why are so many of you getting the flu?

[wilson6]

I've read several threads now where members are complaining about having influenza then the complications of it (i.e., secondary infection).

What's up with this? With vaccinations available, this shouldn't be such a problem. In fact, this year's vaccine has matched the strains going around pretty well.

If you hate missing workouts, then get a flu shot. While it doesn't prevent GI stuff and colds, it sure helps with that long-term respiratory shit that sets you back for weeks.

W6

 

[JJFigure]

Good advice.

My problem is visiting family (read into that young children) at the holidays. I get sick every time I go home because one of the young ones is always sick. I got over that one pretty quickly though, then got hit with the second one a week later. I never get sick twice in a row like this though. You're right, I should have gotten a flu shot...

 

[Candi Barr]

I always get a flu shot. One year I had flu-like symptoms anyway and I got Relenza. That really seemed to help, at least compared to how sick the people at work got. But I don't need flu to get a secondary upper-respiratory infection. This year I don't even think I had a cold, just a lot of congestion from bad allergies that apparently provided a attractive breeding ground.

 

[Robert Jan]

I have not missed a workout or school lesson for health reasons or had a too high temperature in almost 3 years and i have not thrown up in like 6.

 

[Bikini Mod]

The only time I ever got the flu was when I DID get flu shots. And it was BAD. Temperature of 104+, couldn't get off the couch for 5 days. So, I stopped w/the flu shot. No more flu. Problem solved.

WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY PEOPLE! AND FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE WHEN YOU ARE AROUND LITTLE PEOPLE THAT ARE SICK DO NOT KISS THEM ANYWHERE NEAR WHERE THEIR LITTLE BOOGERS ARE!

I've got a truckload of kids and I rarely get their illnesses. Well, with the exception of stomach bugs, but then that is hardly avoidable. Unless somebody knows something that I don't.

Come to think of it, since I kicked my ex out I have never been healthier! Yes, GI troubles have plagued me since I was a kid, but the closer I get to finalizing my divorce, the more those seem to lessen as well.

 

[JJFigure]

It's when the little ones sneeze in your face that you know you're screwed. I was trying to be helpful and hold one of the little ones while his mom was occupied elsewhere. Then BAM! Sneezed right in my face.

Last time I got a flu shot, I was the sickest I've ever been - that's kind of scared me off. My parents got flu shots this year, and neither of them have been sick, even with the little ones constantly visiting Grandma and Grandpa.

 

[2Shy]

I've had great luck with flu shots in the past. This year, I didn't get a flu shot because of unemployment (even that little bit of money was needed elsewhere). Looking back that was penny wise and pound foolish. I haven't had bronchitis since I was a kid. Go figure.

Spouse can't have flu shots because of allergies.

 

[slinky]

I work in a University and during this time of the year, there are sick college students everywhere! It's amazing that I didn't get sick last year.

I've always been good in planning my sessions so that my flu this year is not from overtraining - but from "over stressing". I've been feverishly (no pun) working on several art projects, while also working fulltime. I guess lack of sleep is also a cause, since I'll get home at 5:30, check/answer emails, do some artwork, take a nap, get back up at 10PM, work till 1AM. Get up at 6AM, get ready to go to to work. THEN it gets real interesting when I have to go to boxing or the gym.

This schedule finally did me in two weeks ago, was practically bed ridden due to a damn hacking cough and fever. Took that week off completely. Last week, felt much better and came back s l o w l y. I'm back now 110%!

And I'm like bikinimom: I got the flu one year after getting a flu shot.

 

[FitFossil]

I haven't been sick in years, no colds, flu, throw-ups, nothing, not even a nice case of the runs. Maybe I've built up a resistence, because everywhere I go people are coughing, sneezing, and talking about how sick they are. I did get the flu a few years ago when I got the flu shot, so I've given up on those.

I wash my hands a lot, and in public restrooms I always use a paper towel to turn the water off and on.

As a kid it seemed I used to catch everything. I even had mono in the 2nd grade.

 

[makedah]

I haven't had a cold in years. I think I had the flu when I was a child. When I worked at the public library last year, my doc said I should get a flu shot -- but I kept forgetting to do it.

Gastro-intestinal problems? I got 'em! Sinus problems? I got 'em! But neither of those seem to be a matter of "catching something."