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Today's Poll: Have you gotten a seasonal flu vaccine?

By Howard B. Owens
mike nixon

Saturday at about 3 oclock, I just didnt feel right. By 9 oclock I had a low grade fever 99ish. By 3 am I had a 101 fever. Next morning fever, chest and head cold. Monday fever broke about 3 in the afternoon. Now Friday almost 100% healthy. I did not put any foriegn antibodies in my system, nor have I for almost 20 years. The same thing every year, I am sick for a few days after the New Year, and again some time in March or April. Same in Same out, I live with the flu so I don't have to take the shot. Im sure that might change when I get older, but for now, Im good.

Jan 11, 2013, 9:26am Permalink
Doug Yeomans

Mike, that's not the flu, that's RSV or a cold. The flu is a life threatening virus, not just for the elderly or infirm, but for everyone. Responsible people get the flu vaccine every year. Mary and I got our flu vaccine at the East main Rite Aid pharmacy and it cost us nothing.

I'm not sure what you mean by foreign antibodies being put into your system. The flu vaccine contains DEAD flu virii of differing strains. They cause your body to produce antibodies which aren't foreign to your body at all. The flu vaccine does not cause you to become sick and it does not cause you to have the flu.

I get so tired of the blatant ignorance that prevails despite readily available, factual information to the contrary. Get your flu shot..you just might save someone's life by doing so.

http://www.whec.com/news/stories/S2892358.shtml?cat=565
The Monroe County Health Department tells News10NBC there have been seven deaths in just the last two weeks due to the flu and eight deaths overall.

Farley: ‘Severe’ Strain Of Flu Reaches Epidemic Proportions In New York City
New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley said: “It’s a bad year. We’ve got lots of flu, it’s mainly type AH3N2, which tends to be a little more severe. So we’re seeing plenty of cases of flu and plenty of people sick with flu”

Be informed and stop living in the dark ages. Vaccines, clean water and hand washing are why most of us made it into adulthood.

Jan 11, 2013, 11:27am Permalink
Billie Owens

I have no problem with putting foreign antibodies into my system if it spares me from the flu, which is the whole point of opting for the momentary discomfort of a hyperdermic needle. Anticipating a week of misery like clockwork every year is more than enough incentive for me.

Jan 11, 2013, 11:27am Permalink
tom hunt

Mike it is obivous that what you had was not the flu. A full blown case of the flu will put you into bed for a week to ten days. I had a boss at my former employee who bragged he never got the flu and would never take the shot. One year he came down with a severe case of the flu....missed 12 weeks of work and ended up in the hospital. When he finially came back to work, he was 40 pounds lighter and looked like death warmed over. He became a firm believer of the annual shot.

Jan 11, 2013, 12:25pm Permalink
Doug Yeomans

Peter, I said responsible get the vaccine. I never said anyone was irresponsible if they don't. One person said they don't get the vaccine. Billie and I said we do. That's about 66 and 2 thirds % that do.

But, people that do get the vaccine are responsible for realizing that it not only helps them, but it helps to prevent the spread of a potentially fatal virus. Maybe people who don't get the vaccine are responsible by washing their hands every 10 minutes and they never leave their house to spread the flu.

My parents remember the days of polio and I know people right in our own neighborhood that had it when they were children. If people weren't vaccinated against it to stop the spread of it, we'd still have polio epidemics.

When I was a kid, taking a child to visit another kid with chicken pox was a safety valve for that disease. It was better to get it as a child than as an adult. Now we know that it's better to never get it at all because it comes back as an adult in the form of shingles. Kids now get a chicken pox vaccine and never have to get it. BTW, I got my shingles vaccine a few years ago and hope it prevents me from getting shingles or at least lessens the severity.

Maybe growing up with my mom as an RN has made me more aware of vaccines and what happens when people don't get them. All anyone has to do is see what happens in Amish communities that refuse to vaccinate their children. Pertussis is one of the diseases that comes to mind.

Anyway, people should opt to get the vaccine for the same reasons they get any other vaccines. Are you up to date on your tetanus vaccine? Now it's even recommended to get a pertussis booster. I got one of those, too!

Jan 11, 2013, 2:36pm Permalink
Peter O'Brien

So your telling me if one thing is true the opposite is not?

So if the sky is blue, then is it is not green. Seems to be true but somehow that doesn't work with your assertion?

Logic, Its tough but you should learn a bit about it.

Jan 11, 2013, 3:34pm Permalink
Bob Harker

Doug, don't bother arguing with those that can only insult and not provide a reasonable rationale for their opinions.

And for those that did not get the shot, please don't whine when you feel like crap.

Jan 11, 2013, 7:19pm Permalink

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