Flu Shots

[EuropeanFootballMale]

Yes. The whole point of the flu shot is to keep you from getting the flu... but the shot itself GIVES you the flu. I know it's dead flu, but dead flu is still the flu. Just like how dead broccoli is still broccoli and a dead person is still a person, dead flu is still flu. So if the whole point is to keep me from getting the flu, the flu shot achieves the very thing it's trying to prevent. And THAT, my esteemed friend, is a reason not to get a flu shot.

(No, I'm not trolling. Yes, I'm serious... but not really. I don't get a flu shot, but that's more because I just don't ever get sick. Maybe someday I'll start getting one.

I assumed he meant real reasons and not homeless man shouting at a street light reasons, but maybe that was my mistake.

[marsupial]

I have only gotten the flu shot when I have a baby and that also seems to be the only time I ever get the flu. Could be a coincindence. Both times I had the flu and a small baby, my baby stayed healthy despite all the close contact with a sick mom. I attribute that to the antibodies they were getting from my breastmilk. So maybe instead of getting poked with sharp needle your best defense is latching on to a lactating breast.

[Katy Lied]

I got a flu shot this year because our work in cooperation with our insurance was providing them and with a pregnant wife I figured...why not?

Well at the end of November I got a laryngitis/bronchitis double.

New Years Eve we had to cancel plans to eat at Communal because I was running a fever of 102.

First week of February I got cold, sore throat, cough...etc.

Abnormal for me to say the least.

Obviously it wasn't the cause of my getting sick, but the flu shot did me no good. I'm never getting one again.

So you got a flu shot, and then you got:

laryngitis
bronchitis
fever
cold
sore throat
cough

and you're saying the flu shot didn't work?

[Surfah]

I get a flu shot most years and have since the mission when our MP's wife (an RN) made us all get them. The last two year's have been free at our health dept. I got the mist this year. Sniff.

[happyone]

As a member of 2 groups that are recommended to get flu shots, plus work provides them - I get a flu shot every year.

It normally makes me slightly ill, but it is much better than getting an actual case of the flu - which I have also had, the one year I didn't get a shot.

[creekster]

My wife is a nazi about flu shots and the whole family gets them every year. I don't ever recall getting sick or experiencing symptoms that I attributed to the shot.

Never.

I have also not had the flu for as long as I can recall. I am usually pretty healthy, but I do get the occasional cold, but never the flu.

[ERCougar]

One year, we spent a week up at my SIL's house during flu season. It literally laid low every person in the household (total of 14) except for me and my SIL. Both of us work in the ER and got the flu shot.

[TripletDaddy]

I don't know any of ya'll, but I do know several people who use the "I always get sicker with a flu shot" line and without fail they are suffering from acute cases of confirmation bias.

Admittedly, I might be suffering from confirmation bias. That is, if the symptoms of confirmation bias are soreness, fever, exhausted/sleepy, loss of appetite, etc.

[Donuthole]

One year, we spent a week up at my SIL's house during flu season. It literally laid low every person in the household (total of 14) except for me and my SIL. Both of us work in the ER and got the flu shot.

I had a very similar experience over Thanksgiving a few years ago. 8 or 9 people in the house, and I was the only one who didn't get sick. Also, I was the only one who didn't get a flu shot.

I guess my point is that your story and my story are both anecdotal. Only I didn't need a flu shot to kick ass. And I eat meat. So I've got you and taekwondave both whooped. It was unusually warm in Northern Utah that year, so I golfed while everybody else was back at the house wallowing in sickness.

[DU Ute]

So you got a flu shot, and then you got:

laryngitis
bronchitis
fever
cold
sore throat
cough

and you're saying the flu shot didn't work?

Awesome

[ERCougar]

I had a very similar experience over Thanksgiving a few years ago. 8 or 9 people in the house, and I was the only one who didn't get sick. Also, I was the only one who didn't get a flu shot.

I guess my point is that your story and my story are both anecdotal. Only I didn't need a flu shot to kick ass. And I eat meat. So I've got you and taekwondave both whooped. It was unusually warm in Northern Utah that year, so I golfed while everybody else was back at the house wallowing in sickness.

Absolutely. I'm switching to all meat and no flu shots.

Sure there are problems with anecdotal evidence. Except when it's backed by well-designed and large randomized control trials. My anecdote kicks your anecdote's ass.

[Donuthole]

Absolutely. I'm switching to all meat and no flu shots.

Sure there are problems with anecdotal evidence. Except when it's backed by well-designed and large randomized control trials. My anecdote kicks your anecdote's ass.

Leave science and fact out of this, please.

[woot]

Says whatever department is pushing them...

The flu is weak-ass, dude.

Aww you mean you're actually a paranoid tin-foil hatter? And to think I agreed with you about the dairy lobbyists.

I don't know. But the flu for me is so easy to beat. I just go tanning all winter. When I DO get it every five years, I take some stuff to make me puke, then a strong laxative, take a nap for an hour and it's gone. But how many people are cool with puking and voluntary diarrhea? I understand many wanting the shot. To me it's a complete waste of money, and the fact that so many people I know get the flu DESPITE getting the shot? That just cinches it for me.

Dude you sound like Charlie Sheen. This is some seriously insane stuff here.

Also, if you didn't read my other thread, I don't eat meat or dairy. I basically never get sick.

Those two facts are not related any more than the facts that you are using the internet and wearing pants.

[taekwondave]

every time i see your name, i can't help it:

this....may become my avatar

[taekwondave]

taekwondave, I'm not sure I can empathize with your understanding of the pathology of the flu virus. Your medicinal practices sound very Ancient Greek purging to me.

When you can beat the flu in three hours using one of YOUR methods, I'd love to talk.