flu jab

Like nanalyn53 I've had real flu'. I was in my 40s and it was awful. DH had to nurse me whilst he was also working. (Luckily he was on an early shift. Equally luckily he didn't get the flu'. ) I had a chest infection with it as well, (GP did home visit and put me on drugs.) With all the coughing and wheezing, at one point I was literally oozing from every orifice. (Sorry to be so graphic, but it's true.) I fainted when going to the loo and hit myself on furniture. It was truly awful for two weeks and I really thought I would die, despite being a usually fit and well woman. I'm 66 now and get the jab for free, but after having flu' I bought the jab annually, when it became widely available. A small price to pay for the chance to avoid having flu' again. Flu is a killer and we need to remember this.

Yes, definitely! Been having it for years. Had flu about three times in my life and it's very nasty! The possible post-flu complications can be even nastier. My son ended up with pneumonia as a young fit 30 year old!

Flu and colds are two different things. The flu jab does not prevent colds - would that it did!

We had our jabs on Friday. By Friday evening we both felt a bit shivery and achy, a bit weary and apathetic Sat morning but firing on 4 cylinders by Sat night. This is the strongest reaction I have ever had but it will not, under any circumstances put me off from having it again. A reaction shows that it is working. If I felt that crummy after an injection, how much worse would I feel with flu!

I first got a flu jab when I was going to visit my granddaughter in Australia who has viral induced asthma. I now pay to have one every year as I have no reaction to it and don't want to get flu.

No, I will not be getting it. I don't think it's irresponsible. It is up to the individual to decide. I have never had the vaccination and I have never had the 'flu.

Yes indeed. Since having flu a few years ago, I always have the jab. This year I qualify for a free one which was nice. I used to have it done in whichever supermarket pharmacy was cheapest.

Last year I had it done at Asda and the conditions were far from sterile.

Yes. Every year. Why would you not?

Anya - I know they haven't all been conquered, and it was the wrong word to use, but it is indisputable that the more people who are immunised, the fewer people who contract a particular illness.
The OP was inviting opinions on whether to have the flu jab. My point is that while understandably one's own health is a first priority, in the case of a potential epidemic we also have to consider whether we have a group responsibility for 'the herd' as someone else put it. That forms part of the decision, or should do. I didn't use the word 'irresponsible'.

Have been having it for years, and always get feverish and ill for a few days a week or two later. But, saying that, for the rest of the year I am totally cold/flu free. Well worth having.

If over 65, you can have a free flu jab at your doctor's surgery. Why not have it? It may be the right vaccine for the coming winter, but nobody can be sure. Better to be protected then risk getting flu. I always have a jab every year and, apart froma sore arm for a day or two, I have had no reactions.

I had the flu jab for the first three years it was available to me for free. I have never experienced such awful colds as in those three years following the flu jab. The last time I was ill for 3months. I am tempted not to have it this year to see if I get a less severe cold.

I was forced to have the swine flu jab when I worked in the NHS, it made me really ill.

I won't be having any more.

Lucky that's certainly a weird one!

Sorry to disagree nannalyn but, regardless of the 'facts' (some of those you mentioned have not been 'conquered') you were accusing those who don't want the jab of being irresponsible, weren't you?

Tea Tree oil on the feet to prevent bugs getting in - now I have heard everything!

I have asthma and have the flu jab every year. A few years ago my husband had flu and doesn't remember that week of his life. I looked after him, waking him up every so often to make him drink a pint of water but I didn't catch the bug from him.

I don't know what would have happened to him if I hadn't been around to look after him.

I've just cancelled mine,I've never had one before and have been advised to have one. Having googled the info on them also, to find out its hit and miss whether they guess the right strain each year I felt I'll do the same and take the risk. Forum I read from NHS lots of people got real poorly first time they had it I really don't want to put that into my body.So I went to Holland and Barrett and stocked up on various vitamins instead.

I've had flu - I have the flu jab! I also agree with Nannalyn53.

Apparently the Whooping Cough vaccination only lasts for ten years, then you need to get it done again.

Just had mine done go every year so worth it. Our surgery has said can have shingles and pneumonia jab bu not all at once apparantly if you get shingles when your over 70 you can be quite ill.

I have mercury in my dental fillings but somehow manage to be OK! Not sure that pharmaceutical companies use mercury any more.
I always carry antibacterial wipes and clean my hands after using supermarket trolleys or baskets.

I have never had the flu vaccination and won't be having it. I did have the Whooping Cough vaccination when GD was born and I found out that it is more likely parents and/or GPs who pass it on to babies.

It's not 'laying a guilt trip' to state the facts. The fewer people who have a vaccination, the more who will contract it and some of those sadly will die because of it. This is a fact. How do you think polio, smallpox, measles, whooping cough and so on were conquered?

Oh yes, and I take echinacea. I have been known to put Tea Tree on the soles of my feet. I read somewhere that it helps keep bugs at bay.