Just wondering how many have received the flu jab this year? Every person I know who has had it seems to have copped a dose of the flu.

Dear runner,

My husband and I have both received the vaccine.
We do every year. And no we haven't become ill
as a result, now or in the past. The vaccine is
not a living virus so it actually can't give you
an illness. However, get your doctor to explain
it to you for your own peace of mind.

Foxy

Starting a statement with "my husband and I" makes you sound like the queen.

Thanks Foxy

It seems to have worked for you. My elderly parents have suffered quite severe flu not long after having the shots. My father in law also has suffered bad flu a number of years in a row after taking the jab while my mother in law has remained flu free having refused the shot. I personally would not take it as I have not had flu for over 10 years but was interested to know what others experience was especially knowing my father is again on anti biotics after having the needle that was suppose to reduce the risk.

No Benk, I would say Foxy's parents or who ever raised Foxy taught her beautiful manners. One of my sister's taught me, whenever possible, to use the other person one was referring to first, and self last. Co-incidentally that sister a keen reader also.

As an avid reader of books we have both, in all probability, picked up on this way of speaking throughout our lives ie in many books another person is introduced in speaking first. These days different authors use introductions in writing any way.

[just a lighthearted explanation]

Dear benk,

Thank You for the compliment.
I can't help the way that I speak
or write. Perhaps it is my education,
or the superb English teacher that
I had at school who instilled in all
of her students the love of language
and literature. Or perhaps it is the
fact that I am bi-lingual?

Dear We Are Unique,

Thank You for your kind words.

Dear Runner,

I'm sorry that your family got the flu
after the injections. But perhaps it
could have been much worse had they not
received the injections? As I wrote in
my earlier post - the vaccine is not a
living virus so it can't give anyone
the flu. Check with your doctor.

Foxy’s right. It’s impossible to get the flu from the injections although the shot doesn’t cover every strain of flu, only the more common strains. So I’d say these people you know were extremely unlucky, Runner.

I have had the flu shot for every year aside from two since they first started offering it in 1995, and the only times I’ve had the flu since then were the years that I didn’t have the vaccination.

I have vowed never to miss another shot.

'my father is again on anti biotics after having the needle that was suppose to reduce the risk.'

Correct me if I'm wrong (Like I need to ask), but I thought antibiotics only worked for bacterial infections and were of no use in treating viruses. Of course some doctors seem to use them in anticipation of a secondary infection.

Dear runner,

I've just got back from a doctor's
visit and while there I picked up a brochure
for you -
about the flu vaccination.

Anyway, I'll quote directly from it:

"Influenza, or "flu" as it is commonly
called, is a contagious disease caused
by a virus. Flu is often called a
respiratory disease, but it affects the
whole body.

The infection:

Begins suddenly.
May last 5-10 days
May keep you in bed for up to 5 days
Can disrupt your work life or holiday plans
Can result in serious complications in
high risk individuals.

It's a seasonal disease, occurring mainly in winter.

If you get the flu, go to bed, drink plenty
of liquids and take pain relievers for head and
muscle aches.

Antibiotics are not effective against the flu.
They are only helpful if you get a secondary
bacterial infection, such as pneumonia.

The best way to reduce the risk of suffering from
the flu is through vaccination. One dose of the
influenza vaccine will protect you for a whole
winter's flu season.

The vaccine will NOT give you the flu.
The vaccine does not contain "live" virus,
but merely alerts the body to the threat of the
virus. Most people have no unpleasant reaction to
the vaccine. The most common side effect is mild
soreness at the injection site, which can last a few
days. People with severe allergies to eggs or egg
products should not receive a flu vaccination.

Some people are at high risk of serious or
life-threatening complications from influenza,
e.g. asthmatics, diabetics, and sufferers of
chronic heart, lung and kidney disease."

I hope this helps.

Unfortunately there are many people around who, like Runner, are ignorant of the facts behind flu vaccinations.

Foxy has given everyone a comprehensive explanation of the truth behind these injections and the influenza virus.

Quite often, people are unlucky enough to contract a flu virus not covered by the current flu jab.
There are well over a hundred different strains of influenza around. We can't be vaccinated against them all every year.

My GP told me that if you regularly have a flu vaccination every year, you can expect to be even more effectively protected than if you only have one every couple of years. You will also be less severely affected if you happen to contract another flu virus.

Of course, there are always those people to contract a heavy cold, and then proceed to tell all they have had the flu.
Mostly, it is men who are guilty of this......:)

Have the flu vaccination every year if you can.

Thank you again Foxy and Suzie for your research and knowledge on this topic. I am quite pleased to hear of people who have had positive results from getting the flu shot. I have met a number of people (non religious) who claim that the flu shot did not help them.

Suzi you say that a number of people who get the shot then contract another form of flu virus not covered by the shot. That must be a good reason to question how many shots we should be getting. These days their seems to be shots for everything except for the things you get. I wonder if statistics show their is any less flu since the vaccinations were introduced.