# Should I get the flu shot? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 21, 2003, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-the-flu-shot/208738 "2003-10-21T17:31:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2003, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-the-flu-shot/208738/21 "2003-10-23T00:11:59Z")
**cowgirl** , let’s address your cites one by one. Your first link affirms the usefulness and efficacy of Influenza vaccinations. Your second link is to a quackery site, pure and simple Your third link selectively quotes the cited article. The intact quote is " **Measles** vaccination produces immune suppression which contributes to an increased susceptibility to other infections. " By dropping the word “measles”, they completely alter the intent of the article. The article is correct, measles innoculation may well cause increases susceptibility to other infections during the time period when the body is reacting to the initial measles vaccination. So it might not fight off a cold so well. But it’s a **damn** sight better than getting measles!!! Your fourth link seems to imply that you’re better off in the long run for getting sick. Well, that which does not kill or cripple one may make one stronger, but the flu kills thousands, and saps the health of many more, especially the otherwise vulnerable. I don’t buy into this link’s doctor/author authority’s thinking. This Dr. Hoffman is the Medical Director of the Hoffman Center (how’d he get that position?) and advocates the “Hoffman ulcer diet” for stomach complaints, and is heavily into Holistic and Alternative medicine. He touts immunity boosters, diets and supplements for healthy hair, and generally makes my alarm bells ring. I would advise any healthy person who does not have an egg allergy or a history of Guillaume-Barre syndrome to strongly consider getting the flu shot. QtM, MD ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2003, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-the-flu-shot/208738/22 "2003-10-23T03:18:58Z")
**QtM,** could you define “healthy”? If I hadn’t been so spcaed out at the time, I’d have asked my own doc the last time I saw him, which was a couple of weeks ago. On one hand, I can’t remember the last time I had a cold or flu. On the other hand, I’m asthmatic, and finally managed to kick my third case of bronchitis in the past year (thus the 2 doctor visits in the past month). I know I’m at higher risk for complications of flu, but also for complications of the vaccine, no? What factors am I balancing here, and how should I balance them? ---
**Author:** ![artemis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@artemis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/artemis)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2003, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-the-flu-shot/208738/23 "2003-10-23T04:20:41Z")
**Eva** , if you’re asthmatic, you should DEFINITELY get the flu shot. You’re at increased risk of serious complications from influenza, but (contrary to your gut feeling), your asthma does NOT place you at increased risk of complications from the vaccination (which is a killed virus vaccine). People at increased risk from the flu vaccine are those people with a history of egg allergy, who’ve had a severe reaction to the vaccine in the past, or who’ve ever had Guillian-Barre syndrome. If you don’t fall into one of those categories, your risks of developing a serious reaction are miniscule (far lower than the risk you face should you catch the flu). Earlier in this thread, someone provided the link to the CDC’s influenza vaccine information page. If you want more detailed information, check out [the MMWR Prevention and Control of Influenza document.](http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5208a1.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2003, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-the-flu-shot/208738/24 "2003-10-23T10:08:44Z")
The flu shot does NOT put asthmatics at increased risk - it’s the nasal spray vaccine that does that. Which puts me in a bit of a quandry - I have asthma (fortunately mild as these things go) AND I’m allergic to flu shots.\* I was hoping this nasal spray thing might be an option for me, but apparently it’s not ☹ So I _strongly encourage_ everyone _else_ to get a flu shot, because if YOU don’t catch the flu then you CAN’T give it to me. Yes, I do seem to get the flu every year. Fortunately, my body seems to fight it off pretty well, too. Then again, when I get it I go straight to bed instead of “toughing it out” and have my devoted husband to hover over me and take me to a doctor if things start to look dicey. I do my best to stay healthy and eat right otherwise. And I’ve turned into a compulsive handwasher. Does all that help? I don’t know. - Back in college, a too-helpful nurse actually did pursue me across a room with a vaccination gun, me yelling “If you can’t handle anaphylaxis keep that thing away from me!” Another case of “you must be exaggerating the allergy situation, this won’t hurt you”. Fortunately, her supervisor intervened before I had to hurt her. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2003, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-the-flu-shot/208738/25 "2003-10-23T13:17:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Qadgop the Mercotan \* > **I would advise any healthy person who does not have an egg allergy or a history of Guillaume-Barre syndrome to strongly consider getting the flu shot.** Bad choice of words on my part. My advice was _meant_ to tell healthy people to get the shot too. People with chronic illnesses should definitely get it!!! ---
**Author:** ![cowgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8c91f0/32.png) [@cowgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cowgirl)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2003, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-the-flu-shot/208738/26 "2003-10-23T13:44:44Z")
Thanks for the input, **QtM**. I hate when people use their elite knowledge to try to pull a fast one - and I really appreciate it when others use their own elite knowledge to call bullshit on them ! ---
**Author:** ![tanookie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/48db29/32.png) [@tanookie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tanookie)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2003, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-the-flu-shot/208738/27 "2003-10-23T14:43:18Z")
I get my flu shot every year 🙂 I have chronic renal disease and don’t need the flu on top of it. Oh and if you live with a high risk person you should get the shot too so you don’t bring the flu home to them. One thing I don’t advocate is getting too many shots in one day! I got a flu shot, hep B shot, MMR booster and Tetanus shot all in one visit. Puked my guts out for 3 days. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2003, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-the-flu-shot/208738/28 "2003-10-23T15:01:32Z")
Flu shot update: One stabbing, one lollipop, and 24 hours later, my arm is still sore. The is the first time I’ve ever had any kind of reaction. Stupid flu shot. ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2003, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-the-flu-shot/208738/29 "2003-10-23T15:10:22Z")
What are the side effects of the shot? Me and my son get colds every winter. Should we get the shot? ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2003, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-the-flu-shot/208738/30 "2003-10-23T15:38:00Z")
To reinforce the advice given to **Eva Luna**. 1.) Asthmatics should be vaccinated against the flu, because their asthma means that if they get the flu, their symptoms will probably be much worse. 2.) Asthmatics should get the flu **shot** , NOT the new nasal spray. I’m asthmatic and I get my annual flu shot here at my workplace … this year’s clinic is November 5. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2003, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-the-flu-shot/208738/31 "2003-10-23T15:45:04Z")
**Vanilla,** I’m quoting to you from the little slip of paper I got along with my stabbing. Hope I’m not violating any copyright laws… > [@](#): > > Locate reactions following the Influenza Vaccination include soreness, redness, and induration (firmess) at the injection site which typically last one to two days. If you experience a mild site reaction, apply a cold compress to the site and take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, etc.) as direction. > > Less than 1% of vaccine recipients report non-specific symptoms of fever, chills, fatigue, and muscle aches. These symptoms may start within six (6) to twelve (12) hours of receiving the vaccine and may last up to 48 hours. Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, etc.) for symptomatic relief. > > Should you experience a severe local reaction or flue type illness, consult your personal medical provider for direction. ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2003, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-the-flu-shot/208738/32 "2003-10-23T15:46:36Z")
As **Qadgop the Mercotan** would surely say, cold viruses and flu viruses are completely different beasts and have absolutely no relationship to one another, **vanilla**. So whether your son and you get a lot of colds in the winter or none should have no effect on your decision. The question is, do you want to avoid the flu? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2003, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-the-flu-shot/208738/33 "2003-10-23T15:47:15Z")
Blargh. Please excuse typos. I blame it on my sore arm. ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2003, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-the-flu-shot/208738/34 "2003-10-23T18:41:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Spiff \* > \*\*As **Qadgop the Mercotan** would surely say, cold viruses and flu viruses are completely different beasts and have absolutely no relationship to one another, **vanilla**. > > So whether your son and you get a lot of colds in the winter or none should have no effect on your decision. > > \*\* Well now, I’d argue with this. I would assume that, in general, anyone who gets a lot of colds is someone who gets exposed to a lot of susceptible people. Say, for example, me, who has a preschooler who shares toys and such with dozens of little monsters at daycare. He brings home a lot of stuff, mostly the common cold. When the flu starts going around, I’ll bet he’ll be a vector for that, too. Cold viruses and flu viruses may be different beasts, but they are spread in similar ways and both know how to take a ride on a useful host. ---
**Author:** ![Caprese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9a28c/32.png) [@Caprese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caprese)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2003, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-the-flu-shot/208738/35 "2003-10-23T19:54:53Z")
Kids do indeed spread a lot of germs around. One thing which I don’t think has been mentioned is the fact that the flu shot does not necessarily keep you from getting the flu. It is made up of several strains of what they think will be the prevalent flu, and for most folks, that’s good enough. Several years ago I went smugly told myself, as the flu season began, that having gotten my usual flu shot, I wasn’t going to get sick. That winter I got the worst flu I’ve ever, ever had. I teach preschool. There are lots and lots of germs at preschool. I still get flu shots, and still teach preschool, and \ have never been that sick again. But it can happen. ---
**Author:** ![Fnoonf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f6c823/32.png) [@Fnoonf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fnoonf)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2003, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-the-flu-shot/208738/36 "2003-10-23T21:16:39Z")
I’ve never gotten a flu shot, and up until four days ago, I’d never gotten the flu. I will always get a flu shot from now on. Seriously, I haven’t been this sick for over 15 years. Every negative symptom you can imagine, all visited upon you simultaneously with an almost demonic efficiency. Bring on the pinprick and the arm soreness any day, because it couldn’t possibly be worse than this, not by any measure. Get the shot. ---
**Author:** ![Futile\_Gesture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f05b48/32.png) [@Futile\_Gesture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Futile_Gesture)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2003, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-the-flu-shot/208738/37 "2003-10-23T21:35:56Z")
People are forever saying they have flu, when all they have is a bad cold. When you have flu, you know all about it. I got it two years ago and I felt like I was going to die. It wiped two weeks out of my life. It’s _nothing_ like a couple of days off work and feeling stuffy for a week. I’m always offered a flu shot every autumn, goes with the job. But always decline. I’ve just got a problem with medicating myself when I’m not ill. On the other hand, I _always_ get colds. If there’s on going I’ll get it. I have one right now and I’ll have about another three to one degree or another before spring, guaranteed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-get-the-flu-shot/208738.md?page=1)