Do you get the flu shot?
- Thread starter fernie
- Start date
Upside:
Our office encourages people to get the flu shot to the point that if you bring in proof of the procedure from the doctor (A Doctor's note will do and not a self inflicted pin prick to the arm) you will receive $30 on your next paycheck.
Downside:
The amount of lost time due to colds/flu at work HAS not decreased as a result. Please remember that the flu shot is a “best guess� as to the type of flu that is expected to hit and that there are thousands of flu types.
It's free so as Goober says, why not?
Our office encourages people to get the flu shot to the point that if you bring in proof of the procedure from the doctor (A Doctor's note will do and not a self inflicted pin prick to the arm) you will receive $30 on your next paycheck.
Downside:
The amount of lost time due to colds/flu at work HAS not decreased as a result. Please remember that the flu shot is a “best guess� as to the type of flu that is expected to hit and that there are thousands of flu types.
It's free so as Goober says, why not?
G
Gord's Bro
Haven't yet and suvived each flu season nothing worse than the odd sniffle.
From those I know who have, however, there've been more problems than I care to encounter.
G's B.
From those I know who have, however, there've been more problems than I care to encounter.
G's B.
Situation in the US
I saw something in the US about there being a shortage of the flu vaccine, so only infants and the elderly should get the shot as they are most at risk.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&e=2&u=/ap/20041007/ap_on_he_me/flu_vaccine_21
Fernie
I saw something in the US about there being a shortage of the flu vaccine, so only infants and the elderly should get the shot as they are most at risk.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&e=2&u=/ap/20041007/ap_on_he_me/flu_vaccine_21
Fernie
Fortunately I haven't missed a day of work in maybe 10 years or so due to the flu or flu like symptoms.
But I do get the flu shot (it's required at my work) plus every other vaccine ever invented lol (Twinrex, MMR, Chicken Pox etc...)
But I do get the flu shot (it's required at my work) plus every other vaccine ever invented lol (Twinrex, MMR, Chicken Pox etc...)
NEVER
For healthy mid age folk, it's an expensive proposition.
By doing this, the chances of strengthening the flu bugs are great.
Probably most recommended for the elderly.
For healthy mid age folk, it's an expensive proposition.
By doing this, the chances of strengthening the flu bugs are great.
Probably most recommended for the elderly.
I'm too busy to get sick. So I usually don't. And, even if I am, I usually bring a bucket with me.
My employer has a day set up for it's employees to get a flu shot right at work, if they so chose.
My employer has a day set up for it's employees to get a flu shot right at work, if they so chose.
30 years ago doctor's prescribed antibiotics for everything down to the common cold. Now we have a problem with antibiotic resistant people and diseases. I'm concerned that 20 years from now the news will be that normally healthy people are unable to fight off the common flu.
I'm all for people of compromised immune systems getting the shot. But I'm still not convinced that in the long run it is a good idea for everyone. Any thoughts on that anyone?
And Fang, does your doctor charge you $20 to write a note like most of them do now? So $30, less $8 or so for taxes, less $20 for the doctor leaves you just enough to buy me a coffee, right?
I'm all for people of compromised immune systems getting the shot. But I'm still not convinced that in the long run it is a good idea for everyone. Any thoughts on that anyone?
And Fang, does your doctor charge you $20 to write a note like most of them do now? So $30, less $8 or so for taxes, less $20 for the doctor leaves you just enough to buy me a coffee, right?
That is my feeling exactly. The superbugs that are becoming more prevalent in hospitals are the direct result of people taking too many antibiotics.Mrs_Stiffler said:
I'm all for people of compromised immune systems getting the shot. But I'm still not convinced that in the long run it is a good idea for everyone. Any thoughts on that anyone?
Unlike the development of things like MRSA and VRE - the flu shot is different.
MRSA and VRE developed primarily because of the over prescription of oral antibiotics. This allowed the existing pathogen to mutate and develop a resistance to the medication.
Flu shots are different - the vaccine is taken from an attenuated virus and harvested. So....it will protect patients from existing strains of the flu but not from new ones. Every couple of years a new strain will develop and thats when the drug companies get into a race to develop vaccines. So a flu shot will not really mutate an existing strain just supress it. The flu types though, can come from anywhere and usually carried by human to animal cross contamination, and the situation can be made worse with the availability of global travel. There are already a few strains of the flu that can be lethal and is out there. But, for the most part; a lot of it has to do with the handling of animals and as it's often seen it usually comes from more remote places then it migrates to more populated areas.
Being immunosupressed will certainly increase the chances for picking up bugs, but; there are a lot of very dangerous pathogens out there that can be picked up quite easily. Most people sweat things like HIV, generally; I tell them that Hepatitis is worse and easier to catch. There is a vaccine for that though. And , anyone can catch a Staph infection which in some cases can be dealdly or leave thr patient in lousy shape.
I agree that historically patients have recieved too much antibiotics, but; believe it or not Toronto, and specifically the Hospital for Sick Children has been a pioneer for alternate pharmacological models and use of antibiotics for pediatric patients. The right strides, in the last decade have been taken; but, there's still a long way to go.
It is difficult though - sometimes a first time parent will bring in a little one with a raging ear infection, the patient crying their lungs out...but all the doctor can say is to ride it out for 72 hours because of the mandate against overprescribing antibiotics. The parents usually take a fit with this piece of information. Most ear infections with kids will subside in 72 hours. But if you were the parent, can you handle a screaming infant or toddler? Hard to say....thats why some family doctors, specially the old timers; feel compelled to give antibiotics.
MRSA and VRE developed primarily because of the over prescription of oral antibiotics. This allowed the existing pathogen to mutate and develop a resistance to the medication.
Flu shots are different - the vaccine is taken from an attenuated virus and harvested. So....it will protect patients from existing strains of the flu but not from new ones. Every couple of years a new strain will develop and thats when the drug companies get into a race to develop vaccines. So a flu shot will not really mutate an existing strain just supress it. The flu types though, can come from anywhere and usually carried by human to animal cross contamination, and the situation can be made worse with the availability of global travel. There are already a few strains of the flu that can be lethal and is out there. But, for the most part; a lot of it has to do with the handling of animals and as it's often seen it usually comes from more remote places then it migrates to more populated areas.
Being immunosupressed will certainly increase the chances for picking up bugs, but; there are a lot of very dangerous pathogens out there that can be picked up quite easily. Most people sweat things like HIV, generally; I tell them that Hepatitis is worse and easier to catch. There is a vaccine for that though. And , anyone can catch a Staph infection which in some cases can be dealdly or leave thr patient in lousy shape.
I agree that historically patients have recieved too much antibiotics, but; believe it or not Toronto, and specifically the Hospital for Sick Children has been a pioneer for alternate pharmacological models and use of antibiotics for pediatric patients. The right strides, in the last decade have been taken; but, there's still a long way to go.
It is difficult though - sometimes a first time parent will bring in a little one with a raging ear infection, the patient crying their lungs out...but all the doctor can say is to ride it out for 72 hours because of the mandate against overprescribing antibiotics. The parents usually take a fit with this piece of information. Most ear infections with kids will subside in 72 hours. But if you were the parent, can you handle a screaming infant or toddler? Hard to say....thats why some family doctors, specially the old timers; feel compelled to give antibiotics.
I have an allergy to eggs, flu vaccine serum is bred in eggs, I was advised by the Dr. not to get the flu shot!
Yes.
I've been taking it for years and have barely been sick at all, even when those around me were falling like flies. The few times I did get sick it only lasted a couple of days instead of the old 7 - 10 days.
Vaccination is not the same as antibiotics. I don't medicate diseases I don't have, but immunization is the development of antibodies in my system to fight off any future intruders that match - its a whole different ball game.
We toss aside the idea of the flu quite quickly, but it is a killer disease - surprisingly large numbers of people die each year from it.
Prevention is always better than reaction.
I've been taking it for years and have barely been sick at all, even when those around me were falling like flies. The few times I did get sick it only lasted a couple of days instead of the old 7 - 10 days.
Vaccination is not the same as antibiotics. I don't medicate diseases I don't have, but immunization is the development of antibodies in my system to fight off any future intruders that match - its a whole different ball game.
We toss aside the idea of the flu quite quickly, but it is a killer disease - surprisingly large numbers of people die each year from it.
Prevention is always better than reaction.
I've heard frightening things about why they want you to get the flu shot. How true are those rumors?
I had the flu very bad a few years ago
I thought I was going to die!
every since then I get the shot every year!
and it works!
havent had the flu since then
( knock on wood)
I thought I was going to die!
every since then I get the shot every year!
and it works!
havent had the flu since then
( knock on wood)
Some people do have reactions to the flu vaccine.
But, the benefits do outweight the risks, for the number of patients it helps. Anybody can react poorly to any medication - thats just one of those things. Certainly if you have allergies, it would be advisable to talk to your family doctor about the vaccine.
But, the benefits do outweight the risks, for the number of patients it helps. Anybody can react poorly to any medication - thats just one of those things. Certainly if you have allergies, it would be advisable to talk to your family doctor about the vaccine.
