REMINDER - Get Your Vaccines!

[jensequitur]

Quix coming down with the flu reminded me - get your flu shots and pneumonia shots as soon as they come in.  

I know some people say that they get sick with the shot, and if you're one of those, feel free to skip it.  I skipped it last year and spent four days on the couch, feeling REALLY bad.  And I only have five sick days total for the year!  

I don't think I'll be skipping it this year.

[jensequitur]

I have a terrible immune system - me and hubby are exposed to the same diseases, and I get sick twice as often.  Part of it might be that my lungs aren't working properly, which leads to me getting bronchitis more than I should.  Hubby's just sniffling, I'm coughing up lung cookies.

The lowdown on flu vaccines is - unless you're in the middle of a relapse, go ahead and get the flu shot.  There's nothing but dead fragments of virus in there, which are meant to activate your immune system and get it alerted to those viruses.  

DO NOT take the nasal mist vaccine, because it contains live virus culture, which can be a problem.  Especially if you're taking a immunosuppressant drug.

http://ms.about.com/od/treatments/a/flu_shot.htm

My workplace has moved all of us into the same large room, so we're all sharing the same air and all getting the same diseases.  I only get 5 days of sick time a year, and I'm out of sick days.  (Four of those were for the flu!)  If I want to take another sick day, I have to use a vacation day...  :-(  If I was actually sick-sick, I would definitely not come to work.  When I'm fatigued and not feeling very good, I'll work a half-day and take some vacation time for the rest.  

I'd rather not get the flu shot, but I don't have a lot of sick time to spend.  If you do, feel free!

[doublevision1]

I have never had the flu vaccine and generally tend not to get sick (oh yeah, except for this l'il MS thing) although I'm considering getting the vaccine this year.  My employer provides the flu vaccine on site for free, to any employees who want it. I am finally going back to work this week after a year long absence, and am concerned about exposure to the flu bug, as my office is notorious for people coming to work sick.  Even though we have generous ill benefits in addition to free flu vaccine.  Go figure!  It bugs me that people come to work sick, and don't consider that they may be putting others at risk, esp those whose immune systems may be compromised.

[brandisnif4]

My MS specialist told me specifically to NOT get any of the shots, take echincea etc... I tend to believe her since she is on the NMSS  board.  I don't remember the reason why though. Sorry.

[sllowe]

Thanks Jens!

I've still never gotten my vaccines.  And, I'm s c a r e d too!  

-Shell

[Lulu54]

Hi, you don't need to get the pneumonia vaccine every year - once will do you until you reach a certan age, I believe I remember 65, and then you need to get it again.  My pcp says I have to get the flu shot - no choice since my MI and possible MS.  Thanks for the timely reminder.  - Laura