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I work in a family practice medical clinic. The flu is *here*. Wash your hands, be careful, because there's a ton of it around.

The pediatric side of my clinic had 22 positive flu tests yesterday. Not possible cases, people with fever and body aches, but positive lab tests for flu. You can bet that there were more that did not register as positive yet who had it. It's mostly flu A with a few B's mixed in. I know the CDC came out this morning with a bulletin that flu season is here.

We've seen more flu by 12/4 than we saw through the entire flu season last year.

Be careful.

Do you think people should get the flu shots each year?

Just wondering.

I haven't had the flu shot in over 30 years, nor have I had the flu.

(12-04-2012 12:41 PM)UAB Band Dad Wrote:  I work in a family practice medical clinic. The flu is *here*. Wash your hands, be careful, because there's a ton of it around.

The pediatric side of my clinic had 22 positive flu tests yesterday. Not possible cases, people with fever and body aches, but positive lab tests for flu. You can bet that there were more that did not register as positive yet who had it. It's mostly flu A with a few B's mixed in. I know the CDC came out this morning with a bulletin that flu season is here.

We've seen more flu by 12/4 than we saw through the entire flu season last year.

Be careful.

Thank you. When my daughter first caught the flu about 3 years ago, it was scary and heartbreaking seeing her suffer like that. My wife was in a state of near-panic. With my immune system the way it is, catching the flu would be playing "Scrabble" with the Grim Reaper.

I got my flu shot about 3 weeks ago. This kind of heads up advice never gets old. Your humanity is deeply appreciated.

(12-04-2012 12:54 PM)the_blazerman Wrote:  Do you think people should get the flu shots each year?

Just wondering.

I haven't had the flu shot in over 30 years, nor have I had the flu.

I'm curious about this too.

I always get a flu shot (of course, I work in a high risk field).
I personally think everybody should get it. The shot can't cause the flu

I all the time see people who have a cold that say "I've got the flu." Usually not true. The flu is AWFUL and can kill you.
Every person I've met that had legitimately had the flu has made sure to get the flu shot in the future

My wife & daughters do get a flu shot or flu mist every year.

(12-04-2012 12:54 PM)the_blazerman Wrote:  Do you think people should get the flu shots each year?

Just wondering.

I haven't had the flu shot in over 30 years, nor have I had the flu.

Id vote for getting the shot yearly. I do.

My family and I have already received the flu shot. I wonder if this year's flu shot was a good match for this particular flu? I sure hope so!

I have to get annual vax, but would do so anyway. I would recommend that everyone get the flu shot every year without a doubt.

(12-04-2012 01:18 PM)blazers9911 Wrote:  

(12-04-2012 12:54 PM)the_blazerman Wrote:  Do you think people should get the flu shots each year?

Just wondering.

I haven't had the flu shot in over 30 years, nor have I had the flu.

I'm curious about this too.

The annual flu immunizations are formulated with the strains that are expected to be the most common that year. The shots are dead virus, they do *not* cause the flu, no matter what that yoyo you work with says.

I get them every year. They don't make you immune, but they help with your immunity, and if you do get catch it you'll be less sick. At worst it's good cheap insurance. I mean why not get it? Seriously?

I sometimes forget to get the shot, or just don't go because I don't care enough. But I'm told if you ever get the flu, that is the last time you will not get a flu shot.

I run with someone in the medical profession. She told me this year's flu shot "totally missed" the strain that is doing all the damage.

My daughter's pediatrician said that a lot of kids that got the shot this year came up with the flu.

So ditto on it being a different strain.

I worked in the ER for 4 years, never got the shot, and never got the flu. However, I did get it this year since we have a newborn in the house. It couldn't hurt. Maybe I was just lucky.

It's recommended that you get the flu shot yearly.

Another good advise- Don't take a healthy child to a pediatrician office. If you do have to go to the doctors for anything- take hand cleaner- do not pick up any papers to read in the waiting room-take your own pen to sign in- sit on a hard chair and not a sofa--do not drink from a water fountain- when leaving clean you hands from opening and closing the doctor's office door.

What is more costly: paying (at most) $36 for a flu shot or missing a week of work?

(12-05-2012 10:24 AM)UABslant Wrote:  What is more costly: paying (at most) $36 for a flu shot or missing a week of work?

Missing a week of work with flu really messed up, missing a week of work without the Flu, honey does, road trip, priceless.

You can get the flu shot for free at a lot of places..