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Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: Jeff G on December 14, 2013, 08:06:53 pm

Title: Flu shots .
Post by: Jeff G on December 14, 2013, 08:06:53 pm
I know there has already been a flu shot thread but I wanted to share something my doctor told me yesterday . This years flu is particularly nasty and my doctor told me they have had 3 healthy guys in there 20's die from the flu in the last few months .

She also told me that the nasty reaction I had to the vaccine is common this year with this shot and that she is afraid people who have bad reactions this year is discouraging others from getting the shot .

Please get your flu shot if you have not done so yet , its not too late . 
Title: Re: Flu shots .
Post by: bocker3 on December 14, 2013, 08:12:07 pm
I know there has already been a flu shot thread but I wanted to share something my doctor told me yesterday . This years flu is particularly nasty and my doctor told me they have had 3 healthy guys in there 20's die from the flu in the last few months .

She also told me that the nasty reaction I had to the vaccine is common this year with this shot and that she is afraid people who have bad reactions this year is discouraging others from getting the shot .

Please get your flu shot if you have not done so yet , its not too late .

This Public Service Announcement is brought to you by:

The Common Sense Foundation!!

Thank you Jeff -- I don't think there can be enough threads urging folks to get a flu shot. 

Mike
Title: Re: Flu shots .
Post by: Jeff G on December 14, 2013, 08:14:09 pm
MY ID doc said this years flu is the scariest one she ever has seen in 30 years .
Title: Re: Flu shots .
Post by: drewm on December 14, 2013, 09:08:16 pm
MY ID doc said this years flu is the scariest one she ever has seen in 30 years .

Glad I got my shot!  ;)
Title: Re: Flu shots .
Post by: darryaz on December 14, 2013, 09:54:56 pm
I experienced no negative reaction whatsoever to this year's vaccine.
Title: Re: Flu shots .
Post by: pittman on December 14, 2013, 11:50:18 pm
On a related note, has anyone else heard that those with compromised immune systems fair better when they get the flu shot twice?  The CDC site merely states that no study has shown a benefit for "even the elderly with a weakened immune system" but then indicated some children can benefit.

I know my own doctor reimmunized me for a couple other things after my CD4s rose above 400 saying the shots would me more effective.

I'll ask him next week when I go in for my check up, but was just curious what others experience was with their medical providers on that point.
Title: Re: Flu shots .
Post by: Miss Philicia on December 15, 2013, 12:12:45 am
The shot is supposed to last for a year I think, not just a few months during flu season.
Title: Re: Flu shots .
Post by: tednlou2 on December 15, 2013, 01:40:30 am
Got mine in October.  I also got that pneumonia 13 vaccine 8 weeks ago.  No pain or anything with either. 

Now, I did get my pneumonia 23 booster earlier in the week.  I did have my first "bad" reaction ever.  Nothing serious, but wasn't sure at first.  My arm swelled up and it looked like Popeye arm.  And, it was so sore and my arm was blazing hot.  I could barely move my arm.  I got it 5 years ago in the hospital and had no reaction at all.  I hope that never happens again.  And, it didn't help the nurse told me to watch for signs of cellulitis.  I wasn't even sure exactly what that was.  I had heard of it, but wasn't sure.  I kept watching to see if I developed any redness. 

Anyway, good reminder.  I've seen news stories how flu cases are on the rise here.  I still wonder why we don't get that new 4x strength flu vaccine that is recommended for elderly.  If it is safe, then why not?  And, there is the new 4 strain version, which protects against that additional B virus, or something like that. 
Title: Re: Flu shots .
Post by: pittman on December 15, 2013, 07:01:21 am
Hmm, that may be what I had heard mention of. . . not getting the shot twice but getting one with a higher dosage- 4x higher.

http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hiv-aids/hiv-aids-topics/hiv-related-conditions/3927-hivaids-higher-dose-flu-vaccine-works-better-for-people-with-hiv-hiv-diarrhea-drug-approved
Title: Re: Flu shots .
Post by: wolfter on December 15, 2013, 08:02:38 am
I still become astonished when I hear people discussing the vaccination.  These are the same people who assist in spreading the damn flu.

Title: Re: Flu shots .
Post by: Jeff G on December 15, 2013, 08:18:13 am
I get aggravated with the people who go on about how they cant get a flu shot because it gives them the flu when that really doesn't happen .

I do now have a new appreciation for people who think the vaccine gave them the flu after getting flu like symptoms from the vaccine this year . The robust immune response some people get feels allot like the flu and the next time someone tells me they got sick from the flu shot I will explain the facts without the ridicule and scorn I usually heap on . 

Feeling slightly crappy for a few days is better than the flu for sure . 
Title: Re: Flu shots .
Post by: emeraldize on December 15, 2013, 09:25:46 am
I've never had a crappy reaction to a flu shot and I have gotten them many years before and all the years following my diagnosis.

I suppose it's just luck. However, if I knew that feeling icky for a short period would protect me, I'd still get it.

Recently got that pneumovax booster and thankfully the nurse warned me it's a hurty shot. Yow!! But small price to pay for protection.

Title: Re: Flu shots .
Post by: Miss Philicia on December 15, 2013, 12:06:42 pm
I've had flu shots now for 20 years and never had a bad reaction, maybe at most some slight lethargy that evening which is gone the next day. If you get the flu after your shot it just means you picked up the flu right before the shot and/or you got a strain not covered by the shot. Basically people don't understand what the shot is/or does.