#%@&$ Flu Shot!

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

In years' past, we were encouraged to get flu shots. This year it is mandatory. I never got them before because the only time I did I was feverish and sick for a couple of days afterward. I have only gotten the real flu 1 time in the past 20 years! So, yesterday I dutifully went for my flu shot and here I am with a fever and feeling sore and miserable. And, yes, they expect me to go to work tomorrow. Hopefully the fever will be gone. I HATE flu shots!!!:angryfire

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

Peds Dr told me to give Tylenol 30 min before their immunizsation shots---take before flu shot every year and only get mild arm soreness and kept flu away.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in trauma/ m.s..

I don't see how they can make it mandatory. If it ever comes up again say you are allergic to eggs. My daughter is and can never have a flu shot...but i don't think they can make that sort of thing mandatory:banghead:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'll tell ya, I am THANKFUL for having an appointment to receive the shot!

Last year, I got INCREDIBLY sick, they thought I had pnuemonia, I had a fever that couldn't be controlled with anything, and couldn't breathe. I then ended up with a bronchial and sinus infection. All over my birthday too! I had severe laryngitis for SIX weeks! I couldn't even whisper! They think I had contracted at LEAST one or two flu viruses at the same time! I hadn't gotten the shot because they ran out!!

The PRIOR year, I was in my first trimester of my pregnancy, there was an extreme shortage of vaccine. When I hit 13 weeks, I BEGGED for the shot, since I am high risk, every cold flu virus I catch settles in my lungs and causes severe bronchitis. Has since I was one. Anyhow..... no vaccine, nothing available at all, sure enough, that was November, by March, I had the flu!!! At 28 weeks pregnant! My oxygen level was dangerously low, and my lungs weren't functioning well. So, I ended up on all kinds of meds just to breathe!! It was that, or be admitted. VERY scary while pregnant. I was a "croup" baby, not uncommon here in the high altitudes, but I NEVER completely grew out of it. I do NO have asthma. Sooo......

After being incredibly sick, and losing work and taking MONTHS to recover.

I personally will get the shot.

I don't know about being mandated to get one, however they are saying this year the flu could be incredibly bad, almost pandemic, from reports I've seen. I am healthy and young and it almost hospitalized me twice in 2 years!

Good health to all!

Dragracermom!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Looking for a career in NICU.

I just have the personal issues with taking shots for everything. When I finish nursing school and get more educated on the subject, I my change my mind.

I don't even take my dogs to get their shots every year. I do the first year puppy shots, rabies (there is no way I'll put a child through shots due to one of my dogs), and that's it. They pick more up at the vet than anywhere else, they are inside dogs with a fenced in yard, and they are just not around other animals.

Obviously, the dogs are not people, but I am a firm believer that over medication is leading to a rash of "allergy kids". Who remembers this when we were kids? Nobody! There was always that ONE kid in class who was allergic to everything, and now kids sit around in the playground and compare medications and allergy reactions.

The only extra shot I got my daughter was one of the Hepatitis shots (A maybe?)...it's the one that isn't mandatory in the school systems but is now recommended, but I also asked how long they have been giving the shots, and I was told they have had the vaccine available for 15 years or better, and I was ok with that, so she got the shot.

I know this is a thread on flu shots (can you tell this is a sensitive subject with me? ha ha!), but I really think that nature, in many ways, is our best defense, and the more we medicate ourselves, we are not giving our bodies a chance to build up a good immune system.

When my daughter was about a year old, her nanny thought she had allergies (runny nose, sneezy when the pollen count was high)..my response? Take her OUTSIDE! Her body can't learn to deal with it if she is always covered up and underexposed.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Looking for a career in NICU.

sorry, duplicate

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Looking for a career in NICU.
I don't know about being mandated to get one, however they are saying this year the flu could be incredibly bad, almost pandemic, from reports I've seen. I am healthy and young and it almost hospitalized me twice in 2 years!

I'll be the first to admit, if I had your experience, I would probably think differently.

I just wonder if some people are just more prone to illness than others?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in primary care, pediatrics, OB/GYN, NICU.

I get a flu shot every year and seem to stay healthier each winter and not get all the crud going around. This year however, I got really sick within 24 hours of getting my shot and was sick, and felt really crummy, for over a week. That's never happened before.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'll be the first to admit, if I had your experience, I would probably think differently.

I just wonder if some people are just more prone to illness than others?

TOTALLY! EVERY cold or sinus thing I get, usually settles in my lungs, and not kindly either. I was in an oxygen tent at the ripe old age of one with "croup", and literally used to get it everytime the wind blew. Which here is OFTEN!

I was not around children much for YEARS, became a full time mom to a 5 year old, 4 years ago and my immune system has had quite a time of it.

So yes, I DO think some are more prone to certain illnesses, I almost NEVER have stomach issues though.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, Infection Control.

If you get sick w/in 24hrs of getting the shot, it wasn't the shot. You caught something.

If you work in areas like NICU, oncology, etc., TPTB can tell you to get immunized or don't work there! In those areas, you're getting the shot to protect the patients. Any benefit to you is just a bonus! (@ least that's their point of view!)

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

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Janey, if this helps, my preceptor and 2 other people have told me why they do take their flu shots.

The first year they got it they were sick, but in the years afterwards -they have been taking it every year since- they have NOT gotten sick.

I hope you feel better soon.

I personally do not want a flu shot. But if I do, I will try to get it the day of work right before a 2-3day off period. And I will take the Motrin as mentioned above.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I always get a flu shot for myself and my kids. One yr. my youngest daughter was hospitalized 3 times in one season for the flu. She'd get to feeling better, be released, and than BAM, it'd hit again and always harder than the last time. She suffered so much. It was awful!

I, too, wonder about this season being harder than most. We're already seeing people with major lung infections. Our beds are full. Many of our nurses are also feeling sick.

Our employee flu shot clinic is the first week in November. I'll be there!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D.

I've gotten a flu shot every year the last few years and it has worked great for me. I'm going to try to get it for my children this year too.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment