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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Are you getting the flu shot?
My Mum has every year for the past 6-7 - she has always had very weak lungs and since she started she's stopped getting pneumonia that always appears after she used to get the flu (or even a cold).
I know there's a lot of strong feelings on the subject, and a lot of confusion and a lot of media based fear mongering. I feel like, now that I work with children, I'm coming into an even greater exposure of the flu, but I hate using purel, so the thought of getting the flu shot (especially one that hasn't had long term testing) kinda bothers me.
What are you doing?
Re: Are you getting the flu shot?
I'm getting one next week, mainly because I would hate to get sick and pass it along to my DD. And besides that, our pediatrician also recommended that both DH & I get one anyway.
I've been getting it for the past 7 or so years as well, mainly b/c my company offers them for free at our wellness day each year. But this year, since I'm pregnant, I'm planning on getting both. Weird thing is, I don't remember them being offered when we were kids - like more than 10 years ago. I don't know if it's b/c the flu is more mobile now or something? No idea.
Also, mrspresley made a good point in another post about this:
That's my thinking on it as well.
all of this applies to me.
I am not in a risky environment and have always been very healthy - even while living and working in somewhat riskier places (living in college/sorority housing and working at jobs that forced me to be around people all the time). Right now I'm not around other people that are at an increased health risk (although if I got sick I would stay away from people regardless). I will always be open to re-evaluating my stance if needed.
The flu shot is developed way before they know the actual strain of this year's flu so there is always a chance you will get sick anyways, it's always a good idea to remain cautious and keep up with vitamins, rest, and hand washing.
as far as H1N1 goes - it's really just another strain of the flu and I am pretty confident the lack of studies is fine since it's built just like a flu shot (although those haven't been studied all that much since they change all the time....).
(however I'm still not ok with mercury additives, regardless of the fact no studies have found a link to autism. I work really hard to keep toxins out of my body so I don't feel comfortable with that aspect of any vaccine).
My sister actually has a confirmed case of h1n1. She's a sophmore in college and the swine flu has been getting around quickly since students went back a couple of weeks ago. She has no other health concerns and bounced back just fine. She was sick for about 2 days and is now on the mend. My parents told her to stay at school (once they realized it wasn't that serious) because they didn't want any possibility of her spreading the germs around here.
I'm not sure... with a leaning toward no to both shots...
My biggest question is should I have my daughter get the shots. She will be going to Japan for a week in November with my exH. I've never been, but it sure looks crammed on the subway. I worry that there is more potential to be exposed to viruses. If she gets sick there, I can't take care of her. I'm trying to balance the possibility of that with the potential for problems with the shot (and the fact that kids hate shots). My understanding is that it would be 4 shots 1 month apart... 2 of the typical flu and 2 for swine. Is that right?
My general philosophy is that our systems are strong and can handle the flu on their own. Getting an injection with a mix of weird things does not appeal to me. I have a severe reaction to sulfites, which is a preservative in many meds. Whenever I have had the flu shot, I always ask to see the ingredients. You would be shocked at how many nurses are unable to find the information. If I do get it, I will find out the pharmaceutical company and research online before getting it.
Newlyweds since 2007
This.
I am a victim of the fear-mongering but I guess I'd really consider it if I did work around kids/seniors/or had a baby.
I don't really have anything against the flu shot, I just figure I'm a healthy young person who doesn't get sick very often. I haven't had the flu since my age was in the single digits. My old boss was super-health-concerned and was always *shocked and appalled* that I did not get my flu shot every year. Yet she and her 10 year old both got the flu two years ago even though they'd had the shot; who knows whether they have the right strain in any given year, it's just so hit and miss. That said, I'm happy that my mom (who's 76, and kinda frail) has gotten her flu shot the past several years, and think it's probably a good idea for people in the greatest risk groups.
I have no problem with the safety of the H1N1 vaccine, I think it's all just silly fear-mongering. Americans really don't like being told they have to do things. But I definitely wouldn't get one of those--I heard on the news that they only had 68,000 delivered so far in NYC, which is a pretty small amount for a city that size and they should definitely be saved for those in the highest risk groups!!
Alyson & Phil | Planning Bio | Married Bio!
Dates & Quinces Blog
Huh, that is weird. I had not heard that. I have to say, I'm just not freaked out by it, though. I mean, I'm pretty sure my chances of getting breast cancer are worse than getting H1N1 (um, that sound is me knocking on wood.)
I know a couple of people who have had H1N1, including my 7-months-pregnant stepsister!, and they were fine, it didn't seem like it was too bad at all.
I've probably totally jinxed myself by saying this. I'm going to get swine flu and die now.
since I'm in a high risk group (PG) I am definitely getting it this year (already got the regular one and will get the H1N1 vax when it becomes available). I come into contact with a lot of people, DH has asthma/respiratory issues on top of working in a hospital, so we both need to get it to protect the baby. if I wasn't in a high risk group then I am not sure that I would get it....never did until I met DH and then got it for his sake b/c I didn't want him to catch it from me...
i think there is a lot of media hype that is scaring a lot of people but there are still more deaths each year from the "regular" flu than the swine flu. people are just hearing about it more now.
Jaime & Brent
Oahu, Hawaii | Sept. 9, 2005
My Food Blog - Good Eats 'n Sweet Treats
I'm definitely getting a flu shot, though I haven't decided about the H1N1 vaccine yet. I have gotten a flu shot for the past 10 years....ever since I last had the flu and was out of work for a week (haven't had it since getting the vaccine). I'm in a pretty high-risk work situation, being that not only am I a teacher, but I teach music, so the entire school from 3-year-olds through fifth grade pass through my doors each week.
MH is a doctor in a walk-in clinic (therefore sees cases of the flu pretty much everyday), and he feels very strongly about this. He insists that we both get the vaccine each year. He truly doesn't understand why people don't get it (unless, of course, they have some sort of allergy or sensitivity).
I've never had one in the past, and although I've gotten the flu a handfull of times in the last 10 years, it's never been bad enough that I felt motivated to get the flu shot. I am healthy, and not in one of the high-risk groups, and generally I am not exposed to many people at work (and being unemployed means I have even less contact with random people). I wasn't going to get either shot this year, but as I may be picking up a holiday/temp retail job (thus exposing me to people and all their germs), I may get the shots after all...
i'm prior military and get a lot of my care at the va hospital so i'm totally used to getting a million shots so the flu shot doesnt' bother me a bit.
Nope. I have never gotten a flu shot and don't plan to get one. I have never really gotten bed ridden sick (knock on wood).
This is all over the news here in DC about the possible side effect of the flu shot. How sad...
http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=92345
Are you talking regular flu shot or H1N1? I'm getting both. Marino is still "medically fragile" and has underdeveloped lungs, so our pedi told DH and I, in not so many words, that it would be irresponsible not to insulate him by vaccinating ourselves. DH probably won't be able to get H1N1 unless supply meets demand this season. I can get it through my job (government) b/c of Marino's issues.
I'm actually getting Marino the flu shot, even though he is allergic to eggs, since our pedi said a flu for him at this point would likely require hospitalization. We have to have it done at the allergist (they give a small dose, wait for a reaction, and give a second dose if he's ok). I'm not giving him H1N1, though (still too new to give to a baby under 2, IMO).
I got the flu shot last year and it was the first time I didn't get the flu!
See, I think that video is the other side of the fear mongering coin. Is anyone here a doctor or nurse? I have questions!!
Was she already genetically predisposed to the disease? I mean, I know it's a super rare one, so is it something that's genetically coded into your system. If so, could having the flu have triggered the same response? Surely she's had other shots in her life, so it shouldn't be the base they use, right?
As you can see, I'm clearly not a doctor. I'm just skeptical of all these sides that I feel like are being thrown at us.
Alyson & Phil | Planning Bio | Married Bio!
Dates & Quinces Blog
DH & I are planning to get both flu and H1N1 vaccines.
We have a pedi appointment w/DS on Friday and will inquire about both for him as well.
Yes. My H and I plan to get both the flu and H1N1 shots. My H and I have both had the flu and it was awful.
My older DD already got her flu shot and my youngest will get her flu shot at her 6 month appt in a few weeks. Both will also get the H1N1 shot as soon as it's available.
I got the regular flu shot on the recommendation of my OB/GYN. Usually, though, I don't get it. My MIL is susceptible to pneumonia too (she's almost died from it the past two winters because he has advanced COPD) and got the shot as well as everyone that lives in her house. She's also posted a "no sick visitors" sign on her door so that no one comes a knocking if they're not feeling well.
I am off to an international convention this week (for 10 days actually) and will come into contact with thousands of folks. So I am glad I got the flu shot (last month) and have also armed myself with a mini-travel lysol, Clorox Bleach Wipes (to disinfect phones, TV remotes, door knobs, etc in the hotel room and the area around my seat on the plane) as well as lots of hand sanitizer for when I am meeting and greeting all these folks.
TTC/PG Blog | Mommy Blog
i am not sure about the vaccine "triggering" an underlying disease but I did overhear MH (a doctor) talking to his colleague about the cases of swine flu they are seeing right now at the children's hospital. he said that the swine flu (not the vaccine but the flu itself) seems to have a tendency to be worse in people who have underlying neurological diseases that do not manifest themselves until these people get the flu. all of the doctors are unsure as to the link between the swine flu and neurological diseases, but it has become clear to everyone working in the hospital that there is some kind of a link.
Jaime & Brent
Oahu, Hawaii | Sept. 9, 2005
My Food Blog - Good Eats 'n Sweet Treats
We just had an appointment today and asked the nurse practitioner about this. She mentioned that in a lot of the cases of people getting really really sick from swine flu or even dying from it, there were actually other conditions present and that all the blame couldn't be placed on JUST the swine flu.
I got a flu shot today and will be getting the H1N1 shot when it becomes available. At first I wondered about the safety of the H1N1 shot because it was new and untested for a long period of time like the regular flu shot. However, this was before I realized that every flu season, the flu vaccine is basically a 'new' shot and that the H1N1 vaccine would be made in a similar way. Our hospital recommends that we get both so that's what we're going to do.
I've always considered myself pretty healthy. I've only gotten the flu once, when I was a small kid. Every year that we've visited South Carolina, John's picked up nasty colds, including one that turned into pneumonia. But I've always been okay. Aside from minor colds, I've been pretty lucky to avoid anything really bad. If I wasn't pregnant, I don't think I'd bother getting both shots but we're just being extra cautious this flu season.