Flu shots. You getting one?

[Russian KGB]

Russian i haven't heard anyone down here getting sick yet although the local news is salivating for some news about it. (INFANT DIES OF FLU!!) glad youre feeling better.

Hey G_,

I just watched news and they announced 29 lethal cases of flu in the US. I can't even see my doctor till next week, they are booked up, but I bought antibiotics in Mexico, so I am taking some, and no, I am not feeling better, and I have a BUUUUSY weekend to look forward to.
Last year I didn't get a flu shot and was sick for 2 months, Amoxicilin and other antibs didn't do much for me.
Then he prescribed one called "Ceftin Cefuroxima", a little pricey, but just 2 pills worked magic.

P.S. Hey G_, I have to ask you something.... later....

 

[glennds]

it is good to hear from you. i am sorry you are not feeling well. i came down with the flu last year and i got so sick it was unbelievable. give me a call at my office or PM me.

btw it sounds like the medications you used were antibiotics which are useless against a viral infection. doctors will often prescribe them to appease a patient. it is easier to just prescribe something than explain why it is useless to do so.

sometimes antiobiotics will be prescribed to prevent a secondary infection from a bacterial infection after your immune system is weakened by a viral infection.

 

[Raina]

At school they're advising the nursing students to get flu shots as a version of SARS will quite likely hit the US this winter. So if you get a really severe flu and have had a flu shot, it can hint that the problem is actually SARS.

 

[glennds]

raina isn't SARS a form of viral pneumonia? would the flu shot have any effectiveness against it?

 

[Raina]

No. A flu shot doesn't protect against SARS, but since SARS is very hard to diagnose and looks like the flu, if you've had a flu shot it can clue the dr's in that your flu symptoms aren't likely from influenza.

 

[glennds]

interesting raina.

 

[canadianhitman]

Already got mine weeks ago

 

[JohnnyMolson]

Had one way back on Canadian Thanksgiving.

 

[Y_lifter]

Remember that it takes weeks for your body to develop immunity
after getting the shot.. Get it now, and you could still get the flu if exposed soon after..

You all should have gotten it back in October

 

[javaguru]

raina isn't SARS a form of viral pneumonia? would the flu shot have any effectiveness against it?

1. A vaccine has to be developed for each strain of a virus. The basic premise is that you give a weakened strain so your own immune system develops the immunity.

2. The current flu vaccine doesn't protect from every flu virus currently circulating in the population. Therefore, you could get a flu shot and still be vulnerable to different strains of the influenza virus( you would still get the flu).

3. Those most seriously affected by influenza are those with compromised immune systems, the very old and the very young. However, the 1917 influenza pandemic killed more people than WWI and uncharacteristically struck down those in their prime.