Flu Shot saves lives?

[specialmom]

So, what do you think?  Back in the day when I was more involved in the medical world, the big fear with the flu wasn't so much the actual flu which feels horrible, don't get me wrong, but the secondary infections that people got.  Pneumonia being a big one and I've read more and more about sepsis post flu.  

Do you think the flu shot could ultimately save lives or is it a waste of time?  Because on the other hand, really getting the flu doesn't happen all that much to most people.  I've had 'true flu' two times in my life. You know the difference of flu verses other illnesses if you have ever had it.  I had it once in college along with half my dorm and once in my 20's where I didn't surface from my apartment for a week. So, to get the flu shot or not?  Thoughts??  

[mkh9]

Hi and thanks for your comment. Even though they don't always get the right strain of the flu in the vaccine the same strain of flu usually carries on a few years after that. So then they put in the previous years flu strain in the vaccine  and it will provide protection from it. Last year there were a number of deaths from the flu. It was a very bad strain. So you can't predict which years are going to be mild or severe. The years that the strain H1N1 was out a lot of teens and college age kids got a very bad flu and some died. That next year they put in H1N1 and it came back the next couple of years. It prevented a lot of people from getting it. Same goes with this year. Last year the vaccine didn't work for the bad strain and some got very ill and got run down and then got pneumonia and so forth. This year it will come back and we may get another strain but we'll protected from the bad strain of last year and also they can predict correctly and prevent most of the flu. Lots of people won't get the shot and they will potentially get the flu and spread it to those that are not immune either by not getting vaccinated or from having had it the year before. I don't think getting the flu shot is a big deal at all. You might feel a bit tired for a day. But really it is much better than getting seriously ill. Those with children and the elderly are at particular risk, also health care workers. Also, for those that have a very good immunity like college kids for example. They often get a bad strain worse than sometimes people say in their 40-50's because their immune system overwhelms them when they get a bad flu like last year or H1N1, and it is the immunity that can actually kill the person. They get pneumonia from the cell overload. It causes fluid buildup then infection. It is like having a bad allergic reaction. Personally, I usually stay away from crowds/and or close contact with people coughing and sneezing  and wash my hands and the door knobs and water handles often during the flu season.  So those are my thoughts. That it is more beneficial than not. I still get the flu shot and both of these things have helped.
Regards,

mkh9

[specialmom]

Thanks for the great information.  I'm going to ask another general question about the sick season to come . . . as I refer to it.  :>)

[mkh9]

Sure what is your question?