Class of 2011 Poll - Flu Shots?

[Turtle Feet]

This is only the third time in my entire adult life, but I decided to get a flu shot this season. Since we'll all be in relatively close contact with each other, and since I'll be starting mid-March, I thought it might be an "ounce of prevention" this year.

What's everyone else think?

[Spokes]

Flu shots are a good but probably the biggest "ounce of prevention" for thru-hikers is to remember not to eat out of someone else's food bag!

[max patch]

CDC recommends that everyone over 6 months old get a flu shot this year. I believe this is the first year they have made such a blanket recommendation.

[Pedaling Fool]

I caught something in 2007 when hiking from Springer to Damascus. It started around Erwin and stayed with me all the way to Damascus and beyond. Probably would have gotten over it quicker if I were not hiking and rested more, but I wasn’t going to throw in the towel. It ruined my one and only Trail Days visit.

I’m not sure if it was the flu or not (never got a flu shot), but felt like it could have been bronchitis. Whatever it was it made me very miserable.
http://www.webmd.com/lung/tc/acute-b...topic-overview

[Turtle Feet]

I caught something in 2007 when hiking from Springer to Damascus. It started around Erwin and stayed with me all the way to Damascus and beyond. Probably would have gotten over it quicker if I were not hiking and rested more, but I wasn’t going to throw in the towel. It ruined my one and only Trail Days visit.

I’m not sure if it was the flu or not (never got a flu shot), but felt like it could have been bronchitis. Whatever it was it made me very miserable.
http://www.webmd.com/lung/tc/acute-b...topic-overview

Yeah, alot of people think of the flu as a stomach virus, and Lord knows we have enough of that to deal with, but the flu is respiratory and can be transmitted quite easily:

"You can get the flu if someone around you who has the flu coughs or sneezes. You can get the flu simply by touching a surface like a telephone or door knob that has been contaminated by a touch from someone who has the flu. The viruses can pass through the air and can enter your body through your nose or mouth. If you've touched a contaminated surface, they can pass from your hand to your nose or mouth.
You are at the greatest risk of getting infected in highly populated areas, such as in crowded living conditions and in schools. "

Hopefully we'll all move through the spring months unscathed!

[Luddite]

I'm still waiting for the cold vaccine. I never get the flu, but I do get the common cold every season.

[NCcummins]

Going Friday for a physical and Flu shot.

[Panzer1]

Flu shot, $26 at Acme, no waiting. This double shot will also protect you from the H1N1 variation of the flu.

Panzer

[fiddlehead]

I thought they were for old people.
Do healthy young people really get flu shots?

[Doc Mike]

Flu shots are a good idea for everyone. The Flu most likely won't kill you(unless some underlying health condition) but can make for a completely rotten week. I like to call the Flu shot a 25$ insurance policy and like most insurance you won't need it, but if you do, You will be glad you had the shot.

Doc Mike

[Turtle Feet]

Flu shots are a good idea for everyone. The Flu most likely won't kill you(unless some underlying health condition) but can make for a completely rotten week. I like to call the Flu shot a 25$ insurance policy and like most insurance you won't need it, but if you do, You will be glad you had the shot.

Doc Mike

For sure! As rotten as you feel with the flu in the comfort of your own bed, imagine laying in a tent (no one will want you in the shelters!) with a fever, chills, headache, body aches and no husband/wife, mom/dad, significant other to bring you chicken soup .... makes me shutter to think!!!

[mudhead]

I thought they were for old people.
Do healthy young people really get flu shots?

Yes. Especially if they are around older people, or other compromised health individuals.

[Rocket Jones]

Another point is that up to a quarter of all people who have the flu show few or no symptoms, but they're still contagious. Get a flu shot and you greatly reduce the risk of being a "Typhoid Mary".

[Luddite]

I thought they were for old people.
Do healthy young people really get flu shots?

I thought the CDC recommends that young children and old people get the shot. I don't like the fact that there is formaldehyde in one of the shots approved by the FDA. I know its so the virus won't grow or something but I think I would rather have the flu than mainline forlmaldehyde.

The flu does really suck though. The last time I got it I was fifteen and lost about 7 pounds from not eating.

[NCcummins]

I'm 21, and I get the flu shot. My moms a doc and she recommends it to everyone as well. It's easy, and I think worth it in the long run; especially before a thru hike.

[Toolshed]

I have been recieving the influenza vaccine for at least 18 years now. Granted I worked/working for 2 different manufacturers of the vaccine in the past 15 years, so there is an incentive, but having had influenza in my early 20's, I can honestly say the vaccine is much more preferred.

Many still lump influenza with colds, but they are very different and influenza with high fevers, dehydration, muscle pain and exhaustion can easily & quickly become deadly - especially in the weaker immune systems where pneumonia can set in. (Note the Pnemonia vaccine is another nice to have).

(note: technical gobblygook....)
This years Influenza vaccine contains Antigens for the 2 most predominant influenza virus's (typical) plus H1N1, so you are receiving 3 antigens this year.
....$25 insurance policy...I like that!!!

[BobTheBuilder]

Well, somebody ought to disagree here.

Never had the flu shot, haven't had the flu in 25 years. I think it is all a conspiracy to create fear and a dependency on big brother for protection. I don't like the whole idea. No flu shot for me.

[Speakeasy TN]

Well, somebody ought to disagree here.

Never had the flu shot, haven't had the flu in 25 years. I think it is all a conspiracy to create fear and a dependency on big brother for protection. I don't like the whole idea. No flu shot for me.

I got mine this year because I know that I'll be stressing my body and decided to stack the odds a bit.

Bob I never get sick, but guess what? I got to play with H1N1 last year. It was the most miserable I've ever been. NO WAY would somebody be able to hike thru it. Best of luck avoiding these bugs, but I'll go with "better safe than sorry."

[Toolshed]

Well, somebody ought to disagree here.

Never had the flu shot, haven't had the flu in 25 years. I think it is all a conspiracy to create fear and a dependency on big brother for protection. I don't like the whole idea. No flu shot for me.

OMG .... you're on to us. Looks like we'll have to send out the silent helicopters to visit you...... (againn...)

[M1 Thumb]

Well, somebody ought to disagree here.

Never had the flu shot, haven't had the flu in 25 years. I think it is all a conspiracy to create fear and a dependency on big brother for protection. I don't like the whole idea. No flu shot for me.

....just like vaccines for polio, measles, mumps, tetanus, rubella...... just part of the big conspiracy. Right........




(for those that need help, the above should be read with a sarcastic tone)