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Health officials are advising we get flu shots early

6 years ago

Flu season peaks in August and September in Australia but this year it peaked in July. There were over 270,000 cases of flu reported in Australia, making this the worst flu season in their history.

https://thehill.com/homenews/news/463354-azar-other-public-health-officials-press-people-to-get-flu-shots-early

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PRO

mdln

6 years ago

@ toby, yes! Here is research published last October. Less likely to need hospital admission, less likely to be admitted to ICU, and less likely to die.

Influenza vaccine effectiveness in reducing severe outcomes over six influenza seasons

https://www.eurosurveillance.org/content/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2018.23.43.1700732?rel=0

People often get an infection from one of the >200 respiratory viruses (rhinovirus, corona virus, parainfluenza, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial, etc.) and think it is the "flu" because there are some common symptoms.

In the ED, patients often seem disappointed when I tell them their flu testing was negative and symptoms are more consistent with the "common cold," so we tell them they have a viral respiratory infection.

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Comments (49)

Uptown Gal
6 years ago
And, it takes about 2 weeks to become fully effective. Had mine on the 24th.
Uptown Gal
6 years ago
Wouldn't let me "edit"...so, hope the shots work this year...nothing is guaranteed. Had the nasty stuff years ago, and sure don't want that again.
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Comments (28)
I didn't get a flu shot this yr. But I got the flu and pneumonia about 4 weeks ago. It's been rampant here in Northern CA. Symptoms are different for everyone. My doctor said they weren't even testing for Swine Flu unless you fit in the high risk category... under 25 or over 75, or were hospitalized. Even tho I have asthma, I wasn't considered high risk. He said anyone getting the flu at this early stage, they consider it to be Swine Flu, because the "usual" seasonal flu doesn't arrive until December. This flu is mostly in the chest. It was horrible. Mine started with aching bones, not muscles, and a raspy throat. Then came the horrible cough. Next the fever and chills, with the worst body aches I've ever had. That went on for nearly 5 full days. I wanted to die. The body aches were the worst part of it. I have arthritis throughout my whole body, and every joint felt like knives were being stabbed into them. Ibuprofen only relieved the pain for about 3-4 hours at 8 hour intervals. The chills would put me in bed with tons of covers, freezing for a couple hours. Then all of a sudden, I'd get burning hot and have to throw everything off me trying to cool down. Luckily, I didn't get any nausea or diarrhea, like some people have. But I had almost no appetite and lost several pounds. (of course I gained some of it back already) On the 4th day, I went to the doctor, and he gave me (and my husband) Tamiflu. My husband only had the chills and light body aches and a slight cough for about 2 days. My aches and fever went away a day later, but the cough lasted another week. I decided to go back to the doc again, because I could feel it going into my chest. He sent me for X-rays, and said I had pneumonia. Was on heavy duty antibiotics for 5 days. The cough and laryngitis continued for almost a week after that. I went for my recheck last week, and he told me I need to go for X-rays again in a couple weeks to be sure it's all cleared out. I'm fine now, but I tell ya... I never want to go thru that again! The flu part of it was actually worse than the pneumonia. I've had pneumonia twice before. I've also had influenza a couple times in my life, but never like this one. My doctor told me I can look back and say that I survived the Swine Flu. I guess I'm just lucky I didn't get bad enough to end up in the hospital. I wouldn't bother with the regular flu shot. But if you can get the H1N1 shot... Get it! You don't want to get this crap!! In our area, they've only had enough vaccines to give the kids and high risk adults. The pharmacies have been out of Tamiflu. My mom just called and said she was getting a slight cough and sore throat. I hope she can fight it off. She's 91. My niece who lives with her had the flu the same time I did, and I'm surprsed my mom didn't get it earlier. I hope she doesn't get any worse. She's not well, and it could kill her.
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Comments (52)
People don't know that there are many different types of flu-shot made by different companies, and some are safe, some aren't. I got the FLUVIRIN brand, but YOU MAY GET SOME OTHER BRAND MADE BY A DIFFERENT COMPANY. DIDN'T KNOW THAT UNTIL I REPORT MY ADVERSE REACTION TO VAERS, AND HAD TO CHOOSE A LONG LIST OF FLU-SHOTS, WITH DIFFERENT NAMES & DIFFERENT COMPANIES. I got most of the side-effects listed on Sam's club pharmacy receipt: burning numbness, very bad dizziness, very bad headache, muscle pain, upset stomach, throwing up, loose stools. Reading through all the threads in Houzz, I found one 58 year old previously active & healthy Dad died of flu-shot, lots of people complain of catching a cold right after the flu shot ... so bad that they never get a flu shot again. Just avoiding sugar is cheaper than getting a flu-shot, since sugar is known to suppress the immune system. "In the book "Get The Sugar Out" by Ann Louise Gittleman M.S. C.N.S says, "No matter what form it takes, sugar paralyzes the immune system in a variety of ways: Sugar has been proven to destroy the germ-killing ability of white blood cells for up to five hours after ingestion. People don't realize that Google News, which constantly remind people to get flu-shot, is funded by vaccine maker, same with CDC, and same with doctors (wine & dined by pharma companies). Excerpt on flu-shot from below link: http://www.ithinkwecouldbefriends.com/2013/11/01/little-known-facts-flu-shot/ "Plus ALL vaccines depress your immune system functioning for up to several weeks, which means you are FAR more susceptible to flu varieties for which you have not been vaccinated. So you might be looking at bronchitis, upper respiratory infection or a stomach bug…which you might NOT have contracted if you DIDN’Tget a flu shot." Plus vaccinations inject proteins directly into your bloodstream and this is not good ... shooting full-blown proteins into your blood vessels with a vaccine (and bypassing the GI tract) puts your immune system on high alert and can eventually elicit inappropriate immune responses. That’s why many people find themselves developing asthma or allergies when they never had a problem with them in the past!" *** From Straw: My doc-sister also warned me of suppressed immune system. My doc-sister who got flu-shot yearly is the only one in the family with asthma. I developed an allergic reaction to peanuts after my flu-shot a decade ago, along with 1 week of dizziness. Same with my kid when she was given flu-shot when she was between 1 and 2 year-old, she developed 2 colds within a month of each other, plus vertigo. We have to rock her to sleep, the minute we put her down (change in position cause vertigo), she would screamed in pain. She could no longer do roll-over after the flu-shot, and dropped out of gymnastic the 1st day. She also developed a peanut-butter allergy. Both I and my husband got the same flu-shot, but he's OK, while I came down with suppressed immune system, and caught 2 flu in a row, making it month-long suffering. Also he's 6 feet, while I'm only 4'10", perhaps the dose was too strong for my size. So my 2 flu-in-a row is A DIRECT CONSEQUENCE OF FLU-SHOT, my M.D. sister already warned me about flu-shot suppress immune system, but she believed in the LIE posted by CDC website and recommended me to get the shot. I haven't seen the doc in 9 years (we have good insurance), since I'm healthy & active. I'm seeing the doc this Wednesday. Never been that sick in my life, thanks to that shot on Dec. 19. http://www.intoxicatedonlife.com/2014/10/15/truth-about-flu-vaccine/ In Are US Flu Death Figures More Public Relations than Science?, an aptly named article in the British Journal of Medicine, the author reports: “[According to CDC statistics], ‘influenza and pneumonia’ took 62,034 lives in 2001—61,777 of which were attributable to pneumonia and 257 to flu, and in only 18 cases was the flu virus positively identified.”1 Do you see what the CDC did? They combined both Influenza and Pneumonia deaths so as to inflate the numbers and make it look like more of a problem than it was. They estimated what the flu related deaths are and did not report on the actual number, which was 18. Fact #2: The statistics that the CDC throws around regarding death from influenza are grossly exaggerated. Furthermore, much of the research out there has been funded by the vaccine makers. Not only this, but the Journal of Virology found the immune systems of children who have been vaccinated against seasonal flu strains are weakened, making them more susceptible to becoming infected with flu strains not included in the vaccine. T cells are essential for immunity. This study found that the T cell response was absent in the vaccinated children. Fact #5: The flu shot may help you avoid some strains of the flu virus, but it will also likely decrease your ability to fight off other strains of the flu virus. They reported an 8.5% flu risk for those who had been vaccinated and an 8.9% risk for those who have been unvaccinated along with other infections. Vaccine inserts, they range from mild to severe. Some of the fairly common side effects include: pain (64%), fever (29%), fatigue (20%), headaches (26%), nausea/vomiting (12%), runny nose/nasal congestion, (58%), decreased appetite, (21%). Fact #8: Millions more people are getting the flu vaccine, but there is no evidence that there has been a decrease in flu related mortality. In fact, it appears the more people get the vaccine, the higher the death rates become in the elderly. http://www.intoxicatedonlife.com/2014/10/15/truth-about-flu-vaccine/
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Comments (35)
"Influenza may cause bad cold symptoms. But in the United States alone,36,000 people die and more than 200,000 are hospitalized each year because of the flu. MYTH: You can't spread the flu if you're feeling well. Actually, 20% to 30% of people carrying the influenza virus have no symptoms." 10 Flu Myths If you’ve ever had the flu, you know how sick you can be. Chances are good that some of the advice friends and family gave you about avoiding or dealing with the flu was wrong. There seems to be no shortage of misinformation and bad advice when it comes to dealing with the flu. Here are 10 common myths about the flu. MYTH: You can catch the flu from the vaccine. The vaccine is made from an inactivated virus that can’t transmit infection. So people who get sick after receiving a flu vaccination were going to get sick anyway. It takes a week or two to get protection from the vaccine. But people assume that because they got sick after getting the vaccine, the shot caused their illness. MYTH: Healthy people don’t need to be vaccinated. It’s true that the flu vaccination is routinely recommended for people who have a chronic illness. But anyone — even healthy folks — can benefit from being vaccinated. Current guidelines suggest that children ages 6 months to 19 years old, pregnant women, and anyone over age 49 be vaccinated each year. In addition, the flu shot is recommended for healthy people who might spread the virus to others who are particularly susceptible. For this reason, health care workers are routinely advised to get the flu vaccination to protect their patients. MYTH: Getting the flu vaccination is all you need to do to protect yourself from the flu. There are a number of steps you can take to protect yourself during flu season besides vaccination. Avoid contact with people who have the flu, wash your hands frequently, and consider taking anti-viral medications if you were exposed to the flu before being vaccinated. MYTH: The flu is just a bad cold. Influenza may cause bad cold symptoms. But in the United States alone, 36,000 people die and more than 200,000 are hospitalized each year because of the flu. MYTH: You can’t spread the flu if you’re feeling well. Actually, 20% to 30% of people carrying the influenza virus have no symptoms. MYTH: You don’t need to get a flu shot every year. The influenza virus changes (mutates) each year. So getting vaccinated each year is important to make sure you have immunity to the strains most likely to cause an outbreak. MYTH: You can catch the flu from going out in cold weather without a coat, with wet hair or by sitting near a drafty window. The only way to catch the flu is by being exposed to the influenza virus. Flu season coincides with the cold weather. So people often associate the flu with a cold, drafty environment. But, they are not related. MYTH: Feed a cold, starve a fever. If you have the flu (or a cold) and a fever, you need more fluids. There’s little reason to increase or decrease how much you eat. Though you may have no appetite, “starving” yourself will accomplish little. And poor nutrition will not help you get better. MYTH: Chicken soup will speed your recovery from the flu. Hot liquids can soothe a sore throat and provide much needed fluids. But chicken soup has no other specific qualities that can help fight the flu. MYTH: If you have a high fever with the flu that lasts more than a day or two, antibiotics may be necessary. Antibiotics work well against bacteria, but they aren’t effective for a viral infection like the flu. Then again, some people develop a bacterial infection as a complication of the flu, so it may be a good idea to get checked out if your symptoms drag on or worsen. The flu is a good example of how medical myths can get in the way of good medical care. When it’s flu season, take the necessary steps to stay healthy. That includes separating fact from myth. http://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/10-flu-myths
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Another off-topic vaccine question. What about HPV vaccinations? Anyone who has had more than one partner, or has a partner who ever had another partner, could be at risk. My doctor told me that even long-term married people can pass the infection back and forth, if one or both was ever exposed in their younger years. The virus never goes away once infected. The immune system usually makes it dormant but it can flare up decades later and infect a partner, even if you've been monogamous for a long time. And if someone becomes divorced or widowed, and remarries, they are open to new exposure regardless of age. Hopefully everyone is doing their part to eradicate HPV as well, men included. Even if you've already been exposed, there are many different strains and the vaccine protects against multiple strains.
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rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
6 years ago
For those who are 65 and over, don't forget to ask for the senior vaccine. It offers more protection.
TXSkeeter
6 years ago
Read an article several days ago in some senior publication to investigate the difference between the two current flu vaccines before you choose which one to get OR ask your doctor's opinion before you choose. It noted that the vaccine for the three most common types of flu is slightly stronger than the newer vaccine that is formulated for four types of flu. For older folks, the author's stated opinion was that for seniors, the stronger version (3 types) may be advantageous over the weaker but more encompassing version (4 types). Any post vaccine shot side effects noted were similar between the two choices so no difference there to speak of.

As a disclaimer, I have no issue with either vaccine that my doc or health professional suggests I/we get... I'm just forwarding information that I read and thought it might be of interest to the group. Apparently sometimes more is better and sometimes it's not.
always1stepbehind
6 years ago
last year was my first time getting a flu shot...The Rite Aid pharmacist got me. This year I got it when I went in for my yearly check up a couple weeks ago.
morz8 - Washington Coast
6 years ago
We'll be going sometime in the next couple of weeks for ours. Most years we've had them by Halloween and i thought a little earlier this season. Last year - for some reason we didn't get around to it until later and the only pharmacy in town with the senior dose was Walmart - our local store's pharmacy does not have a good reputation for efficiency or few errors and we don't use it.

We got the broader spectrum shots. The Rite Aid pharmacist said active and healthy, he felt it was still a good choice for us both. It was that, or leave town after making some phone calls and finding out who had serum left and where (in early Nov). Neither of us had flu but I'd like the choice of which shot this year, not 'this one or nothing' ;0)
terilyn
6 years ago
We all got ours several weeks ago. We had two friends that came down with it in August. Doctors said last year’s strain never left!
Lars
6 years ago
I got my flu shot yesterday at my doctor's office when I went in for my
annual physical. I got the new shingles vaccine (first dose) just about
three weeks ago in Cathedral City. I had had the prescription for
months but the drug stores in Los Angeles never had it in stock. I have
to go back for the second vaccine three to six months after the first
vaccine, and so I put it on my calendar.
PRO
mdln
6 years ago
Some flu info...

Onset, peaks, and duration over past several years:

Flu types last year:

Pediatric deaths from the flu:

Wish it was 100%, but few things are:
PRO
mdln
6 years ago
https://www.cdc.gov/cdctv/diseaseandconditions/influenza/why-flu-vaccinations-matter.html
NewEnglandgal
6 years ago
I got the flu shot last year and still got the flu. I had a friend who got the stronger version and she said she was sick as a dog. Pro's and cons to both getting it and not getting it. Elderly should definitely have it.
Eileen
Original Author
6 years ago
Mdln, is the flu one of those diseases where if you had the vaccine and still get the flu, it lessens the symptoms?
NewEnglandgal
6 years ago
Toby it sure did not lessen mine! I had to go to the ER I was so sick!
cooper8828
6 years ago
My office is in the Department of Health building for my region. I was speaking with the nurse manager the other day about when I should get my flu shot. Building policy is by October 1 or your have to wear a mask. She says probably we should be revaccinated in January and pulled out all these graphs showing why (very late flu season here last year). Since our insurance will only pay for one vaccine, she is trying to get the state to pay for a second one. We will see...
PRO
Anglophilia
6 years ago
Need to get mine this weekend! I always try to get them by the end of Sept.
salonva
6 years ago
I was planning to get it when I go for my scheduled annual the first week in November. Now I am thinking maybe I should see if I can just get the shot sooner. FWIW I generally have very good resistance and just realized I have not seen the dr since my last annual check up and subsequent blood work.
functionthenlook
6 years ago
I like to wait till mid October. We are all stuck inside because of the weather usually from November thru March spreading germs. If I get it too early the effectiveness of the immunization wears off before the flu season is waning.
graywings123
6 years ago
functionthenlook - I told that theory to my pharmacist, and he said it is not true. The effectiveness doesn't wear off before the season wanes. The problem is that the virus mutates, so it is possible to be more vulnerable later in the season. But getting the vaccine later will not help that.
User
6 years ago
Flu shots won't be available here until mid-October. We are already getting in all our supplies (gloves, needles, alcohol swabs), just waiting for the flu shots to arrive, but it'll be a few more weeks.

I never get the flu shot.
functionthenlook
6 years ago
The effectiveness of the flu shot is 6 months. Getting it in October gives us maximum protection during high flu season. Of course only for the strains that the flu shot contains. What strains will be prevalent in a flu season is an educated guess.
bob_cville
6 years ago
For a few seconds I thought that this comment that mdln made:

Wish it was 100%, but few things are:

was associated with the image that preceded it which is titled

Pediatric deaths from the flu:
sealavender
6 years ago
Going today to get it. My healthcare practice has an "open house."
Elmer J Fudd
6 years ago
My now retired doc, wise from years or practice, always advised me to get it in October. He's retired and I'm with another one but I continue to follow that advice.
Zalco/bring back Sophie!
6 years ago
Re-vaccinated in January? Has anyone else heard of this?
Elmer J Fudd
6 years ago
No
functionthenlook
6 years ago
It's not as important where or when in the fall you get vaccinated. You can get vaccinated in September or procrastinate and get it in December. What is important is that you just get vaccinated. If you medically can. Also wash those hands!
Uptown Gal
6 years ago
Not sure a December vaccination would do much good for the flu hitting in

October. But...yep...washing those hands can make a difference.
functionthenlook
6 years ago
No it doesn't help if the flu hits in October, but it helps not to get the flu or even better transmit the flu to someone else during the high season than not getting the shot at all.
Uptown Gal
6 years ago
Ah, I see what you meant. But, they are forecasting that "high season" is

starting in October this year. They are "guessing" of course, but I think

they guess better than I can (most of the time?) ;) Or, were you not speaking

about this year? Just in general? Sorry...I am slow this morning.
functionthenlook
6 years ago
I didn't read what is predicted to be high season this year. Wow that is early. I was just speaking in general. Yes, when and what strains will hit this year is an educated guessing game.
sealavender
6 years ago
The materials I received yesterday indicated that children 6 mos to 8 years may need 2 doses during a single flu season. Everyone else needs only 1.
PRO
mdln
6 years ago
ldstarr
6 years ago
Just got mine Friday. I had an appointment for follow-up from another health issue and got it while I was there.
katlan
6 years ago
We got ours last week.
PRO
Anglophilia
6 years ago
Got mine today! Made my deadline (always end of Sept).
cynic
6 years ago
I got mine a week or two ago when I needed a blood test. I usually preferred to wait until late October so it carried me through the worst part which is usually around Feb-Mar. A flu shot is only good for about 5 months (give or take a bit), not a year like many think. Never used to get flu shots until about 8-10 years ago and I did get the flu a couple times at first. Supposedly it should help keep the severity down and make recovery faster but it's an assumption that the vaccine covers the strain you get. When you run an effectiveness of 10-15% as flu vaccines often do, it's common to question whether it's good or not. I've come to terms with the small benefit still being advantageous.
PRO
mdln
6 years ago
joann_fl
6 years ago
I had mine in March of this year, do I need another one?
functionthenlook
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Joann, yes you do. The flu shot lasts at the max 6 months.
marylmi
6 years ago
I stopped in to Walgreens yesterday to get my flu shot but they were all out of the stronger version and won't be getting it in until a week or so. I'll just wait. I could go somewhere else of course, but I am happy with their service.
LoneJack Zn 6a, KC
6 years ago
They are having a flu shot clinic at my office next Tuesday. I have the 1st appointment!
chloebud
6 years ago
Got mine at Sam's Club last week, along with the pneumonia shot (first time for that one).

I've been getting the flu shot for 5 years now. I have to say, I never got as sick before getting the shot. Something severe usually hits me about 3-4 months later. However, I won't stop getting the shot.
Uptown Gal
6 years ago
I know this thread is a bit old...but don't forget...the shot doesn't take effect

immediately..it takes a couple of weeks to be fully effective. And, if you

"got the flu from having the shot"...you were already exposed to the flu

when you had the shot.
morz8 - Washington Coast
6 years ago
Marylmi, I had trouble finding one for my mother earlier this week too. I checked at two Kaiser facilities near her residence and neither had the senior dose. We had taken her for a doctors appointment and DH said, I'll just pay for the shot for her at the Walgreens clinic back at her residence then (Walgreens doesn't process Kaiser ins). Walgreens was holding a clinic at a senior living facility with no senior dose shots - they were giving everyone the shot for the 'normal' population. I chose not to have her vaccinated (92 and frail). Will have to keep working on it, Kaiser said they thought they should have some in a few days.

We hadn't been vaccinated either and we get the senior dose. The first place I called Wednesday when we were home again was out and they couldn't guarantee they would have more. They suggested Safeway as still having some. They did. We got our shots at the Safeway pharmacy. Which still doesn't help Mom at 120 miles away but I'm in touch with Kaiser and fingers are crossed. And FYI, the Safeway pharmacist said when his was gone, there would be no more there. He estimated he had enough to cover the next two or so days.
marylmi
6 years ago
I think I'll call Walgreens pharmacy in the morning and ask about the shot again( last time I asked at the front counter) and maybe they will put me on the list to call when it comes in.
breenthumb
6 years ago
Senior vaccine is out of stock at several places here too. They say until mid week next week. My annual physical is Tues. I'm hoping they have it. In the meantime, I'll see if any places have lists going. They didn't mention or offer that option when I was there. Friend got hers a week ago at Walmart.
terilyn
6 years ago
One of our hospitals used to do drive through shots, they quit doing it several years ago. I’m sure more people were vaccinated that way, it was so easy.
salonva
6 years ago
The post with the image that Mdlin shared is really so spot on. Vaccines- it isn't always about you. Excellent reminder.

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