I swear that a quarter of my Facebook friends say they're sick with the flu today......

[marmar]

...... and I keep seeing these stories about flu emergencies. I guess I've lucked out so far. ..... Any DUers afflicted?

[vi5]

1. What's I find nuts.....

....is that the vaccine/shot is perfectly in sync with this strain of the flu. So this outbreak and the severity of it are largely due to the high number of people not electing to get the flu shot.

I don't know that I fully understand the reasoning, either. These aren't anti-vaccine people for the kids or any of that.

And more than a few people who I've had conversations with as far as them not electing to get the shot, have wound up on facebook complaining that they have the flu and how horrible they feel and how there is no tami-flu left to be had anywhere.

[Laurian]

25. My husband had the flu shot and a pneumonia shot and still got it!

I know of many who have been vaccinated and still gotten a flu. Perhaps it's a strain not included in the vaccine. Also, I heard Sanjay Gupta say this morning that the vaccine is effective 60% of the time.....that's disappointing.

[leftynyc]

35. Several people in my office

are down with it and at least 2 definitely got the flu shot.

[vi5]

47. From what I've heard...

At the very least the vaccine makes it not as bad as it would otherwise be.

We have no choice in my family since my son has a medically compromised system so we all have to get it to be safe.

[Dokkie]

97. Seeing as the flu shot doesnt give you 100% protection

against the flu even when the correct strain is used in making the shot. Chalk it down in the "shit happens" category

[leftynyc]

99. I know it doesn't give

100% protection but they tell us you shouldn't get as sick. My pal is having a hard timing believing she'd be even sicker - fever, chills, aches, pain, vomiting, coughing. It's awful. So far I've been lucky.

[Yo_Mama]

46. No, it can't be a match

My doctor told me that at least half of the people he is treating with bad flu had the flu shot. He mostly gave it to them.

What probably happened was that it was a good match for the early cases, but then other strains became more common and it crossed over and so now strains that are less covered by the shot are spreading fast.

It is rare to see so many people who had the flu shot with the flu, but in some seasons it happens.

[Texasgal]

68. This simply not true

My sister in law had a flu shot and was stricken with another strain, half of my clinic has been out with the flu and we are all required to get a flu shot.

I am just hoping I don't get it! Wash your hands folks!

[KittyWampus]

71. I am now resolved to carry and use hand sanitizer when going shopping. Or keep my gloves on.

[NeedleCast]

89. Hand Sanitizer And Gloves Do Very Little to Combat Flu

Flu is generally an airborne virus. The most likely vector is someone who is infected sneezing or coughing in your general vicinity and it's worse in cold, dry air (the sneeze/cough droplets infected with flu hand in the air longer and carry further than they would in damp, warm air). Generally the only "contact" way to catch the flu is if you touch an infected surface and then touch your mouth or nose (so again...gloves pretty ineffective because if you touch an infected doorknob with your gloved hand, then rub your nose...same problem).

[onecent]

110. Hand sanitizer is not a helpful thing to do. While it may

get rid of the bad germs, it ALSO gets rid of the good germs. I believe if sanitizers are overused will do
more damage. I also would NEVER get a flu shot. Have known of a few horror stories receiving vacines and shots.

[valerief]

77. Unless it's all the ppl who got the flu shot that got the flu. nt

[Yo_Mama]

92. People who didn't get the flu shot are getting it too

Oh, well.

[Ed Suspicious]

79. Otherwise healthy people just need to treat the symptoms and ride it out. Pressuring the supply of

emergency drugs over a common case of the flu is nuts.

[vi5]

90. Assuming you're referring to Tami Flu

I agree. Especially since my son and some others we know would be at extreme risk if they got the flu. So for people to be pressuring the supply as you said, is just bad news.

[Ed Suspicious]

95. Precisely. n/t

[ChisolmTrailDem]

87. The last time I got the flu shot I got sick as hell

two weeks later and missed work for over a week.

[NeedleCast]

93. Then You got a different strain of flu than the one in the vaccine

Or, you had something else (bad cold).

[Marrah_G]

96. The CDC has alot of really good info on the flu and the vaccines

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/

[Atman]

2. My son and DIL already got it...but there is no Tamiflu available up here.

My wife diagnosed it, tried to get them Tamiflu shots, but the pharmacy said there was none available, and wouldn't be available. Yet they advertise the stuff 24/7 on cable. It's gonna be a tough season. I never get flu shots...ironic that our young strapping kids got it, but us oldsters with no flu shots seem to have missed it...so far.

[HipChick]

4. Interesting...no flu shot here either

It knocked me off my feet for a couple of weeks..

[GoCubsGo]

6. It sounds like the younger people are getting hit much harder with this strain.

The elderly, too. I have been trying to avoid people, in general, as of late. Keeping my fingers crossed, and my hands washed...

[CanSocDem]

10. Your "young strapping kids"...

...probably have a higher exposure and vulnerability to the mass media than you and are almost convinced that, without "Tamiflu" they will be sick. Don't underestimate the power of Self-Fulfilling Prophecy.

.

[Atman]

21. Well, they have a 10 month old...

She got her little baby flu shot, and got a slight fever for a day, but never got the flu. Despite two sick parents. Babies are little germ factories. Plus, they live in a big apartment building, we live in the country in the middle of nowhere. DIL works in retail. They probably had many more opportunities for exposure than we do.

[Odin2005]

36. Yes, a person can just think away the flu! What horseshit.

[Atman]

51. Actually, my son is tech geek software developer.

He doesn't fall for much of anything that can't be demonstrated and compiled and proven to work. And he doesn't watch much tv, he's too busy working. My guess is, his apartment building and retail-working wife might have exposed him. It probably was the evil MSM.

[CanSocDem]

102. Well...

...we know you can't, but jump in and mock those of us who can.

However, to be precise, we don't "think it away"....we avoid getting it in the first place.

Our attention is on staying healthy, not buying into every medical threat coming down the pike.

One day you'll grow up and realize that it was personal power and not modern medicine that got you here. Or not....



.

[jberryhill]

105. No, no, no...

You can't think it away.

But I believe what is being said is that one can think oneself into getting it.

Hence, those who get the flu are weakminded. Seen this way, the flu is something which afflicts people who deserve it as a consequence of a character deficit. We've known that disease is caused by sin or anger of the gods for a very long time.

[CanSocDem]

111. You almost had it there...

"But I believe what is being said is that one can think oneself into getting it."

Then you lost it.

And let the years of conditioning by ModernMedicineINC. take over your mouth.

"Hence, those who get the flu are weak minded. Seen this way, the flu is something which afflicts people who deserve it as a consequence of a character deficit. We've known that disease is caused by sin or anger of the gods for a very long time."

This is what they have told you so that you would believe that only they could cure you.

I understand the great inner struggle that Americans wage against science and the church. These are powerful forces in a free market economy. You are being played.

.

[Orrex]

42. I recommend 1000cc's of homeopathy. Stat!

Quick! Before Big Pharma releases more flu virus into the water supply!

[Marrah_G]

104. YOu know you can't summon or dismiss a virus at will right?

It is a living organism, not some imaginary friend.........

[CanSocDem]

108. It's your boogeyman, not mine. (eom)

[Marrah_G]

112. oooookay...

[MynameisBlarney]

29. Isn't Tamiflu owned by Rumsfelt?

Or some other former bush43 lackey?

[dorkzilla]

3. I'm sick, but not sure if its the flu...

Started Sunday, got a sore throat a mild fever...by Tuesday I was feeling much better, then suddenly yesterday I felt like poo again. But my symptoms are now are weakness, shortness of breath, muscle aches. Sore throat is gone, and I have a slightly elevated temperature that comes and goes. I didn't get my shot this year for no other reason than I just got busy and kept putting it off.

[marmar]

5. Definitely sounds like flu symptoms.

nt

[dorkzilla]

14. I was afraid of that.

Phooey.

[arthritisR_US]

23. The flu here in Calgary, you start out feeling

tired and run down for a few hours and the vomiting starts to the point of projectile vomiting while simultaneously being hit with non stop diarrhea. Every bone, muscle and joint hurts, I mean super hurts. Highest fevers ever experienced and your skin hurts to the touch... The shower you took to cleanup from the 2 ends going at the same time is painful to the skin like you have never experienced before... Baths are the same to the skin. Unbelievable headache that starts at the base of the back of the scull and blankets the head right up to the eyes... Headache that lasted for days.

Those are the universal symptoms that all I have spoken to who had the flu have described to me and I personally experienced.

[Aerows]

28. My mom had it a week ago

She felt absolutely horrible, and had exactly those same symptoms.

[arthritisR_US]

57. We have never experienced anything like it before. Please tell your Mum to take care as secondary

complications can set in that are much worse than the flu that cause them. Take care please!

[dorkzilla]

30. That sounds awful, so sorry you got so sick!

I'm hoping that since I am 4 days into feeling yucky perhaps I won't get it as badly as you. It sounds absolutely dreadful! Are you all better now, or at least on the mend?

[arthritisR_US]

56. I am much better, thank you. Have been visiting my Mum in the hospital since Monday..

that's the 1st day they would allow me to do so. My Mum is over the flu but from vomiting she got fluid in the lungs and now her heart is doing poorly and her kidney's now only have 38% functioning between the two. It looks like she will be in the hospital for quite some time. They keep switching her to ICU and she is more often than not put on a breathing machine. All complications from having this flu. She got her flu shot back in Oct.

[dorkzilla]

72. So sorry your Mum is poorly

Ill keep you both in my thoughts. Also I've just heard back from several friends in my area (NYC suburbs) who also got their flu shot and contracted it regardless, FWIW.

[arthritisR_US]

80. Seems the shot missed this strain of the flu...a good lesson for their future shots

Edt; thank you for the kind thoughts, you are a gem

[Odin2005]

37. "projectile vomiting"

[arthritisR_US]

58. I was waiting for our heads to spin and given there was no pea soup vomit, we could all

breath a little easier

[a la izquierda]

7. I've been fighting it...

I suspect only because I'm on vacation...but I'm betting I'm sick as a dog upon arriving home on Monday. Just in time for the new semester to begin

And I got a flu shot.

[HappyMe]

8. My husband is in bed

with the flu today.
I guess I'm next.

[appleannie1]

9. Hubby and I had mild cases of it because we got flu shots. Hospitals in

this area are limiting visitors.

[arthritisR_US]

19. The hospital my Mum is in since Jan 1, wouldn't

let me visit her until this past Monday

[PETRUS]

11. Nope, but I've got sick friends too.

Stay well!!!

[Hatchling]

12. It was reported on the local news last night.

Two elderly women died and the er is impacted heavily.

[kentauros]

13. I had a nasty cold back at the beginning of November.

Haven't had any similar ailments since, and I haven't had a flu shot this year. Just dealing with a stye at the moment...

Everyone in the office seems to have avoided the flu as well.

[Marrah_G]

15. It's very important for people to be cautious

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season-2012-2013.htm#prepare

[backtoblue]

16. The flu is very bad this year. Very sad.

Last edited Thu Jan 10, 2013, 01:54 PM - Edit history (1)

17 year old dies in Texas from flu

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2013/01/02/north-texas-teen-dies-from-flu-complications/

[redqueen]

73. Those stories are about the same kid. He was visiting relatives in Minnesota.

Otherwise healthy guy, its very sad.

A six year old died here as well.

[backtoblue]

74. very sad.

i'll edit my post. ty you for letting me know!

[redqueen]

82. NP, it's a big story here of course...

I'm in N.Tx so it's all over the news.

[backtoblue]

94. i'm your neighbor

pretty bad in arkansas too. we've had 7 deaths reported but i haven't heard the ages. well wishes to you and your family and hopefully this bug will pass soon.

[redqueen]

101. Howdy neighbor

Flu isn't required to be reported here I don't think, but from what I've heard there were four deaths this season as of the end of Dec. Here's hoping...

[arthritisR_US]

17. I got it Dec 21 and ended up with 3 bouts of

it, just when I thought it was gone 3-4 days later it started up again as each new member in my house came down with it. The last bout, when it ended then I began with the mother of all colds/bronchitis. My Mum is still in the hospital with complications now (pulmonary) resulting from it. She originally went into the hospital with the flu (diagnosed by the hospital) on Jan 1.

[FSogol]

18. Everyone in my office is coughing/hacking up a storm or home sick.

Me, thanks to my mostly beer diet and flu shot am perfectly healthy.

[Yo_Mama]

40. A doctor once told me

That alcohol does help suppress flu if you are infected before viremia sets in.

I don't know if it is true or not, but he was a doctor. Something about the virus replicating in the bloodstream.

I'm not a drinker, but when the flu shot fails this badly, it makes me wonder if I should start over the winter.

[FSogol]

53. All of my organs are perserved by floating in alcohol!

Let's see the flu attack that!

All kidding aside, I'm one of those guys that never gets the flu or gets sicks. In November I had my 1st physical in about 15 years and the doctor talked me into get a flu shot since he said while I might never catch it, I could still spread it to my family, co-workers, etc.

[Yo_Mama]

88. That's the truth

You can literally never get ill yourself, but transmit the virus. We're infectious before we get sick, and some people who rebuff the virus without developing overt symptoms give it to others while they have active virus in their upper respiratory tracts.

[arthritisR_US]

60. The flu started out in my blood stream and then finished off in my respiratory :( n/t

[FedUpWithIt All]

84. There has been some evidence that Sambucol (Black Elderberry)

is effective against most strains of flu. It is an easy purchase in most health food stores. There was a lot of buzz about it during the early days of the h5n1 scare.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11399518

[Yo_Mama]

91. Thanks - I have saved the look and will try and lay some in before next flu season

My faith in the flu shot has been broken by this year's observed 100% failure rate among friends, family and acquaintances. I knew theoretically that it could happen, but I never saw it demonstrated so clearly. Maybe in some areas the flu shot is still a good match.

[FedUpWithIt All]

98. The flu changes very fast, especially in a year like this when it begins early.

The flu shot is still a good bet, especially for those at higher risk and more exposed. The shot should help shorten the duration and lessen symptoms if someone does contract the flu. The Sambucol, particularly if taken early, can help speed recovery even more.

[deutsey]

109. I swear by this stuff

Learned about it back in early 2000's when I wrote for an alternative health franchise. I'm pretty skeptical, but you're right, there is actual evidence that this stuff works and I can attest to the fact that it has kept me well even when everyone else in my house is sick.

[gollygee]

20. My kids are both home sick from school today

Hanging out on the couch, too sick to move around much.

So I am stuck here. Had to cancel any plans for today. Or tomorrow because the schools here require kids to be fever-free 24 hours before they return.

[Johonny]

22. Nov it swept through here

one by one everyone went down. Had a flu shot and it didn't help much. Pretty nasty flu this year.

[panAmerican]

24. Very sick past 3 days

Chills, vomiting, fever that won't go away despite near-maximum Tylenol dose. Unbearable coughing fits and bronchospasms, lightheadedness, weakness, swollen throat etc. First time today that I feel I won't pass out.

[MynameisBlarney]

26. My roommate has it pretty bad right now

I suspect I'll be getting it soon as well.
My dad told me it's not too late for a flu shot, but I'm kinda skeptical about their effectiveness.
Why spend the money I don't really have if I'm gonna get sick anyway?

[cali]

27. I got the flu last Friday. I am still so sick

finally broke down and called the docs. I'm going in tomorrow. I think it may have morphed into pneumonia. It sucks.

[sorefeet]

31. This is day 11 for me

I have been so sick. Nauseaous, and very dizzy. Tired weak just plain miserable. I didn't take a flu shot, but you can bet your ass that I will next year.

[dorkzilla]

32. Oh god

That sounds awful! Are you feeling any better? I don't feel nearly that bad, but I have milder versions of your symptoms, one of them being (in the last 24 hours) is real dizziness. Like room-spin dizzy. When did that set in, or was that a symptom from the start? This is day 4 for me.

[arthritisR_US]

59. The flu shot this year missed this strain of the flu, if that is any consolation

[TheKentuckian]

33. Aye, and had the shot as well.

Grrr.

[arthritisR_US]

61. My Mum did too and she has been in the hospital now for 10 days :( n/t

[Odin2005]

34. It's everywhere. it seems like everyone has it!

Good thing I got a flu shot.

[MineralMan]

38. I got the flu over the Christmas holiday.

I flew to CA to visit my parents on Christmas day, and on Thursday, developed a bad hacking cough and fever. Flew home on Saturday with a fever and that same cough. As flu cases go, it was pretty mild, probably because I had the flu shot in September. I was never really completely out with it, and by Sunday morning the fever had broken. The cough remained for a couple more days.

My wife, who also got the flu shot, did not come down with it. They say the flu shot is less effective the older you are. I'm 67.

Lots of coughing people on the planes I was on, going out to CA and back to MN. The holidays are always a flu spreader.

[Yo_Mama]

39. Most of my family

Just about all of whom had the flu shot, btw.

I got it from my doctor. He and all of his staff got the flu shot, and they all got it.

I gave it to my husband. My one brother was coming for Christmas, and I called him and cancelled because I didn't want him to get ill. I avoided my entire family except for my husband over the holidays. My husband had the flu shot and got it. He is actually sicker than I at this point, which bothers me.

My brother who was coming here instead spent Christmas with my other brother and his family. They all got it from my sister-in-law's father, who didn't even know he was ill at the time. He had had the flu shot, and both my brothers and family had all had the flu shot. But every one of them became acutely ill.

This is in several different states, so I think a strain that is not covered by the flu shot is spreading. It causes high fever, cough, aches, exhaustion and then secondaries like sinus/ear/lung infections. Also a lot of people are having gastric complications, which tends to make the dehydration worse and set them up for secondaries.

[Sheepshank]

41. two of my kids have been horribly ill.

The first one went back to school today after 6 days off. I fear my straight A student will be having some issues with playing catch up. My second is still home today, day 7. Last night still throwing up.

They are not hosipital bound, but don't seem to be able to shake the sick off.

ps we all got flu shots. I wonder if they miscalculate the strain that is going around? I get the shot every year and have not had the flu for 15+ years!!

[Nay]

43. I don't know if it's the flu, but I sure have something. Started out with severe sore throat and

headache; then head and chest congestion, horrible wracking cough, slight fever (100.2), body aches. It's been going on for 5 days now. I am starting to feel better today. Thank god I had some leftover prescription cough medicine or I would have puked up a lung by now.

I did get the flu shot (back in October), but I know you still can get the flu anyway. As long as I can treat the cough, I don't need to see the doc.

The hubs hasn't gotten it yet, but Grandchild Nay is now sick with something.

I retired last year, but I recently talked to my coworkers and the whole place is full of sick people, hacking and coughing.

[fugop]

44. Had the flu once...

... and I will never go without the vaccine again. Any chance to keep from feeling that way again, I'll take it. Spouse and I do the shots, kids do the mist. We've all been able to avoid it for the past few years (as well as the swine flu). We've had minor colds here and there over the years, and sometimes I suspect we've gotten minor versions of the flu thx to the vaccine.

To each his own as always, but as I said: had it once as an adult and that was enough. If there's any chance to vaccinate, I take it!

[vi5]

49. Same here.

I got the flu about 12 years ago and it felt like pure death. After that I've always gotten the vaccine even if it just reduces my chances or as you pointed out just reduces the effects. And for the past 6 years my family has been dilligent about it due to my son's medical conditions.

[kiranon]

66. Agree. Having the flu once was enough for me.

[Baitball Blogger]

45. Everyone.

I got the swine flu two years ago so I have learned to keep my distance.

[amandabeech]

48. Recovering.

But it still hasn't gone completely away.

It's stubborn.

[PasadenaTrudy]

50. I know someone who died from...

it last week. Today is his service and I'm still getting over a respiratory infection, so I'm staying home. He was in his 60s, so sad! Got my flu shot in Dec. I've never had the flu once I started getting flu shots like 20 yrs ago.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

83. I have a friend who almost died from that H1N1 a couple years ago.

He was on a respirator and we were looking at airfares for a funeral trip. He pulled through, thankfully.

[SheilaT]

52. I wish everyone who responded had posted where the live.

I'm in New Mexico. One co-worker didn't come in last Thursday and Friday, said she had the flu and was completely recovered by Monday. Not a bad case at all.

Other than her, I don't seem to know anyone who has had it here.

It does seem odd that this year's flu shot was supposed to have been correctly formulated and yet so many who got the shot have also gotten the flu.

One reason the oldsters aren't getting it this year is that they've already had a similar strain in their youth and are now immune. It's why the oldsters in the terrible epidemic of 1918 by and large didn't get sick: they'd already been through a type A flu epidemic about 50 years earlier and were therefore immune.

Me, I don't get flu shots and haven't gotten flu in at least 30 years.

[Marrah_G]

65. I am in Mass

I don't know of anyone in my circle of friends and family who have gotten it yet.

[Marrah_G]

67. I thought you might find this link valuable

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/usmap.htm

[graham4anything]

54. some of the illness is the rhinovirus which the flushot does not help

and some people get the shot too late, so they already have the germs and start of the flu

worst thing people do is go to work when they are sick and infect everyone else, or send their kids to school and they infect

nobody I know who got a shot is ill and its all over NY/NJ

but the shot is never 100%.

also, the weird weather patterns and the weird migration this year in our area of birds, probably means something. Alot of them never went south for the winter, and the next couple of days is going to be near 60. 60! after it was 20 last week.

[kestrel91316]

55. I've got either a bad head cold or the flu that's being tempered by

the flu shot I got in early December.

[Dorian Gray]

62. Luckily I got my flu shot just on Monday before I came down with it.

So many of my friends are super sick this week. I'm thankful that I didn't come down with it. I know there is still a chance, but hopefully it's slim to none!

[FSogol]

63. Isn't it obvious what's going on? Facebook causes the Flu.

[kiva]

64. Cold/flu

chest congestion, lots of coughing, fever, feels like I've been beaten....day four.

[tallahasseedem]

69. I am starting to get symptoms...

as well as a few people I know in Southern New Jersey. This could get very, very ugly!

[KittyWampus]

70. I had a passing bout of stomach/gut flu. Pretty acute. I've never had stomach cramps afterwards.

This time around I had diminishing stomach cramps for 3 days.

I am resolved to wash my hands more often and carry hand sanitizer.

[VOX]

75. In bed now, sick as a whelp w/fever, cough, the works...

Haven't been hit this hard in many, many years. Located in SoCal.

[Ed Suspicious]

76. Sweating, mucusy, feverish, can't sleep, sicker than a dog for three days now. n/t

[d_b]

78. i get the shot every october

[barbtries]

81. i've stayed healthy

but it has hit my office.
anecdotal i know, but after getting the flu really bad in my first two winters here in NC, my doctor put me on calcium with vitamin d, fairly large dose. i haven't had the flu or a cold in the past 3-4 years and really do believe that's why. i am a 57-year-old woman who's never had a flu shot.

[FedUpWithIt All]

86. Sambucol

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11399518

In cases where people are unable to get antivirals due to shortages, Sambucol has been shown to reduce symptoms and shorten duration of most flu strains. It is available in most health food stores.

[X_Digger]

100. Me and the wife both have it.. fever, cough, aches..

I slept the sleep of the drugged / feverish for 15 hours yesterday.

[samsingh]

103. it seems to be going around

[deutsey]

106. Wife had it the other day and two of my kids had it a week or so ago

Nasty thing. Comes on fast and furious out of nowhere, bringing with it vomiting, cramping, severe headache, fever, and diarhea...

[rainbow4321]

107. Don't have it but I am changing my casino-going visits for a while

I live in Texas and over the last few months have started visiting Oklahoma casinos as little mini day trips as getaways. No more for a while, til this flu thing blows over.

Here in the Dallas area, we had a healthy 17 yr old get it who died as well as a little girl who has died..think she was 5 or 7 yrs old. Her parents took her to the ER with chills/fever, she was diagnosed with the flu, sent home, and she died in her sleep.

The 17 yr old was visiting family over the holidays up north, came down sick for a few days, started to feel better, got sick again, was diagnosed with the flu, his kidneys failed, and he was dead within days. The day after he died, his college acceptance letter came in the mail.