Flu Season Takes off Quickly in Deep South States

[Nature Boy 2.0 8,370]

looks like I got mine hopefully just in time. I  Almost forgot, but got it about 3 weeks ago. I almost cringe every time some science challenged person, I know someone that got the flu shot 2 years ago and still got the flu. Well I knew someone who didnt and died.

 

 

https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2019-11-29/flu-season-takes-off-quickly-in-deep-south-states

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

Flip a coin.  50%

 

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccines-work/vaccineeffect.htm#howeffective

 

Personal experience... I used to get the vaccine annually, and had the flu probably 8 out of 10 years.  Haven't had the vaccine in the past 5 years, and haven't had the flu once.  YMMV

[Steeleballz 7,550]

12 minutes ago, ALFKAD said:

Flip a coin.  50%

 

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccines-work/vaccineeffect.htm#howeffective

 

Personal experience... I used to get the vaccine annually, and had the flu probably 8 out of 10 years.  Haven't had the vaccine in the past 5 years, and haven't had the flu once.  YMMV

 

 

   The nature of the virus itself is that sometimes the strains used to make the vaccine end up not being a good match for the strains that end up circulating during the following season. As a general rule though, if you still get the flu after you had the shot, the symptoms should be less severe. Once in a while they completely miss the strains (there is some guesswork involved), in which case the vaccine may not be effective.

 

  I had the flu once without getting the shot and it was awful. I've had it once in the same year after I got the vaccine and it was basically just a runny nose. I only know I had it because I did the rapid test. I wouldn't have guessed it was the flu otherwise. I may have had it other times without knowing. People often only get tested when they get a bad case.

 

  Definitely kids, older people and anyone who's immune system may be compromised should consider getting the shot. The ~50:50 odds are not as good for people in those groups. Also if you are around any of those groups, well you may just get a runny nose, but you might be putting them at increased risk. Anyway just my 2 cents. I always get the shot now.

[Boiler 45,519]

I have never had a shot, not sure when it became common to do so, certainly do not remember it being a thing unless you were high risk.

[Steeleballz 7,550]

Just now, Boiler said:

I have never had a shot, not sure when it became common to do so, certainly do not remember it being a thing unless you were high risk.

 

    Several people I have worked with talk about a bad batch of flu vaccine back in the 70's that made a lot of people sick. Not sure how many people were getting it back then. I think the current vaccines have been pretty common for 20 years or so. 

[Boiler 45,519]

Looked it up, introduced in late 60's for high risk groups and over 65 in 2000.

 

I was never in a high risk group so passed it by, I think I first saw it over the counter when I came to the US. So never considered the need. Sort of put it in the same category as all those Medical adverts on TV here.

[yuna628 9,676]

I had H1N1 once. That felt like death. I think I've had what I'd term as 'the flu' a couple times.. this year they asked if I wanted the shot. I'm currently immune compromised so.. need to be careful. But after talking it out with the doctor, they thought it actually best if I held off until I'm in a better place medically.. my system can only take so much. So I need to be careful to 'avoid the flu'.. how exactly does one avoid it?

[Steeleballz 7,550]

2 minutes ago, yuna628 said:

I had H1N1 once. That felt like death. I think I've had what I'd term as 'the flu' a couple times.. this year they asked if I wanted the shot. I'm currently immune compromised so.. need to be careful. But after talking it out with the doctor, they thought it actually best if I held off until I'm in a better place medically.. my system can only take so much. So I need to be careful to 'avoid the flu'.. how exactly does one avoid it?

 

  Probably the best things you can do is avoid crowds, wash hands after touching anything that someone else might have handled, and wear a respiratory mask if you are around someone who is coughing. It's a tough call because you never know who might have it.

 

  Also, I guess they say this for everything, but getting enough rest and good nutrition can also help fight it off if you do get exposed. 

[Steeleballz 7,550]

27 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Looked it up, introduced in late 60's for high risk groups and over 65 in 2000.

 

I was never in a high risk group so passed it by, I think I first saw it over the counter when I came to the US. So never considered the need. Sort of put it in the same category as all those Medical adverts on TV here.

 

  Colorado state law has required anyone in a health care setting to get the vaccine. It's been about 3 or 4 years now. Many people in healthcare have been getting it longer than that though. Hospitals are one of the easiest places to get sick.  

[Boiler 45,519]

Well the nearest Hospital is an hour or so away so I should be safe.

[TBoneTX 45,299]

Must've been 10 or 11 years ago when Swine Flu was an epidemic.

Everyone in Ecuador was absolutely terrified of contracting the "Porcina," as they called it.

 

Mrs. T-B. had been here just a few months when I got sick with mild flu-like symptoms.

She accompanied me to the doctor, who diagnosed Swine Flu.  I was to stay home 7 days to recuperate.

 

When I exited the office, Mrs. T-B. asked what the diagnosis was.

I said to wait until we were on the elevator.

 

On the elevator (occupied only by us), I said, "I have the Porcina."

"WHAT?!" she exclaimed.  "Are you going to die?  Do you have to go to the hospital?"

"No; just rest at home for a week," I said, amused at her reaction.

 

At home, Mrs. T-B. beelined for the phone and began calling her family in Ecu.

Mama-Mrs.-T-B., who speaks no English, wanted to get on the phone with me.

Her frantic jabbering included enferme (sick) and Porcina.

I said, "Soy un puerco [I am a pig] -- oink oink oink."  She laughed nervously.

 

By approximately the 8th phone call, Mrs. T-B. had relaxed.

When her friends asked her if I was going to die, she replied, "I won't be that lucky."  

[Nature Boy 2.0 8,370]

6 hours ago, TBoneTX said:

Must've been 10 or 11 years ago when Swine Flu was an epidemic.

Everyone in Ecuador was absolutely terrified of contracting the "Porcina," as they called it.

 

Mrs. T-B. had been here just a few months when I got sick with mild flu-like symptoms.

She accompanied me to the doctor, who diagnosed Swine Flu.  I was to stay home 7 days to recuperate.

 

When I exited the office, Mrs. T-B. asked what the diagnosis was.

I said to wait until we were on the elevator.

 

On the elevator (occupied only by us), I said, "I have the Porcina."

"WHAT?!" she exclaimed.  "Are you going to die?  Do you have to go to the hospital?"

"No; just rest at home for a week," I said, amused at her reaction.

 

At home, Mrs. T-B. beelined for the phone and began calling her family in Ecu.

Mama-Mrs.-T-B., who speaks no English, wanted to get on the phone with me.

Her frantic jabbering included enferme (sick) and Porcina.

I said, "Soy un puerco [I am a pig] -- oink oink oink."  She laughed nervously.

 

By approximately the 8th phone call, Mrs. T-B. had relaxed.

When her friends asked her if I was going to die, she replied, "I won't be that lucky."  

Lol the struggle is real

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

11 hours ago, Steeleballz said:

 

 

   The nature of the virus itself is that sometimes the strains used to make the vaccine end up not being a good match for the strains that end up circulating during the following season. As a general rule though, if you still get the flu after you had the shot, the symptoms should be less severe. Once in a while they completely miss the strains (there is some guesswork involved), in which case the vaccine may not be effective.

 

  I had the flu once without getting the shot and it was awful. I've had it once in the same year after I got the vaccine and it was basically just a runny nose. I only know I had it because I did the rapid test. I wouldn't have guessed it was the flu otherwise. I may have had it other times without knowing. People often only get tested when they get a bad case.

 

  Definitely kids, older people and anyone who's immune system may be compromised should consider getting the shot. The ~50:50 odds are not as good for people in those groups. Also if you are around any of those groups, well you may just get a runny nose, but you might be putting them at increased risk. Anyway just my 2 cents. I always get the shot now.

Yeah, I get that.  By no means am I anti-vaccine.  And I'm sure if I ever get the flu without the vaccine,  it may change my ways again.  But after 20+ years of forced vaccines, I at least like having a choice.

 

Of course, if I were of such an advanced age as NB2 to put me at the top of the high risk group, I'd probably get TWO shots per year! 

 

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

The one and only time I had the flu was when I was in Iraq in 2006. It was the worst because I felt like I got hit by a truck and I still had to go out to pull guard duty. 

 

Luckily when I went to the VA last week I got my flu shot right when I walked in the door.

[Burnt Reynolds 5,058]

I don't believe in the flu, it only believes in me.

 

When we lived out east in Canada I once had a nasty norovirus, first time in my life I needed an ambulance. Of course, I should've asked they take me to another city's hospital. First, they treated my wife like garbage when in L&D she went through an emergency with our daughter, and later treated her even worse in postpartum, then when I had that norovirus they treated me like garbage in the ER. I was proud that the hospital had excellent diversity and treats all people equally bad.