Need advice! Torn over flu vaccine

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Im a level four student and currently 27 weeks pregnant! Im otherwise healthy, get my rest, drink lots of fluids and orange juice and am careful while during clinicals about touching my mouth,eyes, or nose. Im just torn over whether or not to get the flu vaccine! i know we are in medicine and the US alone is a far more healthy place because of vaccinations and Im all for them but doing research ive read more horror stories occuring after a pregnant women getting the flu shot or H1n1 that i did of pregnant women suffereing debalitating consequences from getting the flu. Yes we are more suppressed and i have come to the conclusion that i should start wearing a mask during clinicals and when in public but i just need some more opininons on what to do.....:nurse:

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Specializes in Critical Care.

we can't give medical advice

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
Im a level four student and currently 27 weeks pregnant! Im otherwise healthy, get my rest, drink lots of fluids and orange juice and am careful while during clinicals about touching my mouth,eyes, or nose. Im just torn over whether or not to get the flu vaccine! i know we are in medicine and the US alone is a far more healthy place because of vaccinations and Im all for them but doing research ive read more horror stories occuring after a pregnant women getting the flu shot or H1n1 that i did of pregnant women suffereing debalitating consequences from getting the flu. Yes we are more suppressed and i have come to the conclusion that i should start wearing a mask during clinicals and when in public but i just need some more opininons on what to do.....:nurse:

Don't go overboard. The only reason you should wear a mask in public is if you're neutropenic.

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Specializes in SICU/CVICU.

What type of journals were you doing your research in?

Everything I've read from CDC, Mayo, and the March of Dimes all say that you should get a flu shot. In fact, pregnant women are among the groups designated as high risk.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

What does your doctor say?

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The FDA is still collecting reports of side effects on the flu vaccine. Some side effects are bleeding, "unusual feeling in arms and legs" 2-4 weeks after the shot, fever, joint and muscle pain, weakness and chills. If I were not pregnant, I would probably get it. Pregnant, I would not. There have been so many unfortunate consequences of vaccines in the past, the majority given to military personnel, esp. around the Gulf War, that it cannot be assumed that any relatively new vaccine is safe.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
Im a level four student and currently 27 weeks pregnant! Im otherwise healthy, get my rest, drink lots of fluids and orange juice and am careful while during clinicals about touching my mouth,eyes, or nose. Im just torn over whether or not to get the flu vaccine! i know we are in medicine and the US alone is a far more healthy place because of vaccinations and Im all for them but doing research ive read more horror stories occuring after a pregnant women getting the flu shot or H1n1 that i did of pregnant women suffereing debalitating consequences from getting the flu. Yes we are more suppressed and i have come to the conclusion that i should start wearing a mask during clinicals and when in public but i just need some more opininons on what to do.....:nurse:

*** FYI wearing a mask will not help you in any way. They are NOT desinged to protect the wearer, but to protect the patient or other from the person who is wearing the mask. Unless you are wearing an M95 mask and have been fitted you will not be protecting yourself by wearing the mask.

My advice on the vaccination is to discuss the issue with your health care provider ASAP.

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Specializes in CVICU.

Can't give advice, but I remember how worried I was about catching things like MRSA when I was a student, and when I think back on it I feel pretty silly. Half of my unit was pregnant for the last 3 years (they rotated, it wasn't one really long pregnancy) and none of them ever wore a mask to take care of patients unless it was mask precautions for everyone, not just pregnant women. None of them had any issues.

All I'm saying is, don't drive yourself crazy with worry over this. Get good advice from your doctor, not Internet blogs.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

moved to our pandemic flu forum use the resources at top of page to discuss this with your ob provider.

closing as you are asking for individual medical advice -not permitted by our terms of service .

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