General Discussion

nickinSTL

(4,833 posts)

83. I got a flu shot, and so far, so good

Reply to leftyladyfrommo (Original post)

Fri Jan 18, 2013, 04:48 PM

Jan 2013

I've never gotten a flu shot before, but thought it would be a good idea this year before going to visit my mom, who is currently in a care facility following a major stroke. Between the stroke, being bed-ridden for 7 months, and having not been in the best of health before that, I didn't want to risk exposing her to anything I could prevent.

Fortunately, she got through the Christmas season (complete with her 1 1/2 year old grandson coughing & sounding sick the whole time) without catching anything, and so did I. Of course, I haven't had the flu in longer than I can remember, so I can't say that the shot was responsible this time.

There are a lot of different factors that go into whether the flu shot will be effective each year and in each person. I've heard it's about 60% effective against this year's strain, but that's better than 0%.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

164 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Did you get a flu shot? Has it worked? [View all] leftyladyfrommo Jan 2013 OP

How could anyone know without an antibody test? HereSince1628 Jan 2013 #1

I got one on October 17. Almost everyone at my workplace has been out with the flu. slackmaster Jan 2013 #2

So far, so good. sadbear Jan 2013 #3

At worse it is at least 60% effective, but getting it prior to exposure to flu is the key.. hlthe2b Jan 2013 #4

This is very good advice. Get it as soon as it's available. slackmaster Jan 2013 #6

Keep clean hands as much as possible and brush teeth at least twice a day and before be using kelliekat44 Jan 2013 #49

I've been washing dishes right when I get home DonRedwood Jan 2013 #109

10-14 days is the general time frame laundry_queen Jan 2013 #67

My wife got a flu shot in November. I did not. WilliamPitt Jan 2013 #5

My Mum got the shot in Oct and she went into the arthritisR_US Jan 2013 #16

I'm so sorry WilliamPitt Jan 2013 #19

Thank you Will, I keep having these stupid fits arthritisR_US Jan 2013 #24

Hang in there. WilliamPitt Jan 2013 #27

All my best wishes to you, arthritisR_US.... hlthe2b Jan 2013 #31

Thank you, I can't imagine going through this twice. arthritisR_US Jan 2013 #57

I'm so sorry Marrah_G Jan 2013 #41

Thank you, what doesn't break you makes you arthritisR_US Jan 2013 #59

I am so very, very sorry. *hugs* GreenPartyVoter Jan 2013 #50

You are a sweetie, thank you. arthritisR_US Jan 2013 #60

It is hard to see our parents suffer. I never realized how hard until I watched mine. :( GreenPartyVoter Jan 2013 #69

She is getting to the point where she wants arthritisR_US Jan 2013 #86

:( uppityperson Jan 2013 #94

I totally understood everything you said. *hugs* GreenPartyVoter Jan 2013 #99

Every kind thought you all have posted to me arthritisR_US Jan 2013 #100

I lost both parents and my mother in law before I reached 40 years old, so I understand GreenPartyVoter Jan 2013 #107

I have always known what a dear group DUers are arthritisR_US Jan 2013 #110

It isn't easy and you will hate it, but you can get through it. Keep us posted. :^) GreenPartyVoter Jan 2013 #115

Very sorry vankuria Jan 2013 #62

Thank you luv, you guys give me strength, hope arthritisR_US Jan 2013 #87

I'm so sorry for what you are going through Yo_Mama Jan 2013 #73

Thank you mate. I just can't stand her suffering. arthritisR_US Jan 2013 #89

That's very unfortunate Cali_Democrat Jan 2013 #91

Thanks luv. I do too but sure not looking promising arthritisR_US Jan 2013 #93

I am sorry to hear this Digit Jan 2013 #125

Thank you, I wish I could express just how much arthritisR_US Jan 2013 #131

Oh my dear....I am sooo sorry to hear something this sad. onecent Jan 2013 #135

Thank you luv, it truly means so much to me. arthritisR_US Jan 2013 #137

Gentle thoughts go with you Hekate Jan 2013 #142

Thank you luv. My one brother has come in from arthritisR_US Jan 2013 #158

so sorry. hopemountain Jan 2013 #149

Thank you. It sure not how we expected to start the arthritisR_US Jan 2013 #159

I never got a flu shot. last time i had the flu i was 8 years old im 48 now SummerSnow Jan 2013 #17

That used to be me -- dang, I miss those days! Hekate Jan 2013 #143

Forgive me for interjecting... hlthe2b Jan 2013 #22

No, you're right WilliamPitt Jan 2013 #25

wow, such great news! hlthe2b Jan 2013 #28

Thanks! WilliamPitt Jan 2013 #30

Congratulations! And many more to come! nt bananas Jan 2013 #55

With 15 kids you'll be welcomed in the Quiverfull movement. Jim Lane Jan 2013 #118

Have you ever had the flu? I just don't seem to be susceptible. n/t Sekhmets Daughter Jan 2013 #78

I hope your wife is recovering. FarPoint Jan 2013 #129

She's all better WilliamPitt Jan 2013 #132

CDC Flu Basics...lots of info here: Lars39 Jan 2013 #7

I got the shot and I did NOT get the flu. Lex Jan 2013 #8

My family and I did back in October. trotsky Jan 2013 #9

My family (3 kids, 2 adults) sharp_stick Jan 2013 #10

I got the shot and then came down with safeinOhio Jan 2013 #11

1) it takes 2+ weeks to take full effect, 2) "unkown virus" does NOT = influenza. Care Acutely Jan 2013 #164

I always get a flu shot PasadenaTrudy Jan 2013 #12

Got the shot and have NOT had the flu Cairycat Jan 2013 #13

Yes I did, nick of time Jan 2013 #14

I get one every October & have never once gotten the actual flu in my life. JaneyVee Jan 2013 #15

My wife, myself, and our oldest son all got the shot. Our youngest son did not ... 11 Bravo Jan 2013 #18

Yes....and....So It Would Appear. Iggo Jan 2013 #20

My Flu Shot was great. el_bryanto Jan 2013 #21

Yes, and yes. Robb Jan 2013 #23

I get one every year Mz Pip Jan 2013 #26

Yes. But hub and I both got very mild cases anyway. We are old and always get shots. appleannie1 Jan 2013 #29

Yes, and so far so good. northoftheborder Jan 2013 #32

People also forget that there are severe colds that can kick ass as well as a mild strain of flu. Lars39 Jan 2013 #33

I believe this is the case Lex Jan 2013 #38

Yep, world of difference in a severe cold and a virulant strain of the flu. Lars39 Jan 2013 #45

Yes, I had a wide variety of colds/viruses/stomach bugs but I've only gotten the flu once - it was Pirate Smile Jan 2013 #156

I'm still not sure whether we had a flu or cold. We ticked off all the boxes for flu, but GreenPartyVoter Jan 2013 #56

Wife and I both got it. 99Forever Jan 2013 #34

I got one in November. FSogol Jan 2013 #35

I got the flu shot. Hatchling Jan 2013 #36

Assuming out free UK ones are the same then yes. dipsydoodle Jan 2013 #37

Knock on wood, I have not gotten sick yet. liberal N proud Jan 2013 #39

There are several strains of the flu out this year rightsideout Jan 2013 #40

I got my flu shot in late November. Lugnut Jan 2013 #42

Myself and the kids got the vax in early October. Butterbean Jan 2013 #43

I had the flu shot, but I did not shoot the deputy. Buzz Clik Jan 2013 #44

Two of the four of us in our house got the shot gollygee Jan 2013 #46

I got mine in September, and had a rather mild MineralMan Jan 2013 #47

Got mine - it was quick and painless, zero side effects bhikkhu Jan 2013 #48

I did get the shot and I haven't got the flu. The Velveteen Ocelot Jan 2013 #51

Yes, mid-October. So far it has worked. Auggie Jan 2013 #52

Yes, yes nt XRubicon Jan 2013 #53

No ananda Jan 2013 #54

My family (me, husband and six kids) have been getting annual flu shots since 1988; hedgehog Jan 2013 #58

Yes, yes... Tikki Jan 2013 #61

Yes and yes. Le Taz Hot Jan 2013 #63

have not gotten a shot or had the flu in over 15 years. TeamPooka Jan 2013 #64

Same here and have never had the flu. RebelOne Jan 2013 #82

Yep, and so far so good. I'm thinking of sacrificing a goat for good measure. nolabear Jan 2013 #65

No and n/a marybourg Jan 2013 #66

I got it in October and so far I haven't gotten it. Odin2005 Jan 2013 #68

I got the shot and the flu csziggy Jan 2013 #70

No I did not get the shot and yes it worked. Glassunion Jan 2013 #71

Yes, I got it, no it didn't prevent the flu Yo_Mama Jan 2013 #72

Can only prove if it does NOT work. WinkyDink Jan 2013 #74

CBC: Flu vaccine about 45% effective this year, doctors say u4ic Jan 2013 #75

So much for the herd immunity argument. Prometheus Bound Jan 2013 #90

No I didn't get the shot and I haven't gotten the flu either. nt Raine Jan 2013 #76

Military vet- get shots from V.A. yearly- TVet Jan 2013 #77

I've been getting the flu shot every year that I could, and haven't gotten the flu. Ian David Jan 2013 #79

NBC Nightly News reported that the vaccine is very effective against this strain. Motown_Johnny Jan 2013 #80

got it from my pharmacy which is in the supermarket. Very convenient and with Medicare it is CTyankee Jan 2013 #81

I got a flu shot, and so far, so good nickinSTL Jan 2013 #83

In KCMO, working in a flu infested office... tridim Jan 2013 #84

Yes and yes Samurai_Writer Jan 2013 #85

Four of us have gotten the shot, and none of us the flu -- but it's early. pnwmom Jan 2013 #88

I don't do flu shots Cali_Democrat Jan 2013 #92

I heard just the opposite... greytdemocrat Jan 2013 #95

I got the shot and have not come down with the flu yet. smirkymonkey Jan 2013 #96

Yes and yes, but I got a stomach virus around Christmas time n/t TexasBushwhacker Jan 2013 #97

This is what a nurse told me. Neoma Jan 2013 #98

Influenza rarely causes enlightenment Jan 2013 #130

I got a flu shot and so far I am doing well. I haven't even gotten a cold. southernyankeebelle Jan 2013 #101

Received the shot back in September. No illness so far this winter. LonePirate Jan 2013 #102

No shot and it's worked so far. cherokeeprogressive Jan 2013 #103

got mine in November riverbendviewgal Jan 2013 #104

Never would I get one, they are part of a conspiracy Ter Jan 2013 #105

A conspiracy to keep you from Lex Jan 2013 #113

Except it doesn't work Ter Jan 2013 #120

100% works Lex Jan 2013 #123

How do you know? Ter Jan 2013 #138

I'm exposed almost daily Lex Jan 2013 #147

I'm also exposed to customers, daily Ter Jan 2013 #150

A "don't get the flu" conspiracy!! Logical Jan 2013 #116

I am diabetic Epiphany4z Jan 2013 #106

Yes, after contact with a couple thousand flu patients, so far it's working pediatricmedic Jan 2013 #108

Never got a flu shot in my life Travis_0004 Jan 2013 #111

I`ve never gotten a flu shot or the flu. Everyone at my work who got a shot got sick this year. Sadiedog Jan 2013 #112

So far, so good matt819 Jan 2013 #114

The only way to really know, is mrs_p Jan 2013 #117

Got a flu shot and gotten some mild symptoms rl6214 Jan 2013 #119

It's kind of like asking if the garlic has kept the vampires away. Silent3 Jan 2013 #121

Yes I got the shot tavernier Jan 2013 #122

there are a high number of strains this year TorchTheWitch Jan 2013 #124

last flu shot I got worked fine, I got the flu. hobbit709 Jan 2013 #126

None here yet for us. I've heard the flu shot is quite effective against one strain going around, RKP5637 Jan 2013 #127

I'm tired of all the shooting! Atman Jan 2013 #128

Yes and yes. proud2BlibKansan Jan 2013 #133

No Flu Shot For Me maryland native Jan 2013 #134

Yes. Yes. LWolf Jan 2013 #136

I did, and it's hard to know if it worked. MNBrewer Jan 2013 #139

So far so good, but the main wave is hitting California late Hekate Jan 2013 #140

This is what I know: tantric calvinist Jan 2013 #141

That doesn't even make sense Hekate Jan 2013 #144

She comes, and goes, and comes, and goes, and comes, and goes and is gone again. nt uppityperson Jan 2013 #148

Eike! Orrex Jan 2013 #146

I probably should have since I have a baby Nikia Jan 2013 #145

No. elleng Jan 2013 #151

I got flu 2 weeks after the shot Rosa Luxemburg Jan 2013 #152

Entire family got them and, while we've had viruses, etc., nobody has gotten the flu. Pirate Smile Jan 2013 #153

Yes, and so far catbyte Jan 2013 #154

Only a fool wouldn't get a flu shot! Yes it's working, B Calm Jan 2013 #155

I got the flu shot. People around me have had the flu. kestrel91316 Jan 2013 #157

Yes and yes... Jamastiene Jan 2013 #160

I never get a flu shot and I haven't had flu SheilaT Jan 2013 #161

No one I know got the flu shot. No one I know has got the flu so far. Prometheus Bound Jan 2013 #162

Yes and yes. You heard wrong. This year's shot is a great match Care Acutely Jan 2013 #163