Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: bramble on October 06, 2013, 12:56:26 PM
-
I was told by an alternative health practicioner not to get the flu jab this year as I had got it last year and it is the same mix as this year and so I was already protected. Anyone else heard this?
As a footnote, I still got flu last year, quite badly in November.
Bramble
-
I think there were, as usual, many different types of flu around Bramble. The best the health organisations can do is to pick which ones seem to be the most virulent and protect us against them.
Here are the three which have been chosen this year http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/flu-influenza-vaccine.aspx
Taz
-
I have had mine and the swine flu is included this time, was not in it last year.
-
The one I had last year had swine flu in it.
I thought although it's not 100% effective it did reduce the severity of flu if you did get it. Sorry it did not work for you Bramble.
Honeyb
X
-
Got mine booked for next Saturday as I'm asthmatic.
Haven't had one for a few years - smack my wrists!!!
But last year I had cold after cold and chest infection from December to March so decided to have one this year.
I'm full of cold though at the moment so will have to see nearer the time as I don't think they will do it if you're not well?
-
I'm pretty sure mine didn't have swine flu in it. Read the blurb at the time. Going to be in for a really horrid few days afterwards if it's in this mix. I was pretty ropey when I got separate swine flu jab 3 years back. My daughter was really ill with it.
-
So why have it? Why have something that is going to make you ill? The immune system usually does a good job and if it is dampened by having to deal with yet more interference by means of injections :-\
-
Maybe your recollection of flu has dimmed over time CLKD? It is a small price to pay to have a sore arm and a vague cold-like feeling for two days rather than the proper flu leading to a couple of weeks off work plus at least another month to get fully fit.
The immune system can do a good job with a lot of bugs but the flu virus changes itself every year. The immune system has no way of recognising the new flu bug which means the bug has got a hold before the body can even begin got deal with it. Does this mean that you have never had any vaccinations for any of the other illnesses we can get protected from? :-\
Taz
-
This pretty comprehensive
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm
It does suggest people who should have the jab.
Here is some more interesting facts
http://www.truestarhealth.com/members/cm_archives07ML4P1A10.html the bit about Alzheimer's is concerning.
The flu jab does cause me to worry, just as much as getting flu.
I hadn't even though about it until I got the letter from the surgery though.
-
CLKD it was when they were scared of swine flu epidemic. Being an asthmatic it was strongly advised. Daughter is a nurse & they all had to have it. Some of her colleagues were so ill they couldn't work for days afterwards.
There are many people with a variety of illnesses including diabetes who are also strongly advised to get flu jabs.
Having been really ill with pneumonia I wouldn't wish an upper respiratory tract infection on anyone. Not good gasping for air. So I will have mine. Sore arm is nothing compared to getting flu.
-
I have had the flu jab for years due to working in the hospital and have only ever had a sore arm for a few days, never felt ill in anyway.
I have had the flu before and i would not want it again, will always have the jab.
-
So why have it? Why have something that is going to make you ill? The immune system usually does a good job and if it is dampened by having to deal with yet more interference by means of injections :-\
The thing is, the flu jab does not always make you ill, sometimes it actually prevents flu.
The immune system does not always protect against flu. I have had flu once, I thought / hoped I was going to die. No way I want to risk that again, ever.
-
If the immune system "does a good job" why do people catch it in the first place? I don't really follow your reasoning CLKD.
Taz :-\
-
I think CLKD really has forgotten how ill flu can make you. Perhaps she thinks because she has not had it for years she has built up an immunity to it.
I am sure she will be along to let us know her thoughts. It would be great if it was one of these things that you only got once because then I would not have to pay for my jab again this year. ::)
Honeyb
X
-
If you think that our bodies protect us against most bugs that are doing the rounds otherwise we would be continually ill. So most people in the 1st World have a good immune system. Why does a human 'catch' anything? If the bug could be irradicated as polio/smallpox has been in the UK then there might be a firm reason to give an apparently healthy populas innoculations .............
I do remember well how ill I felt when I had the 'flu - 2 years running in March of those years, early 1980s. I was too ill even to contemplate ringing the GP ::) - I told DH that "I'm not hot or anything" but the flannel with which he was sponging me down was steaming :o then he carried me to the bathroom which faces East and oh so bright :-\ .............. Went to bed both times feeling fine, no warning; woke with aches, painful backs of eyes, not wanting to move .......... took about 3 days each time before I dared to lift head from pillow >:(
-
None of us with asthma, diabetes & others necessarily want to have flu jabs, but if we were to get a bad dose of flu, it could potentially be very dangerous. Flu for a normally healthy person is bad enough, but for those of us with underlying problems I'd say the jab is a must.
-
It can't be eradicated because it is different each year whereas smallpox and polio stay the same. The influenza virus is like no other.
Taz
-
I am so glad it's on offer for the likes of my husband. Flu could kill him. How do you manage diabetes when you are very ill with flu.
You are very lucky you can be so against it CLKD. If you had a health condition then perhaps you would empathise a little more.
I hope neither you or your hubby get flu this year. After all who would do your cooking if your hubby was laid low with something he could have been protected against. :-\
Honeyb
X
-
;D .......... ........... but we haven't had 'flu for over 20 years. We also keep ourselves to ourselves ;) ..........
-
Well I truly wish you luck with that. I guess you have to shop like the rest of us so... :-\
Honeyb
X
-
Can you see how it differs from smallpox though CLKD? I was just concerned you thought that the flu virus stayed the same year in year out.
Have you had any other vaccinations by the way?
Taz :)
-
I did hear from my brother in law that he will be getting a shingles vaccine very soon. They are starting with the over 70s first.
I would imagine the uptake for that will be very high.
Honeyb
X
-
It's a bit complicated how they are working that out. You had to be aged 70 or 79 on 1st September this year... http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/shingles-vaccination.aspx
Taz
-
You need a degree in maths to work that one out.
My BIL is 72 I think but he was told it would be soon. Maybe it's different up here with us being Scottish an all ;D
Honeyb
X
-
I am aware of how it differs. 'Flu being a varient of itself so is difficult to anticipate which type will be prevalent.
Since the BCG jab at aged 13 and a tetanus jab aged 29: nothing - there is no necessity for me or DH to put ourselves forwards nor has it been mentioned by our Surgery as necessary.
One has to have had chickenpox to be affected by shingles .......... I know I had chickenpox, I still have some scars :( ..........
-
Hang on - are you saying that with all the outside work you do you are not covered for tetanus????
Taz :o :o :o
-
Yep. Northants is one of the highest regions for tetanus too ......... but once a course of jabs has been given, one should be covered for Life. I have had 2 courses over the years because we bred rabbits for the table and my Boss insisted ::) ........... but he got the Ward Sister to give it me ;D
-
You may not be able to get shingles but you can get chickenpox. It's not just a childhood disease.
I thought tetanus jabs were effective for ten years and then a booster was needed. I also thought it was just one jab, at least it was when I last had mine. How was yours different.
Honeyb
X
-
I can't exactly remember. I had several injections initially then an annual booster which I let lapse. At the time, in the early 1980s, there was Research being done on whether it was necessary to give any more once the Course had been given and the booster jab injected. (how
else ::) ) ...........
I did carry a card for years. I expect that should there be an accident/emergency cover would be given in A&E.
-
I was told it was every ten years for tetanus. However, if you cut yourself badly and need it stitched I think they give you it anyway.
I've had it done as needed it for going to Caribbean, so should be OK for a while.
-
Not exactly protected then are you.
Very surprised I have to say.
Honeyb
X
-
Why are you surprised? I have an immune system ............. I try only to take what is necessary i.e. if I get a headache/toothache/low back pain I take pain relief, I don't take pain relief in case I get a headache etc.. ::) ..............
-
It's tetanus, and you are a keen gardener and you keep chickens.
I thought all gardeners knew the risks. I am a member of a community garden and we have few safety messages displayed in our barn as we are all grown ups. One of the few is a rather large warning about tetanus and how dangerous it is.
That's why I am surprised.
Honeyb
X
-
It is a bit of a risk to take over such a nasty illness CLKD but I can see that you think your immune defences are indestructible although it didn't do too well with your recent cold did it!!! ;D
I'm glad I have had mine anyway considering it lives in house dust!! :lol:http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tetanus/Pages/Introduction.aspx
Taz
-
Ah: but how bad would my cold have been if my immune system had been 'knocked' ;)
Thanks for the Link :o
-
It's an interesting subject - it's as if you are advocating the "survival of the fittest" idea meaning that all vaccinations should be discontinued because you can't say that one is bad, really, without saying that all are bad and that we should all rely on our immune systems to get us through, or not, as the case may be. If you look at it like that then should we also not take any antibiotics for infections but just let nature take it's course because we should be relying on our immune system to fight the bacteria for us?
Taz :)
-
I guess a lot of us would not be posting then as we would all be dead :o
Don't think my immune system is that robust to be honest. I look at the appeals for aid in some foreign country's and think how fortunate we are in our health services. Just think how much better their lives would be if they had access to our immunisation programme.
Honeyb
X
-
I look at the appeals for aid in some foreign country's and think how fortunate we are in our health services. Just think how much better their lives would be if they had access to our immunisation programme.
I agree.
-
I was a prem-baby who wouldn't be here if it weren't for an incubator :o ......... some innoculations are essential, others seem to be pushed. If those eradicate life-threatening diseases then there is a tick for giving them. Considering that measles is still a killer in some parts of the World as well as malaria ...........
So why is it necessary for someone with diabetes to be given a 'flu jab? How does 'flu affect diabetes to make this necessary? My Mum had hers 2 weeks ago and she is a healthy, active 86 year old :-\
-
Diabetes is a life-threatening condition CLKD. Honeybun will be able to explain it a lot more but in the meantime you can read about it here http://www.diabetes.co.uk/flu-and-diabetes.html
Although your mum is healthy at the age of 86 she is more at risk of the complications of flu such as chest and other infections and falls due to weakness brought on by high temperatures. Elderly people are also more at risk of dehydration.
Taz
-
When you get real flu (NOT a bad cold) you cannot eat, often for days on end, and even drinking is incredibly difficult. Couple that with a high fever and you have a recipe for disaster when it comes to trying to control blood-sugar levels if you are diabetic. Wayward blood-sugar levels are potential killers (leaving aside the fact flu is a potential killer in its own right), so it's VERY important that diabetics are protected against flu, and also that those in close contact with them are also protected.
-
Thanks Taz and Scampi, I could not have explained better myself.
I think this is the reason I get a bit passionate about this. It is so dangerous for a diabetic to try and cope with this kind of thing. Diabetes is hard enough to cope with without throwing this into the mix. Of course he cannot go about in a bubble and be protected from everything, but this is one that is preventable especially if all people who can would get immunized.
Yes CLKD, you can go around and lead a normal life but if you catch flu and come in contact with someone like my husband then you endanger his life.
Is that fair..... :-\
Honeyb
X
-
Our local surgery advise people with chronic conditions to get the flu jab.
With diabetes I would imagine it's the blood sugar level going out of control with all of the dangers that incurs.
Speaking for myself, I have MS, flu is very likely to trigger a relapse. If this happens, I lose the ability to use certain parts of my body. This may improve when the flu passes, it may not. I would prefer not to take the chance. Who needs the use of their legs anyway.......
OK - CLKD you may be fine with getting flu, but it gets passed around, others are affected, it's not just you.
-
:thankyou: but people cannot walk around with 'flu - anyone who does, isn't suffering with the 'flu virus ::) ...... when I had it I couldn't lift my head from the pillow, bright light made me wince, didn't know time of day for a while ......... I take your point on the dangers though.
-
Silly... you walk around with it before it actually shows itself!! ;D
Taz x
-
It is certainly true that nobody can walk around when they have proper flu.
Except men, when they have Man Flu.......... ;D
-
The last time I had a tetanus jab I was told it offered life-long protection. I guess it has evolved over the years.
My old surgery used to contact me to offer me the flu jab, but my new one hasnt. Looked on their website and flu jab is offered to those with the usual condition but re. asthmatics it says "severe asthma". I dont have SEVERE asthma...I hve ordinary asthma. Are they restricting the vaccine this year I wonder? ::)
-
Don't think so Milliemoo. Mine is ordinary, but I was invited to get my flu jab.
-
Does anyone know if it is the same mix as last year? I have read conflicting reports.
Bramble
-
Even if the mix reads the same - i.e. they are targeting the same A or B viruses etc the actual vaccine will be different because the strains will have changed themselves. The flu virus changes each season.
Taz :)
-
All sorted, got my appt but not til early next month!
At least that gives me time to get over this lurgy ::)
-
I don't want to be inflammatory with this, but those who have decided to not have the flu jab or are not in the high risk groups, this is very good information.
http://www.healthy-holistic-living.com/alternatives-to-the-flu-shot.html
-
Have to say those "rules" apply for most viruses, but we cannot live in a bubble. Most of the hygiene suggestions are common sense and I will still get a flu jab.
-
I bet she would be singing a different tune if one of her close family was in the at risk group.
:hotflash:
Honeyb
X
-
I though the advice was good, I was going to copy and paste just the advice but I thought it would be too long.
My OH is in the high risk age and has a pacemaker but will not have the flu jab.
He did 10 years ago and a few days later started with the most terrible headaches he was rushed to hospital and then to the another hospital and saw a brain surgeon, he was put on steroids and then had a brain scan,, it was found that he had a brain tumour that had probably been there for years and had given no problems, it was removed and was benign, he was told that the fly jab could have inflamed the tumour, in one way I suppose you could thank the flu jab, but it really certainly scared us.
A couple of years ago I decided to have the flu jab so I would not pass anything on to OH, but I did get such a horrible bout and really brought me down that year and it seemed to go into my joints on the left side and that why I too am scared of the flu jab now, I might be misguided in this but its the way I feel and have not intended in anyway to be detrimental to those who have the jab, its just my dilemma.
-
It's everyone's personal choice SL and I have had side effects from the jab before so it's not something I look forward too. If you have had a bad experience in the past then I don't blame you for being hesitant.
I feel that my hubby really has no choice. The last time he had a virus I ended up with paramedics at the house in the middle of the night. He was as bad as I had ever seen him. Soaking in sweat, incoherent, could not stand. I found it so difficult to get glucose into him. Very scary so the thought of him having flu which lasts for days does really not bare thinking about.
In saying all that I still respect the fact that people have a choice and should be free to make it but the article that you posted brought to mind the MMR controversy. There are now many children not protected and who will contract a health threatening illness.
Honeyb
X
-
You are right about MMR Honeyb.
There was a significant outbreak in Wales last year, lots of kids not having had their MMR jabs.
One 25 year old man died because of pneumonia caused by the measles.
-
I had a crazy overreaction to a tetanus vaccine some years ago and the doctors told me not to get vaccinated with any live vaccines.
I get really ill with flus and even colds as have M.E and a pretty weak immune system and post nasal drip, so cough to exhaustion, often get bronchitis so need ABs and seem to take weeks longer to recover than I should. I'm now nervous of even penicillin ABs as got a violent diarrhoea 'bug' the same day OH was diagnosed with C Difficile and although I tested negative for it, the doc said it could possibly have been it (?) - my husband got it from routine ABs whereas I'd not been on them and she said that could be the difference.
I'm always tempted by the vaccine, especially in bad flu years (last year wasn't a bad flu year) but am too scared to have it, and am pretty sure an inactivated, adjuvant free vaccine is not available?
-
The flu vaccine isn't live oldsheep but the nasal spray is.
Taz :)