I am getting conflicting info on whether it s a good or bad idea to get a flu shot while you're sick?
What say TGT?
Care to elaborate?Been a nurse a long time. Never had a flu shot, never will.
Care to elaborate?
You can get the flu shot while you have the flu. As stated, there are many different strains of the flu, and the vaccine covers more than just one. So if you are sick with strain X, you can get the shot still, so that you are covered for strains Y and Z. I was told by a nurse friend of mine that this years vaccine does cover the H1N1 strain that is so prevalent this year, but he is one of those guys that just makes up things to make himself look smart sometimes....so here's your grain of salt with that bit of info.
I think you meant, "does NOT" cover H1N1. There have been stories on TV that it does not. And my doc told me it doesn't too.
The good news is that the current flu vaccines offer protection against Pandemic H1N1, as well as Influenza A H3N2 and Influenza B strains. The CDC has determined that the vaccines are well matched for the currently circulating viruses.
I've only had the actual flu once, back in the late '80s.
My reasons for not getting one annually are personal. As stated above, the flu shot is a "best guess" as to the strain that it's designed to protect you against. Even in years when they guess more correctly than not, best efficacy is around 45-55%. That's a one in two chance that the drug they're giving you will combat the circulating virus. IMO, I would rather take other precautions such as meticulous and frequent hand washing (and hand sanitizer use), avoiding crowds when and where I can, and staying in a good state of general health versus putting an unknown chemical, or more correctly - a cocktail of chemicals, in my body every year. Because I refused the annual vaccination, I was required to wear a surgical mask while at work in the hospital I worked in most recently. Something I gladly did. I had to fly to NYC in January one year for a conference... I wore a mask on the plane and I wasn't alone. That's just me though.
Further, my wife has had the annual vaccine several times and has gotten sick shortly thereafter on three occasions. I know a LOT of people that have been sick following a flu shot. My wife didn't necessarily get the flu, but the flu-shot-induced immune response most likely overwhelmed her and put her on the couch, the worst of it lasted more than a week. She hasn't had the vaccine in 5 years ... and she hasn't been sick with other than a mild head cold in that time. My kid, a 4th grader, has never had one and has yet to get the flu (knocking on wood). Thankfully, his school has a strict hand-hygiene policy that they enforce pretty firmly.
Does that mean I'm against flu shots? No. I think people who have long-term health problems or that are immunocompromised SHOULD get an annual flu shot. On this population, the flu can kill them. Otherwise, generally healthy folks should quit smoking, cut out the crap in their diet, get some regular exercise, and take appropriate precautions during flu season.
Just my .02.
Pretty much how I feel about it. If you're generally healthy the flu is no big deal, so there's no point to getting the shot. My mom gets it every year because she's in her 70's, has a few other health issues, and is always around the snot nosed sticky grand kids. It makes sense for her.Does that mean I'm against flu shots? No. I think people who have long-term health problems or that are immunocompromised SHOULD get an annual flu shot. On this population, the flu can kill them. Otherwise, generally healthy folks should quit smoking, cut out the crap in their diet, get some regular exercise, and take appropriate precautions during flu season.
The number of deaths in the U.S. from GBS is <1 per Million. The number of deaths in the U.S. from Influenza is >150 per Million. I think I'll play the odds.Once you have have a friend come down with Guillain Barré syndrome you will think twice about getting any sort of flu shot.