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Flu Season Nothing To Sneeze At

wdlove

wdlove

macrumors P6
Original poster
Oct 20, 2002
16,568
0
people always say what a bad flu season it's going to be... but i never pay much attention to it. i hardly get the flu, but i've got a bit of it now... yeah 3 to 5 days off work is about right. :p

i always say you should just try and stay healthy, eat right, and look after yourself. :)
 
I'm full aware how flu shots work, but it still strikes me as strange that the only time in my life I've gotten the flu is the one time I got a shot. Everyone in my family can have the flu, and I, even without a flu shot, don't get it. I ain't too worried.
 
In that article, the head of the Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group says that the only people who shouldn't get flu shots are "those who are severely allergic to chicken eggs -- or those who have had a severe allergic reaction to flu vaccines in the past". Is this just a lone opinion or is there a different consensus this year? In past years, my doctor has told me that only certain demographic groups were recommended for flu shots.

And what determines whether the shot or the spray is most appropriate?
 
Originally posted by Doctor Q
In that article, the head of the Mayo Clinic's Vaccine Research Group says that the only people who shouldn't get flu shots are "those who are severely allergic to chicken eggs -- or those who have had a severe allergic reaction to flu vaccines in the past". Is this just a lone opinion or is there a different consensus this year? In past years, my doctor has told me that only certain demographic groups were recommended for flu shots.

And what determines whether the shot or the spray is most appropriate?
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I think before there wasn't sufficient quantity to vaccinate the whole population, so they focused on groups in danger first.

On the shot versus the spray, I think the main difference, or at least the most important difference to me, is the $50+ added cost to the spray. I think I will take a shot and save $50. :D
 
Originally posted by Phil Of Mac
It's recommended for everyone because the medical cartel just wants to sell more flu shots :rolleyes:
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I agree that the drug manufactures have a profit motive.

Doctors care for the safety of their patients. On our local channel WCVB Dr. Timothy Johnson is the medical editor. His recommendation was that everyone should consider getting the flu vaccine. Those 50 and over definitely should receive the flu shot. The nose spray are just for those undr 50. The flu is very serious disease with it's sied effects. There is concern that those that get the flu will be more prone to get SARS. Also if the majority are vaccinated, it will make the diagnosis of SARS easier.
 
I was in a sarcastic mood this morning. I agree with the value of the flu shot, however, I will not be getting one, as I have successfully survived multiple flu seasons before.

Besides, if I get the flu, it'll be a good opportunity for my immune system to build up strength :)
 
Originally posted by wdlove
The nose spray are just for those undr 50.
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Is that because the nose spray is less effective, so it shouldn't be given to the groups at higher risk?
 
Besides passing on the flu to other people, and missing work, what are the dangers of the flu? Not that getting a shot is going to help any now, because I'm just getting over the flu, but I'm just curious.
 
Influenza epidemics used to be fairly serious stuff as late as the early 20th century, I think--high death rates. I remember reading somewhere that the primary threat isn't the flu itself (which I guess would depend on what strain you got) but the secondary infections that could take advantage of flu-weakened immune systems, like pneumonia. And I believe the very young and very old would be the most at-risk groups. Children are virtual petri dishes of contagion because they're packed into schools all day and haven't accumulated the antibodies their elders have, and seniors' immune systems may be a bit weaker to begin with.

I could, of course, also be roundly mis-informed, so I invite any medical professionals present to correct me.
 
Originally posted by Doctor Q
Is that because the nose spray is less effective, so it shouldn't be given to the groups at higher risk?
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I thought I heard the Nose one is more potent then the shot...

And that they don't want people above 50 to have to fight the Flu Spray which might be as worse as the Flu itself!

This is the numbness you feel in after your arm when you have got the shot, white blood cells eating the Flu...

:eek:
 
Originally posted by Doctor Q
Is that because the nose spray is less effective, so it shouldn't be given to the groups at higher risk?
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The honest answer is that the nose spray is untested in the general population, so they don't know what the effect will be yet. It is critical that those over 50, disabilities, or immune compromised get the shot. The shot is proven to be effective. For those in the above groups it is crucial to prevent the flu. The risk is SARS, other severe bacterial infections which can result in hospitalization. There is also always a small risk of death for those in the weakest condition.
 
:( I am sorry to hear that news wdlove.

I heard that the flu drifted from one of the strains in the vaccine, and that the vaccine might possibly help make the infection less severe. But I can't point you guys to a source, so I could be wrong....

BTW I am vaccinated! :)
 
Good for you Stelliform. I think that getting the vaccine is a positive. It will stimulate your immune system. I agree that it should be a help if a slightly different strain were to come along.
 
Originally posted by FelixDerKater
Also, according to the advertisements I have seen, the FluMist spray contains the live virus and not a dead virus like the shot.
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I'm happy to hear that you are going to get the flu shot FelixDerKater, it's a very smart move on your part.

Yes, the FluMist Spray is a live virus. That is one of the reasons why it is not recomended for those over 55, disabled, or immune compromised. The efficacy or value has not yet been determined.
 
Originally posted by wdlove
Colorado is dealing with one of its worst flu outbreaks in years, 3400 cases with 4 children dead. This strains is no part of the current flu vaccine, but it is still good to get vaccinated.
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It's true.

I had the flu most of last week and I know tons of people who either have it or have already come down with it. Colorado is getting slammed.
 
Originally posted by Durandal7
It's true.

I had the flu most of last week and I know tons of people who either have it or have already come down with it. Colorado is getting slammed.
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I'm very sorry to hear about your ilness Durandal7. When a person has the Flu, there is never really any doubt. It is a total body envolvement, with the fever, body ache, and respiratory. Hope that you are feeling much better now? Were you able to enjoy Thanksgiving? Will you be getting a Flu Vaccination nexrt year?
 
Originally posted by rueyeet
Influenza epidemics used to be fairly serious stuff as late as the early 20th century, I think--high death rates. I remember reading somewhere that the primary threat isn't the flu itself (which I guess would depend on what strain you got) but the secondary infections that could take advantage of flu-weakened immune systems, like pneumonia. And I believe the very young and very old would be the most at-risk groups.
I could, of course, also be roundly mis-informed, so I invite any medical professionals present to correct me.
Click to expand...

I'm not a medical professional, but I'll jump in anyway. The flu epidemics that killed so many people were due to the flu virus being very different those years. As I understand it, the flu virus genome is in 6 segments. Those really bad flu strains happened when the human flu virus mixed one or more of the segments with a related virus that usually infects some barnyard animal (pig or chicken, maybe?). The new virus was less adapted to the human host and so ripped right through it. Viruses tend to become less severe over time... a dead host is not very good at spreading it around. That is why it is important for the CDC to keep an eye out for severe flu outbreaks and design vaccines to counter any that appear. It wouldn't be just the children and elderly and otherwise sick that would be in trouble.
 
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