

I didn't think I would have to spell it out, but here goes:

Suppose someone has incurable cancer and is in Hospice. Should that person be worried about getting the flu?

Suppose someone has advanced Alzheimer's and no longer knows what's going on and doesn't recognize anyone. Should anyone worry about that person getting the flu?

Suppose someone has congestive heart failure with only a few months to live? Should they worry about getting the flu?

Suppose an 88 year old person is on kidney dialysis and their quality of life is extremely poor. Should they be worried about getting the flu?

Of course the answer can be "yes" or "no" depending on the person. I suppose my point is that we are made to feel frightened every year by the statistics but probably most of the people who died already had one foot on a bannana peel and the other foot with the grim reaper. It may be hard to imagine but some of the elderly have such a poor quality of life that death by flu may be a blessing to them.

I got a flu shot, like most other people, because I don't want to be inconvienced by being sick, not because I'm afraid the flu will kill me. It won't kill me at this stage of my life but there may come a time when I would welcome it. One never knows.

24,000 people die of the flu each year but how many of them who died had any significant quality of life left?

[Sandtrap328]

Probably lots of the 24,000 that died of influenza had a good quality of life before catching the flu. Yes, some were like you say but others were vibrant adults and children. Even an adult or child with a weakened immune system (prime flu death candidate) does not mean they have one foot in the grave and therefore should not have a shot.

I had the high dose shot, took an Advil right away, no reaction whatsoever.

[Barefoot]

\


you might continue to get lucky. but...getting the flu also is related to your immune systems ability to fight off infection. As with everything, that doesn't get better with age. and we are close to influx of families from other parts of the country and children....believe me, if you get the flu, you'll regret not getting the shot.

Bonnevie always offers good advice.


Suppose someone has incurable cancer and is in Hospice. Should that person be worried about getting the flu?
Suppose someone has advanced Alzheimer's and no longer knows what's going on and doesn't recognize anyone. Should anyone worry about that person getting the flu?
Suppose someone has congestive heart failure with only a few months to live? Should they worry about getting the flu?
Suppose an 88 year old person is on kidney dialysis and their quality of life is extremely poor. Should they be worried about getting the flu?

24,000 people die of the flu each year but how many of them who died had any significant quality of life left?

I highly doubt that people who are dying of congestive heart failure or cancer or advanced Alzheimers are considering getting a flu shot.
I don't understand your point.

[Villages PL]

Probably lots of the 24,000 that died of influenza had a good quality of life before catching the flu.

How many are "lots"? I've never known anyone who had a good quality of life and died from the flu. Where are the stories of these people? If they existed, the media would love to tell these stories. But I have yet to read about any such people.

Yes, some were like you say but others were vibrant adults and children. Even an adult or child with a weakened immune system (prime flu death candidate) does not mean they have one foot in the grave and therefore should not have a shot.

You're telling me things as though I said anything about children or vibrant adults. You're changing the subject comlpletely. I talked about the common degenerative diseases of old age. Children don't get old-age degenerative diseases. And I certainly never said that "vibrant" adults shouldn't get a flu shot if they want to. It's up to them, not me.

But, once again, I wonder why there are no stories in the news of "vibrant" adults dying of the flu. And if "lots" of children are dying, why don't they give statistics on that separately? I think it should be obvious that this thread was not intended to cover children.

[Villages PL]

I highly doubt that people who are dying of congestive heart failure or cancer or advanced Alzheimers are considering getting a flu shot.
I don't understand your point.

If you highly doubt it, then you agree with me. My point is that of the 24,000 thousand people who die every year, most of them are like the ones mentioned above with very little quality of life left. (Think nursing homes, assisted living facilities, memory care facilities, hospitals, hospice and people being cared for at home.)

[Barefoot]

...

[graciegirl]

Probably lots of the 24,000 that died of influenza had a good quality of life before catching the flu. Yes, some were like you say but others were vibrant adults and children. Even an adult or child with a weakened immune system (prime flu death candidate) does not mean they have one foot in the grave and therefore should not have a shot.

I had the high dose shot, took an Advil right away, no reaction whatsoever.

Me too. Easy peazy.

[Bonnevie]

per the CDC website:

CDC does not know exactly how many people die from seasonal flu each year. There are several reasons for this. First, states are not required to report individual seasonal flu cases or deaths of people older than 18 years of age to CDC. Second, seasonal influenza is infrequently listed on death certificates of people who die from flu-related complications. Third, many seasonal flu-related deaths occur one or two weeks after a person’s initial infection, either because the person may develop a secondary bacterial co-infection (such as bacterial pneumonia) or because seasonal influenza can aggravate an existing chronic illness (such as congestive heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Also, most people who die from seasonal flu-related complications are not tested for flu, or they seek medical care later in their illness when seasonal influenza can no longer be detected from respiratory samples.

[graciegirl]

If you highly doubt it, then you agree with me. My point is that of the 24,000 thousand people who die every year, most of them are like the ones mentioned above with very little quality of life left. (Think nursing homes, assisted living facilities, memory care facilities, hospitals, hospice and people being cared for at home.)

It would only be a guess on your part.

MANY people have a challenged immune system because they are taking chemo or radiation to fight cancer. They have a very real, intense, involved and vibrant quality of life, although they aren't feeling great at the time. When the chemo and radiation is over, most people are returned to good health once again.

[John_W]

I got my flu shot but I'm not sure it's a good idea for me to encourage others to get one.


Unless you don't mind getting the flu, I would encourage it.

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/0pkZdE1_h8M/hqdefault.jpg

[rubicon]

In 1969 I was at training school in columus contracted the Hong Kong flu and slept in hotel room from Wednesday to sunday with only a glass of orange juice. The doc sent over medication ad so the bell hop was the only person i saw during that time. There was a cartoon depiction showing the hong kong flu bug flipping a person over his shoulder and that's exactly how i felt. Temp was very high and I lost about 12 pounds in those few days.

People who die from flu are vulnerable for any number of reasons and primarily because of a compromised immune system. If I had that hong kong flu today I would probably die

[Villages PL]

It would only be a guess on your part.

That wasn't in my opening post. Someone offered the number of 24,000.

MANY people have a challenged immune system because they are taking chemo or radiation to fight cancer. They have a very real, intense, involved and vibrant quality of life, although they aren't feeling great at the time. When the chemo and radiation is over, most people are returned to good health once again.

Okay, but I wasn't talking about those people was I.

[graciegirl]

The first time I got a flu shot, Ii got the flu. However, i was able to function as opposed to being horribly sick for a week. A doctor of "infectous diseases" told me, it builds up the immune system.

I would strongly recommend getting the flu shot but there is a minority of people who have difficulties if they get flu shot. One out of thousands, should be the exception and not the rule.

BTW - I have never gotten the flu, after my first year!

We G's are very glad. AND we are glad you live here now.

[gamby]

I've been told that the Flu shot is not very effective over 65 years old ??

[graciegirl]

I've been told that the Flu shot is not very effective over 65 years old ??


Nope. Extremely NEEDED over 65. Stronger dose given to folks over 65.

Protect yourself and others who don't get it.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm

[2BNTV]

I've been told that the Flu shot is not very effective over 65 years old ??

I agree to disagree respectfully.

I wouldn't want my last words to be, "I should have gotten the flu shot". :D

And for the shingles and pnuemonia. Uncle got the shingles in his 90's and it was very painful.

[GeoGeo]

I have had the flu several times and it put me in the hospital. No fun. So I always get my flu shot now. This year I had a reaction to it....extreme fatigue for a few days. But I am willing to pay that price because the other alternative (getting the flu) is far, far worse. Plus you are helping protect others. By getting the shot and avoiding the flu you don't have to worry about spreading it to your spouse or others at the doctor's office. I definetly say get it. I don't know about the stronger dose one, though. And you do not get sick from the shot. It is a "dead" virus. You get sick by your body mounting an immune response.

[jblum315]

It's a no-brainer for me. I get the shot because the flu is the most uncomfortable and disabling illness imaginable, plus you expose everybody who gets near you.
They always ask if you had the shot last year and did you have any bad reaction?

[blueash]

I've been told that the Flu shot is not very effective over 65 years old ??


Vaccines for preventing influenza in healthy adults - The Cochrane Library - Demicheli - Wiley Online Library (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD001269.pub5/abstract)
Has the data from Cochrane of the efficacy of flu shots in non-elderly. The estimate is a need to vaccinate about 70 people to prevent one case of laboratory confirmed influenza. (This is before the availability of in office rapid testing).

In a test of high vs low dose in elderly
Efficacy of High-Dose versus Standard-Dose Influenza Vaccine in Older Adults (http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1315727)

Results
15991 got high dose and 228 got lab confirmed flu
15998 got regular dose and 301 got lab confirmed flu
This is a significant difference advantage to high dose.

There was no difference in side effects reported between the groups.

In a study of hospitalized patients, thus more ill, age 50 up
Effectiveness of Seasonal Vaccine in Preventing Confirmed Influenza-Associated Hospitalizations in Community Dwelling Older Adults (http://jid.oxfordjournals.org/content/203/4/500.short)
The efficacy of preventing hospitalization was 61%.

The CDC is very straight forward in its description of the benefits in the elderly:
Vaccine Effectiveness - How Well Does the Flu Vaccine Work? | Seasonal Influenza (Flu) | CDC (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaccineeffect.htm)

I like to compare it to seat belts. Most years you won't get seriously ill with the flu. If you do get flu it will likely be mild, sometimes so mild you don't know you are ill as your immune system just does its job. Some years you will have a mild or moderate illness. Rarely, but it can happen, you will be very seriously ill. You don't know if that year is this year.

Hopefully every day you wear your seat belt. Most days nothing happens. Some days you might hit a pot hole or have a minor fender bender. You didn't need your seat belt to walk away from that. Rarely, or hopefully never, you are in a major accident and the seat belt saves you from death or serious disability. If I told you that the seat belt was only 60% effective in saving you I think you would still want it on. Even if it was only 20%. And of course wearing a seat belt is not completely safe. A few people a year may die because they are wearing a seat belt, car in a lake or on fire and can't escape as quickly. So you balance risk, benefit, cost, time.

[Barefoot]

Plus you are helping protect others. By getting the shot and avoiding the flu you don't have to worry about spreading it to your spouse or others at the doctor's office. I definetly say get it.
Exactly!

[Chi-Town]

I went to get my flu shot at the Walgreens on Parr Dr yesterday. No more high dose and none coming in.

[Villages PL]

Ever notice that most doctors don't recommend for or against getting a flu shot?
My doctor's office offers flu shots but doesn't actively promote them. The only way I found out they were giving flu shots is because a few years ago I call them to ask about it. They said, "yes, would you like to make an appointment to get one?"

So who's promoting flu shots? Mainly the media and businesses like Walgreens, non-medical communities. What does that tell you?

[CFrance]

Ever notice that most doctors don't recommend for or against getting a flu shot?
My doctor's office offers flu shots but doesn't actively promote them. The only way I found out they were giving flu shots is because a few years ago I call them to ask about it. They said, "yes, would you like to make an appointment to get one?"

So who's promoting flu shots? Mainly the media, a non-medical community. What does that tell you?
It tells me that you have a different doctor than we do. Our present and former doctors both promoted the flu shot.

[Barefoot]

Ever notice that most doctors don't recommend for or against getting a flu shot?

:confused: Any doctor or medical clinic of which I'm aware certainly recommends getting a flu shot, especially for anyone over the age of 60.

[Villages PL]

:confused: Any doctor or medical clinic of which I'm aware certainly recommends getting a flu shot, especially for anyone over the age of 60.

Don't assume it just because your doctor's office offers flu shots. Did your doctor specifically urge (or promote) you to get a flu shot?

[Villages PL]

It tells me that you have a different doctor than we do. Our present and former doctors both promoted the flu shot.

I've had two different primary care doctors since living in the Villages and neither one of them ever recommended that I get a flu shot.

I just talked to a woman yesterday who told me she can't get a flu shot because it would make her very sick. What if a doctor were to recommend a flu shot to someone like her? Would the doctor take responsibility?

Maybe that's why many of them shy away from recommending one.

[Villages PL]

per the CDC website:

CDC does not know exactly how many people die from seasonal flu each year. There are several reasons for this. First, states are not required to report individual seasonal flu cases or deaths of people older than 18 years of age to CDC. Second, seasonal influenza is infrequently listed on death certificates of people who die from flu-related complications. Third, many seasonal flu-related deaths occur one or two weeks after a person’s initial infection, either because the person may develop a secondary bacterial co-infection (such as bacterial pneumonia) or because seasonal influenza can aggravate an existing chronic illness (such as congestive heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Also, most people who die from seasonal flu-related complications are not tested for flu, or they seek medical care later in their illness when seasonal influenza can no longer be detected from respiratory samples.

Good post. I shouldn't have been so eager to accept the statistic of 24,000 deaths. What you said above sounds reasonable.

Assuming that you are correct, we simply don't know how many people die each year of the flu. So we don't know how many people have to get a flu shot to save one life.

[CFrance]

I think people on this thread are just cherry-picking the facts to suit their own beliefs. Just because that woman told VPL that the flu shot would make her sick... how does she know what made her sick? Did she have tests done and get proof it was from the shot? She could have had food poisoning. And if she truly believes it made her sick and yet her doctor promotes a flu shot, she should have the courage of her convictions to ignore the advice and tell him otherwise. It's not the doctor's responsibility to be a mind reader.

Just because a doctor doesn't mention you should have a flu shot does not automatically equate to mean he's not advocating them. Most people our age already know it is recommended. You can't turn on the television, get on the internet or enter a grocery store or pharmacy and not see that recommendation. My doctor doesn't tell me to go get a mammogram every year either, but he's in favor of them. You bear a certain responsibility for your own well being without waiting for your doctor to tell you what to do next.

For the 2014-2015 influenza season, CDC/Influenza Division and the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) are collaborating on a pilot project to use NCHS mortality surveillance data for the rapid assessment of pneumonia and influenza (P&I) mortality. So if CDC is reporting 24,000 deaths, the number is probably low if Bonnevie is in fact correct and not every death needs to be reported. There's a table for flu/pneumonia deaths from 2010 here Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report | Seasonal Influenza (Flu) | CDC (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/#S2)

So pick what you want to believe, whatever makes you feel justified in your personal decision whether or not to get a flu shot, and leave others to make their own decision. I doubt any of us are going to be able to change others' minds.

[graciegirl]

I've had two different primary care doctors since living in the Villages and neither one of them ever recommended that I get a flu shot.

I just talked to a woman yesterday who told me she can't get a flu shot because it would make her very sick. What if a doctor were to recommend a flu shot to someone like her? Would the doctor take responsibility?

Maybe that's why many of them shy away from recommending one.


I would think that most doctors assume you get it at Publix or a pharmacy. Doctors are not ministers. They aren't going to preach to you. It is elective. If you don't want to get it, you probably will still be alive next year. It isn't like passing up treatment for cancer which will kill you.

[Buffalo Jim]

A long story short . About 10 years ago I failed to get my usual annual Flu Immunization .
I came down with a wicked case of the Flu . I could not hardly get out of bed for two weeks .
Finally i decided to force myself to return to work only to literally collapse just as I was about to get into my car .
A few weeks later in an annual physical my GP said " Your Kidneys are operating at only about 60% . Sent me to a specialist and more and more tests . Specialist concluded that the Flu had forever impaired my Kidney function and told me that I now had " 3rd Stage Kidney Disease ".
Moved down here and went to the Mayo Clinic to see a Kidney Specialist . After two days of numerous tests and medical history the Specialist said ' most likely that bad case of the Flu forever damaged your Kidney Function ".

[CFrance]

A long story short . About 10 years ago I failed to get my usual annual Flu Immunization .
I came down with a wicked case of the Flu . I could not hardly get out of bed for two weeks .
Finally i decided to force myself to return to work only to literally collapse just as I was about to get into my car .
A few weeks later in an annual physical my GP said " Your Kidneys are operating at only about 60% . Sent me to a specialist and more and more tests . Specialist concluded that the Flu had forever impaired my Kidney function and told me that I now had " 3rd Stage Kidney Disease ".
Moved down here and went to the Mayo Clinic to see a Kidney Specialist . After two days of numerous tests and medical history the Specialist said ' most likely that bad case of the Flu forever damaged your Kidney Function ".
Thanks for sharing that. It gives something additional to think about to those who are telling themselves they're healthy enough that they don't need a flu shot.

Medicine does help us live better, healthier lives.

[Barefoot]

Yesterday 09:11 AM:confused: Any doctor or medical clinic of which I'm aware certainly recommends getting a flu shot, especially for anyone over the age of 60.

Don't assume it just because your doctor's office offers flu shots. Did your doctor specifically urge (or promote) you to get a flu shot?

I'm not assuming anything. As I said, any doctor or medical clinic of which I'm aware definitely RECOMMENDS getting a flu shot.
I don't think that the two PCPs that you've had who failed to recommend a flu shot are representative of the majority of doctors.

[Bonnevie]

Good post. I shouldn't have been so eager to accept the statistic of 24,000 deaths. What you said above sounds reasonable.

Assuming that you are correct, we simply don't know how many people die each year of the flu. So we don't know how many people have to get a flu shot to save one life.


I guess that's one way of looking at it. As one who had the flu, I would not go without a shot. People who never had the flu use that as an excuse not to get it... never had the flu therefore don't need it...although the correlation may be faulty....could be from lack of exposure because so many people are getting the shot and won't be spreading it, your immune system was good enough so far to ward it off.....you're not out in public much....it's a personal choice. I chose to use something available to me that may prevent me from going thru another horrible experience.

[Villages PL]

Search the following: "Flu Shot Caused Neurological Disorder"