The Flu

[jglass]

Have all of you avoided getting it?
They have closed several schools around here because of a bad flu outbreak.
My sis brought her kids a few days ago and the oldest had come home from school def showing signs of getting it. Poor kid has been sick for days now. I used a lot of lysol spray while they were here
She has missed three days of school now but is finally getting a bit better.
So far Jon and I have not gotten it and I would like to keep it that way. Between that and a stomach bug going around it has been bad here. Last time Jon was at PT the employees were talking about how the stomach flu had gone through every one of them. As soon as Jon and I got in the car I used to antibacterial hand wash and then we washed up good when we got home.
Jon has the worst habit of smoothing out his moustache all the time when we are out. Not a good habit during flu season.

[chubbyalaskagriz]

Here there are several whacko strains of various things going 'round. Many at work have been out w/ bronchitis- 1 even w/ pneumonia. I fibbed last weekend and told a friend I was sick to get out of attending a thingie with a couple I do not like. I shouldn't have told that fib, cuz the next weekend, sure-enuf, I took sick! Was down for 2 full days/nights and was finally saved by chugging nearly 2 full bottles of Nyquil. Had a severe conjestion issue, headache and constant deep cough- but luckily no stomach or fever issues, this time! Hopefully now I'm all healed and DONE w/ illness for one winter!

[jfain]

My husband just got over a bout of something and several at my work have been sick. Luckily I missed it this time around. Well so far.

[Cook Chatty Cathy]

Janie I sure hope neither you or Jon get it! The flu shot helps, I suggest going ahead and getting it if you can!

[Bubba707]

I got a flu shot one time years back and it worked. I had the worst case of flu I ever had in my life. Never got another one. We've had a couple strains of it running around here this winter, both laid people out for a week if they got either one. A neighbor got over one and got the other 2 weeks later. Poor gal was miserable. My wife and I have managed to avoid getting either one and actually haven't had any flu for several years.

[Cook Chatty Cathy]

Originally Posted by Bubba707

I got a flu shot one time years back and it worked. I had the worst case of flu I ever had in my life. Never got another one. We've had a couple strains of it running around here this winter, both laid people out for a week if they got either one. A neighbor got over one and got the other 2 weeks later. Poor gal was miserable. My wife and I have managed to avoid getting either one and actually haven't had any flu for several years.

That's ashame that your flu shot did not protect you. My hubby also gets his flu shot every year and he actually got the flu last winter even though he had his shot. I have only ever had 1 and it worked wonderfully, I was wroking in an Assisted Living Home and we got the shot for free, to protect ourselves and our elderly and frail residents, I never got even a sniffle that entire year! So I found the shot to be very effective that year!

I have not had the shot since, but have had the flu almost every winter, I have been fighting it off twice this winter with sudafed and antihistamines, and staying out of the wicked weather, getting plenty of sleep and eating right! It is hard to shake once you get it, and last year I had to see the Dr. and be put on antibiotics to get over it. I wish I could get the flu shot every year to avoid it, but it is expensive to see the Dr. around here.

[jglass]

Last flu shot I had I also got the flu so I havent gotten them since.

[Bubba707]

Funny thing about flu shots, the vaccine is centered on LAST years strains. What comes around this year is mutated into a different strain. Knowing this I tend to question the value of the shots.

[CanMan]

I've never heard of using the previous year strain for the next year, which would be illogical since, as you stated, the viruses mutate. But they do spend the better part of the year trying to figure out what the potential strains will be for the coming year (there's a wide variety) and then choose the 3 strains for the vaccine. Even that is now changing.

Choosing Virus Strains for Vaccine

[jakester]

We have had some mega flu outbreaks where we are. You have it for a few weeks, think it has gone. Then bang it is back again! The flu jab hasn't prevented many I know from getting it.....

Rest,fluids and more rest is the only thing that beats it, and staying away from anyone who has the slightest "sniff " or cold....