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Landos Mustache · Oct 12, 2004, 02:18 PM

Whatever you answer... why?

cjrivera · Oct 12, 2004, 02:29 PM

yes, because I'm exposed to sick people all day.

placebo1969 · Oct 12, 2004, 02:29 PM

I sure hope I'll be able to get one this year, I've gotten them for the past several years. I'm 35, but 12 years ago, I had Hodgkin's Disease (cancer of lymphnodes) and it spread to my spleen, which was removed. Apparently the spleen helps fight infections. (I hadn't known that until they removed it.)

CD Hanks · Oct 12, 2004, 02:32 PM

Voted invincibility. (I have the cheat code.)

But really, I figure I should let my immune system do it's job.

E's Lil Theorem · Oct 12, 2004, 02:37 PM

Originally posted by CD Hanks:
Voted invincibility. ....

Same here, but for me it's more of a, "No, I'm too lazy to try to get one."

MacNStein · Oct 12, 2004, 02:45 PM

Yes. My mom's a nurse and makes me get one every year... drives over to my house and forces me (already did that a week ago).

BRussell · Oct 12, 2004, 02:47 PM

Sometimes. I usually get them as part of my health care stuff at work. Not this year obviously.

cjrivera · Oct 12, 2004, 02:48 PM

Originally posted by CD Hanks:
But really, I figure I should let my immune system do it's job.

That's what the flu shot does, gets your immune system ready to do its job. Since the shot introduces a part of the virus (not the live virus) into your body, the body make the antibodies early, so if you come in contact with the real virus, it can more efficiently eradicate it.

Kenneth · Oct 12, 2004, 02:50 PM

No.. and don't care.

Turias · Oct 12, 2004, 02:51 PM

I usually do, but I won't this year. I'd rather help make sure that there are enough shots for the elderly to get them.

CD Hanks · Oct 12, 2004, 02:55 PM

Originally posted by cjrivera:
That's what the flu shot does, gets your immune system ready to do its job. Since the shot introduces a part of the virus (not the live virus) into your body, the body make the antibodies early, so if you come in contact with the real virus, it can more efficiently eradicate it.

I understand how the flu shot works. But I'd rather avoid artificial intervention to allow my immune system to adapt to a virus.

On top of which, I know too many people who get sick as dogs for up to two weeks due to the shot. Again, I realize why, but come on. I haven't been "sick" in almost a year.

ManOfSteal · Oct 12, 2004, 02:57 PM

Hell yes...especially since working in a school district...

cjrivera · Oct 12, 2004, 03:04 PM

Originally posted by CD Hanks:
I understand how the flu shot works. But I'd rather avoid artificial intervention to allow my immune system to adapt to a virus.

On top of which, I know too many people who get sick as dogs for up to two weeks due to the shot. Again, I realize why, but come on. I haven't been "sick" in almost a year.

Sorry. I wasn't lecturing/preaching that you should get the shot. And for young healthy people, it's probably not a big deal.

The little blurb about the shot came out out of habit, as a lot of people I talk to don't realize that it is still your immune system that fights the flu, or think they are getting a live virus and can "get the flu" from the shot.

Landos Mustache · Oct 12, 2004, 03:05 PM

Originally posted by CD Hanks:
I understand how the flu shot works. But I'd rather avoid artificial intervention to allow my immune system to adapt to a virus.

But you are ok with anti-depressants?

CD Hanks · Oct 12, 2004, 03:06 PM

Originally posted by Landos Mustache:
But you are ok with anti-depressants?

I haven't been on with anti-depressants for nearly two years.

But you keep beating that dead horse, cause someone sure as **** has to!

Luca Rescigno · Oct 12, 2004, 03:06 PM

I'm 20 and in good health. A little flu isn't going to kill me. Besides, there are shortages and I really should let the people who NEED the shot get it.

Come to think of it, I haven't gotten a flu shot in something like four or five years. I think I ended up getting the flu once in that time period. Not a big deal.

MallyMal · Oct 12, 2004, 03:08 PM

No, I have never gotten a flu shot. In fact, I haven't taken any form of medication in the last 10 years. I haven't been sick in 3 years. And when do get sick it only lasts a day or so.

Atomic Rooster · Oct 12, 2004, 03:23 PM

Last few years...yes.

My doctor asks if I would like one and I say sure.

It's amazing the number of people who think the 'flu' is a minor thing like a cold.

Influenza is very deadly.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/pandemics.htm

Landos Mustache · Oct 12, 2004, 03:38 PM

Originally posted by CD Hanks:
I haven't been on with anti-depressants for nearly two years.

But you keep beating that dead horse, cause someone sure as **** has to!

I don't care if you are on them or not. I just think it is strange that you object to the flu shot but can go on Anti-depressants as a teenager. I mean, what teenager isn't depressed.

mdc · Oct 12, 2004, 03:40 PM

i can't remember the last time i had the flu, and i don't think i have ever gotten a flu shot. not that i can remember at least.

funny story. a few years ago my girlfriend and her family all got the flu shot, i didn't. they all got the flu, in bed for days, i was fine. heh heh heh.

CD Hanks · Oct 12, 2004, 03:47 PM

Originally posted by Landos Mustache:
I don't care if you are on them or not. I just think it is strange that you object to the flu shot but can go on Anti-depressants as a teenager. I mean, what teenager isn't depressed.

You're failing to realize that a minor in this country has little authority over what medications they must take. On top of which, you also just can't quite seem to grasp how someone's opinion or viewpoint on something can change...over two years.

TheBadgerHunter · Oct 12, 2004, 04:15 PM

No I don't get them and yes there's a shortage here. I had the flu last week.

the_glassman · Oct 12, 2004, 05:49 PM

I don't get sick. When I do my immune system does a great job taking care of me. I haven't had health insurance for the past 12 years. I don't take any kind of pills. I don't eat meat. I will probably die before I'm 30!

I do however think it's pretty funny everyone lines up for a flu shot. Well shots work well for somethings (small pox) I think a flu shot could do more harm then good. Seeing as it's supposed to be manufactured on a guess months before the flu even makes it over here.

ThinkInsane · Oct 12, 2004, 05:56 PM

Originally posted by Luca Rescigno:
I'm 20 and in good health. A little flu isn't going to kill me. Besides, there are shortages and I really should let the people who NEED the shot get it.

Come to think of it, I haven't gotten a flu shot in something like four or five years. I think I ended up getting the flu once in that time period. Not a big deal.

We had a 19 year old, otherwise healthy girl, die in our ER of flu last year. Don't kid yourself, thousands of people die from it every year, and it's not just infants and geriatrics.

I just got my flu shot about 15 minutes ago at work. Working in a hospital, it would be kind of foolish not to get it, especially since it�s offered free and they come right to you to give it. Might be a little late though, I think I might already be coming down with it. Hopefully is just a cold or allergies.

ringo · Oct 12, 2004, 05:57 PM

No, I'd rather leave my immune system to its own devices. It's been years since I've been sick. Should I evenually catch the flu, the worst that will happen is I'll miss a few days of work and get to sleep a lot and lay around in my pajamas, drinking orange juice and playing with my gameboy. I should be so lucky!

ThinkInsane · Oct 12, 2004, 06:07 PM

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articl...77/ai_99237596

Those of you that think the flu gets you a few days off of work need to do a little research. 20,000 deaths per year do to influenza. That's just in the US alone.

wdlove · Oct 12, 2004, 06:50 PM

Yes. I have got the flu shot yearly for more than 30 years. Part of the time was as a member of the USAR, it was required. It was highly recommended for medical personnel. Now I'm in the age group, that is highly recommended to have the flu shot.

ringo · Oct 12, 2004, 07:17 PM

Originally posted by ThinkInsane:
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articl...77/ai_99237596

Those of you that think the flu gets you a few days off of work need to do a little research. 20,000 deaths per year do to influenza. That's just in the US alone.

Yep, and over 784,000 people die every year in the US because of medical mistakes.

I'll take my chances with the flu, thanks.

Scifience · Oct 12, 2004, 07:28 PM

No....

I'm scared of needles.

TheBadgerHunter · Oct 12, 2004, 07:49 PM

I may not take the flu shot but I do take other things. Euchenacea, vitamin c, etc work wonders. I've only had one flu in the last few years and I only had it for 3 days while everyone else who got it had it for a week.

DeathToWindows · Oct 12, 2004, 07:49 PM

No, for the following reasons:

1. It's guesswork on the part of the producer... and as far as I know, they're not all that accurate.
2. Let someone else who needs it get one... I can risk it (teenage male).

Xeo · Oct 12, 2004, 07:52 PM

I have the opportunity to get it free and even have it taken at home (by an RN). I choose not to. Mostly because I don't get sick. I haven't had the flu since I was a young teenager. All the times I was "sick" during high school was just so I could stay home. So until I have a good reason to think my immune system can't handle it, I'll pass.

Logic · Oct 12, 2004, 08:03 PM

No and I just don't think it's a good idea for young healthy people unless they work around kids(schools etc) or at hospitals. Our immune system is there for a reason and if we don't let it do it's work every now and then it gets less effective. The flu doesn't kill healthy young people.

BRussell · Oct 12, 2004, 08:27 PM

The flu shot is not available to me this year, at least not for the foreseeable future. My wife works in a hospital and will get it this week. But is it even available this year to folks in the US who are not either old or work in health care or are otherwise at high risk? How are you people getting it this year?

the_glassman · Oct 12, 2004, 08:32 PM

Demonhood · Oct 12, 2004, 09:46 PM

i don't ever recall getting one.

Zimmerman · Oct 12, 2004, 11:39 PM

After getting about a quart of vaccinations and other shots plugged into me when I joined the Army, and considering I run a lot and am in good shape, I figure I'll let my [very capable] immune system handle it. If I do feel myself getting sick, I up my vitamin C intake via OJ and my supplements and it usually only lasts 2-3 days in a really bad case.

Atomic Rooster · Oct 12, 2004, 11:43 PM

Originally posted by Xeo:
I have the opportunity to get it free...

You're the second person mentioning that you have access to it free. Do you mean people actually have to pay for it�

???

Disgruntled Head of C-3PO · Oct 13, 2004, 12:54 AM

Ya, does anyone have to pay for it?

yukon · Oct 13, 2004, 02:04 AM

Good question, the flu shot.

I've gotten it before, it was a normal thing for me at one point. Now, not so much. Whenever I know people have gotten the shot, soon after they become sick. Not sure if the vaccines use active-yet-weakened viruses (I'm told flu shots don't, though I know it's a method), if there's some allergen in the vaccine (preservative, etc), or just if a healthy body's immune reaction to dead viruses can make a person very ill, I just know what I see every year.

Free in Canadia, in the US some organization gave it for free to people with (potentially) compromised immune systems, not sure how it's done in general.