[senior citizen]

How many of you have had the flu this season or else know of someone whether it be a friend or family member who has had the flu within the past few weeks?

In listening to Robin Roberts' happy emotional "return" via camera to Good Morning America, explaining her doctor's plan for her return to the studio, plus mentioning that the present flu epidemic is also a concern due to her compromised immune system...........I was just thinking that although we keep seeing all the news stations broadcasting the flu outbreaks in each state, we ourselves do not know anyone, in any of the states our family or friends are in........that actually has the flu or had it most recently.

I guess we can consider ourselves very fortunate. Hope you are all healthy as well..........

p.s.
We have not had the flu shot either. Thanks in advance for your posts.

[cathyw]

Fortunately, I do not know anyone here or where we come from that has had the flu recently.
I have never gotten a flu shot and never get the flu.

[jblum315]

have not had flu in more than 10 years, since I started getting flu shots. Occasional head cold.

[Taltarzac725]

One of my parents' church friends has been out with the flu for almost 4 weeks. That's here in the Villages.

Got my flu shot last week for $12 (with empty pill bottle $3 coupon discount) at Publix. I usually get an ache around the needle entry point for a few days after a flu shot. That's why I waited so long. Plus, many people from the Northern climes are here and probably brought the flu with them from areas that have wider flu epidemics than here in the Villages.

Two of my Doggie Doo Run Run friends got the flu AFTER they got the flu shot. My guess is that there must be more than one strain going around.

[pooh]

We have a nasty cold making the rounds in our neighborhood....but as for flu, I don't think that has reared it's ugly head.

[blueash]

There are many positive influenza rapid antigen test patients being seen in Sumter county. If your doctor does an influenza test the important thing to know is that a positive test is very accurate, you have influenza, however, the diagnositic value of a negative influenza test is poor. Depending on the test manufacturer, and lab technician, a person with influenza is almost as likely to have a negative test as a positive one. But to answer the OP question, yes I am personally familiar with a large number of patients who are testing positive for influenza. Get your flu shot. It is completely impossible that it can give you flu. By the way, nearly a quarter of adults who are actively shedding influenza virus develop no clinical illness http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21844028 and many additional patients have only mild illness. Do not assume that because you have never been bedridden with severe influenza that you have never had it. Like other infectious diseases influenza has a wide range of clinical presentation and that you have only had mild symptoms in the past is no guarantee that the next time will be similar. Neither is getting a vaccine a guarantee that you won't be seriously ill, but it lowers the risk. Vaccinating also improves the herd immunity making you less likely to acquire then spread the virus to your contacts, neighbors, and family

[2BNTV]

Here in CT, I've had the shot and the flu for one day. Would have been much worse if I ddin't get the flu shot. There are people at work with the flu but I am not concerned that I will get it again.

[ugotme]

I had "something!"

Don't think it was the flu, just a very nasty cold. First one since I moved down here. Stayed with me almost 2 weeks.

[justjim]

We haven't had the flu----got our flu shot in November. A good friend said his daughter and son-in-law were down with the flu in the Chicago area. Recently talked with two different couples who never get the flu shot because they said it can cause Gullen Bray (spelling?). Another, said they don't get the shot and has never had the flu.

[George Bieniaszek]

Just went to get my flu shot. Haven't had one in over 10 years but with all the reports on the news, my wife and I decided to get them. The CVS on 466 does not have any supply of flu vaccinations left and said they wont have them for a couple of weeks. The CVS on 301/44 has a supply if anyone is looking.

[gomoho]

Don't think I have the flu, but started 7 days ago with a horrific sore throat, then congestion and a dry hacking cough, yesterday nausea, this morning a blinding headache that I could hardly get out of bed. GEEZ - maybe I would have been better off with the flu. Feeling good enough at the moment to check on the activities here then back to the sofa. YUCK I'm missing the beautiful weather!

[NotGolfer]

I've heard of some folks having the flu here...noone that's close though. Larry, on the radio in the a.m.'s had it before or during the holidays. Even was in the hospital with the complications from what I understand.

We got the shot ...and always do every year. I have a compromised immune system due to having some immune-difficiency diseases. Was told to get the shot!!! I'm hoping NOT to get the actual flu as I've heard it's nasty!

What are the symptoms of this newest strain?????

[KathieI]

Everyone I know is sick here in The Villages and elsewhere around the country. Its a strange strain, not sure its actually the flu.. I've been sick since Nov 1 and haven't been able to get a flu shot until I'm well, its been 2 months. Started off with bronchitis/pneumonia then after that went away, it went into sinusitis. Seems that the symptoms are all over the place, but hacking/coughing, sore throat, sinus problems all seem to be the symptoms. I'm staying in my house rather than be around people who haven't gotten their shot because my immune system is compromised by now and I need to be sure I'm better before I venture out. Some of my meds are being delayed at Walgreen's probably because they are overloaded with requests.

Hope this goes away soon, I'm missing my dancing buddies.

[mikeandnancy1112]

When I was young I was allergic to eggs and the flu shot was made from eggs so I never got one. In 2000 I worked for a hospital and it was frowned on if we didn't get a flu shot and I had outgrown my allergy for eggs, so I got my first and only one. Soon after I developed the worst flu I had ever had. So, no, I have not gotten a flu shot since 2000 and will never get one. Luckily I haven't had the flu, knock on wood.

[Serenoa]

not retired yet & still working in an office full of sneezers & coughers & fellow workers "just getting over" this or that.

for the past three years, or ever since I started using hand sanitizer regularly, I haven't had so much as a head cold, much less anything worse. No flu shot but drink lots of florida OJ in the winter.