What do people think of getting a flu jab? I normally avoid as I don’t believe they get the right strains and rather let my immune system deal with it, but having now had AF, I’m not sure
Flu Jab: What do people think of... - Atrial Fibrillati...
Flu Jab
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LaceyLady
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I always have it, may not be perfect but I think better than nothing.
If your at risk in terms of your health i.e. Diabetic or other similar health issues speak to your GP about it!
I would have it. I think if it only stops certain strains of flu at least we will protected from those. I had a horrible virus with high temps last winter ( not the flu) and that bought my AF back with a vengence so any bit of protection I can get, I will take! X
The side effects from the flu jab?
Never had any side effects other than a slightly sore arm for a couple of days
You can't get flu from a flu jab as it is not a live virus, Another internet scary story no doubt! Lets deal with facts not rumours.
The only side effect I've had is when I didn't get a formaldehyde free version. I used to itch for weeks after some as I later found as when having allergy testing that I was allergic to it and cinnamon. Now I always ask if it is formaldehyde free as most now are. Formaldehyde was at one time used to kill the live virus.
I have had it for the last 20 years at least. It gives some protection and viral illnesses can trigger AF so any help worth it.
Last year was my first year because I am on the ‘high risk’ register for heart and because I take immune suppressants.
I think it is dependant upon age and any other risk factors. If you are otherwise healthy and under 65 - I would be hesitant also.
I’m 62 only have the SVT & AF.
I really not wanting the Mercury that come with it😳
In UK there is a Mercury free version. I asked at my GP surgery & their suppliers do not contain Mercury.
Hi LL
While immunisation has been short of a miracle, in cases like polio, I too allow my body to deal with flu and the likes. So far fairing no worse than my 'immunised' colleagues.
Let your overall health and personal preference guide you well
J (-:
My mother’s sister ended up with polio after having the ‘preventative’, wasn’t right for many years. 👍🏻
Hi LL
Sorry to hear about your mum.
My parents witnessed the 'polio epidemic' stopped almost instantaneously, as the vaccine appeared. Likely, my life/ health was saved too.
Regardless, I do share your concerns about over-vaccinating. Hence I do not take the flu jabs
J (-:
I had a friend who died from the flu. He never got the shot.
I only had flu once & was very, very ill for 3 months & I was in my 20’s then & very fit. Trouble is the jab may or may not protect you from the most recent, active strains so it’s still a bit of a lottery but some protection is better than none. My worry is that I have had pneumonia several times in the last few years as a result of mild flu.
Me too - four times in the last two years, in February last year I ended up in hospital. I can't understand why pneumonia is described as the 'old man's friend', having pneumonia is anything but peaceful. But I never hesitated at the vaccine either, anything that remotely helps to avoid getting it again!
It is because pneumonia is often the cause of death in the very elderly.
I know, but perhaps because I never reached the state of reduced consciousness (which apparently happens in the very elderly) I was so aware of my symptoms; convulsive coughing to the degree I burst blood vessels all over my face and neck (probably not helped by being on warfarin). Antibiotics soon kicked in but it still takes about 8 weeks to get back to normal.
I think people can be vaccine cautious and often forget the huge toll these diseases take. As I have got older I am realising just how much more susceptible I am. I always had a really strong immune system so never worried too much but I have radically changed my beliefs alongside the newer, safer vaccines coming through.
By taking the vaccine we can help protect the whole community but I do wish there was a lot more serious, reliable information freely available rather than just campaigning - either way.
The Pneumonia is another bone of contention😳 In the U.K., we have old ‘live’ vaccine, causes problems. In the US, they have a much newer non-live vaccine, better!
Daughters work colleague last year had both and ended up REALLY ill, because she had health issues, she’d asked the nurse if it was wise to have both together, nurse said she didn’t have separate vaccines, so she was seriously ill with bad advice!
No we don’t. With MG & being on immune suppressants I cannot have any live vaccines so there are alternatives. Whether or not they are generally available I couldn’t say.
Your colleague’s daughter definitely received bum advice!
I had shingles and flu inoculations at the same time a fortnight ago… and have felt a bit rough since.
Pneumococcal vaccine is not a alive vaccine and never has been.
I think you are getting muddled with the shingles vaccine which is live in U.K. and not recommended for anyone who is immunocompranised . In other parts of the world they use a two stage shingles vaccine which is not live therefore safe if you’re immunocompranised.
I always make sure to get my shot each year. I had a bout of flu ten or eleven years ago when I was 65 and didn’t know then that I probably had the beginnings of AF. I really felt like I was going to expire - it was dreadful.
My feeling is that AF is quite enough for my body to deal with and a bout of one of the more virulent strains of flu will do nothing for the state of my immune system. If the vaccine can help avoid this year’s virus, then I’m in favour.
I had the same Finvola in 2011. Flu followed by bronchitis followed by putting a vertebrae out in my back through coughing. For me I now realise that my AF started then. Thought at the time that fast hr was due to flu. Always always have the flu jab now
I'm in the US. In 2017 (a particularly severe year), we lost more than 80,000 people. They were all different ages. Get the shot.
in reply to kvmj
That is a false statement. The CDC lumps all deaths from flu, pneumonia and other respiratory illness together. They do not give out a separate number for flu deaths, which would be much lower. And surprise, surprise, the year they said that was for a year where the flu vaccine was a total mismatch for the circulating strains.
G'day,
I'm a 75 year old male with osteoarthritis and AF. I've been having the jabs for years with no side effects. I'm vulnerable to flu not by health status but by occupation, I drive buses ( yes still at my age I work a 6 day fortnight) and all year round I have passengers coming on board the bus swiping their card or paying cash while talking to me about where they wanna go and breathing all over me while doing so.
Great!
So, I wouldn't be without it. No side effects - and no flu either .... from any source.
John
LaceyLady in reply to
I can understand as you’re constantly in contact with the public.
Well, I seem to be in the minority. I'll be turning 63 in a couple of days. I've never had the flu and my wife was a teacher for the past 26 years and I've never had the flu shot. I know she's brought it home before. I think it depends on the person. US also.
in reply to tbone421998
I am 67 and have never had a flu shot. I had the flu once in 2011 and when my doctor called with the lab results he said at least I would never get that strain again.
My wife is 67 and has never had a flu shot and she has never had the flu.
We do everything we can to build our immunity naturally, not tinker with it with all the nasty stuff in vaccines. Our functional medicine practitoner recommends a Vitamin D loading protocol at the start of each flu season. My wife does it every October. I am too chicken to take that much at once. It is 150,000 units for 3 days, then 100,000 units for 3 days and then 50,000 units for 3 days. She was cleared to do this as her kidney function is excellent. Then she goes back to taking her normal 5,000 - 10,000 units per day, depending on blood test results, which she has been doing for 12 years. She had genetic testing to find out why, even with massive doses of Vitamin D, her 25 OHD levels remained very low. Turns out she has a genetic inability to process Vitamin Dand also genetic problems with B12 and antioxidants. She also takes 12 grams of Buffered Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) daily.
I have an MTHFR mutation that makes getting rid of all the other crap in vaccines difficult for me. When our son, who has the same mutation, had a flu shot in 1999 he developed autoantibodies instead of antibodies to the flu. Thanks to the flu shot he has Hashimoto's.
Back in 2012 my secretary developed Guillain Barre after the flu shot. She had the progressive paralysis starting in her legs and working up. At one point she was on a ventilator. She was in the hospital for a month before going to a rehab facility. She is still in a wheelchair 7 years later. She had to quit working for me because the weakness and numbness in her hands continued to the point where she could no longer write or type. She is fighting her case for compensation in the US Federal Vaccine Court. FYI: Flu shots are responsible for the most payouts!
I would rather have the flu than risk being paralyzed.
I believe if there were truly informed consent, with a list of all the ingredients in all vaccines, and all the possible side effects given to people in advance, not so many people would line up like sheep.
My wife went into anaphalactic shock from a tetanus shot. Thankfully, she was still in the ER when it happened, otherwise if she had gone home she would have been alone and probably would have died, as I was away on a business trip when it happened. We found out after the shot that it was grown in a Bovine Casein Medium and contained yeast. She is highly allergic to all things Bovine, to Casein and off the charts allergic to both brewers and bakers yeast.
LaceyLady in reply to
Omg. So ‘Trust me, I’m a doctor’!!!! This is why we have the problems that have no developed with people not getting vaccinated, who do you trust?
I was over dosed in A& E on meds’ for AF!! The other week an81 yr old woman died because they’d over dose her on heart meds, same hospital as me 😳
I have PAF and have had a flu jab from the age of 59 (6 years ) and swear by it. I had a bad bout of the flu about 7 years ago and wouldn't want to risk not having a jab. I suggested last year that my 26 year old daughter, who occasionally has heart palpitations, had one and she did!
I always get it and so far so good. Now they have a stronger strain for the elderly so it's a trade-off as the flu and severe respiratory illness can be very hard as people get older.
I have persistent AF and wear a pacemaker. In the last few years I have had several bouts of pneumonia, one of which resulted in septicaemia. I had already had the pneumonia vaccine but was subsequently told that it didn't, like the flu jab, cover all strains. Still, I have the flu jab every autumn because I figure it will cover something and something is better than nothing. I am determined to get through this next winter, preparing for a BHF sponsored walk along the Camino de Santiago de Compostela in the spring, and I am trusting the flu jab (the stronger strain for the elderly as I am 80) to help me through unscathed.
I always have the flu jab and in New Zealand we have Buccaline you can buy it over the counter in the pharmacy.
If you take it twice in a year you wont get a head cold any kiwi on here will know what I'm talking about I don't know if its just something you can buy here
I just looked it up - seems to be an oral vaccine against secondary bacterial infections such as bacterial pneumonia. Won’t prevent virus infections so will be ineffectual against head cold or viral pneumonia.
I beg to differ on this one Buccaline does prevent colds your ordinary head cold that is my husband and daughter take it as well its amazing
Come on any kiwis on here back me up
The one time I didnt take it i did get a cold.
It really works honestly
Buccaline is an oral antibacterial prophylaxis of complications of colds.
onlinepharmacynz.com/produc...
medsafe.govt.nz/profs/Datas...
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
Vaccinations should not be given during acute febrile illnesses. Buccaline is not intended as an alternative to influenza vaccination and does not offer protection against viral coughs and colds. Buccaline may be used as an adjunct to influenza vaccination.
From the horse’s mouth.
pharmacydirect.co.nz/Buccal...
As you can see they dont just give this to anyone there are rules
I had the flu shot the other day with little side effects, just a sore arm. I have it every year as I have Crohns Disease and my immune system is very low. I was worried it might affect my AF but thank goodness I was ok. Think it’s better to have it than get sick.
Well I do have it,and work on the theory that something is better than nothing! I was also given a pneumonia jab this time.xx
I am getting mine done on Thursday morning in Tesco's. The local GP has a cunningly designed medical centre that doubles up as a germ distribution facility, with special offers on a Monday morning.
I was wary of having the flu jab because of side effects., I seem to get all the side effects from medications, then I got the flu a few years ago and it took six weeks to feel half human again. So I have had it for the last three years.,Firstly to my surprise I had no side effects. I barely felt the jab. Once I had a very slight sore arm the day after. Even if it doesn’t cover all strains, it covers the ones most prevalent for that season. Getting the flu was dreadful and my AF played up.
I never have it, but I think it's a personal choice as to whether we do or not. I have enough poisons going into my body with the pills I have to take.
Interestingly, neither my mum, MiL, FiL, Grand MiL, Grandpa iLaw got pneumonia, in-laws got to 91, 94!! My mum sadly had arthritis badly, None had the Pneumonia jab, wasn’t available
I always have it as I am caring for my mum in law who is 98 so I am in contact with lots of elderly folk in her retirement complex.
I always have my flu jab as I work on a hospital ward where my chances of coming in to contact with it are very high risk.We are actively encouraged to have our flu jabsat work .I had mine yesterday I'm 62. Never had any side effects from it apart from a sore arm and don't feel it has impacted on my AF at any time .
Turned up at the surgery for mine, but they wouldn’t give it to me as I had a slight reaction last time - tingling tongue, lips & face, but with no swelling & only lasted 20 mins. They going to call me to tell me whether I shouldn’t bother, or should have it in hospital in case of anaphylaxis. On balance, probably won’t bother to get the jab & risk the flu!
Pat x
LaceyLady in reply to
😳😳 If you have it again could dangerous,yes, anaphylaxis
My dear old mum was a child when the Spanish flu epidemic killed off more people than the first world war. She said ' it was great - we had a party with ham sandwiches and butterfly cakes every week'...
I read somrthing interesting about why the mortality rate was so high for Spanish flu. Apparently the flu coincided with the expansion of the use of Aspirin and this was prescribed in enormous doses. The theory was that it was this that killed people rather than the flu itself.
MOST likely, my old GP once berated me about Larrium drug and saying if aspirin came out now, they’d never licence it!
Was hd trying to persuade you to take Lariam? It is a very dangerous drug and has ruined lives. A bit like fluoroquinolones to which it is distantly related.
A friend had found research on it in her library. I was worried because it can cause mental illness. Oh and guess what, no difference in dose for our kids of 11 & 13😡 We took half dose in morning and half in evening. I felt funny and so did son 11yr old. HATE it
I always have it as someone else said might not be perfect but better than nothing. Also a bout of flu without it is unthinkable for me
The older you are the less likely you are to get any protection as older people have a poorer immune response. It does not protect you from non flu respiratory infections -some of which can be as incapacitating as flu - and some years the strains put in are so way out from the circulating strains that it is largely ineffective even for those who can mount a proper immune response. This was the case in the winter of 2011/2012. By Feb 2012 you were actually more likeky to get flu if you had been vaccinated! I think it is better to boost the immune system by achieving a high level of vitamin d and taking NAC -N Acetyl cysteine.
I have echinacea and elderflower tincture.
just had it for this year. Never had any side effects and i do know when I had a bad chest/flu infection a few years ago that it was less severe due to the injection. I think it advisable if you have af.
I’m having mine on Saturday . I always have it and have not suffered any problems
I say yes to flu jab.
I was very late with it last year (my fault) and I caught flu and ended up in hospital all over Christmas with my afib.
I was told that it takes about 6 weeks before it becomes fully effective (don’t know if this is correct) and that there is a different jab for over 65’s.
Personally I always take it, have done so from 2002. I hesitate to say it but all the rest of the family go down with colds etc and I have, so far, escaped with only minor sniffles. Touching wood etc like mad now!
I used to get 5 colds per year, but I started flu shots 4 years ago and have not had a single cold...
😳 You really need to boost your immune system. Flu jabs don’t protect from colds. I rarely get colds. I’m a therapist and if a patient said to me they get 5 colds a year, I’d advise that they boost their immune systems by eating good quality food, drink plenty of water, lots of sleep and maybe consider a good multi vitamin and mineral supplement.
Nothing to do with diet. I used to work in an office with 80 people and that was the source of my 5 annual colds... As I said; I haven't had a single cold for years and that is because, being retired, I don't mix with humans.. Same goes for flu, and I haven't had flu for 50 years and I know the difference. When I hear people say they were off work for 3 days with flu I chuckle, coz flu is going on hands and knees for 2 or 3 weeks... I will probably die with only having had flu once in my lifetime..
My wife works in a university library and they usually see an upturn in colds etc when the students flood back from the holidays. It seems to work for me, avoiding people would be a bit too extreme!
I dont avoid people to avoid colds and flu, it's just that rubbing shoulders with Walmartians and trump supporters and red-eyed doorstep god-nuts, is not to be preferred to my quiet life.... I think flu is much rarer than people think but I am still doing the shot coz flu is crippling, and lasts weeks and you can't walk.... It killed more than the 1st war in 1919... Anyone who is back at work within a week has not had flu...
Everyone makes up their own minds. As for avoiding people there are some that sure should be. No I enjoy meeting some people and they can inspire you.
My saint is a lady who is in constant pain, walks with two sticks for exercise only. It hurts so much she cant go far. Hubbies ill as well. Yet she is a cheery soul who has time for everyone and their problems. She prefers the dogs to the people, but people "are no that bad". Every time I am feeling hard done by I go and speak to her!
Yep we often forget how bad the illness we vaccinate against are! Measles is becoming a problem again etc
However in 1919 flu tore through the healthy group hardest, the army in France suffered a milder form in 1918 and mostly got off lightly. In 1919 it was their family at home that were feeling the brunt of the mutated virus.
By the way the source was America, a flu outbreak in one of the states affected an army camp. They loaded the troops who had no signs of illness onto a packed troop ship. A plague ship reached France to start the ball rolling. Cramped army camps and the movement of troops spread the virus.......
I have always been against the flu shot. I have seen people get it on Friday and have paralysis on Sunday from Guillen Barre. It is a side effect. It causes widespread inflammation in your body. It is measurable by a blood test. For me it is one scary vaccine. They never get the strains correct. It only is about 23 percent effective most years. they will be growing it on monkey kidneys again soon. They used to grow it that way but went to eggs. It’s really a personal decision. I’m not sure where that statistic of 80,000 people died In The US. That is incorrect.
😱
It’s really a personal issue for sure. They rarely get the strains correct.
It should not just be a personal decision. Not only should you get the vaccine to protect yourself, but to protect others who cannot mount an immune response to the vaccine because they are immunosuppressed due to chemotherapy or other disease states. The fact is that you can start to shed flu virus 48 hours before you feel any symptoms. In other words, you are potentially infecting all of those around you before you even know you are ill. Do it to help serve your community and yourself.
Next thing they’ll be forcing us to have it😡 It’s every bodies personal choice and if they need to look at who they’re looking after. I’ve had an aunt damaged with polio through medication. I wouldn’t want anyone putting their own health at risk so I didn’t get flu etc. There a lot of mental illnesses now and not just through stress.
And I have an autistic 57 year old brother who’s been incarcerated in mental hospital all his life through an arrogant consultant.
Flu jab covers many but not all of the flu virus strains and lasts 6 months..... I do it coz its free and I would let them put coal on my head of it was free. I live the life of hermit so my chances of catching flu are few and that rhymes... I haven't had flu since 1968 but it is bad...so I will get the vaccination...
I always get it. Yes, there are still around 200 strains of other viruses out there but the flu (with possible retention of fluid in the lungs and severe congestion) can kill. My team at UPMC stressed that this is necessary.
😳 6 weeks before it works, you could catch flu in that time!
I should have it. Even if they don't get all the strains right it will be more likely to protect you than not and a dose of flu is no joke.
I am a pharmacist from the US (and also an A-Fib sufferer). I can assure you that each and every one of you needs to receive the flu "jab" (that cracks me up - we call it the flu shot) each year. Influenza kills people, hospitalizes tens of thousands each year, and can lay the groundwork, as many have mentioned, to pneumonia or other respiratory illnesses. The only time "mercury", actually thimerosal, is contained in the vaccine is if it is given from a multi-dose vial. Single dose syringes are completely preservative free. If you are 65 or older, you should receive the high dose vaccine. It is engineered to better stimulate the immune system in older people. (maybe you do not have access to this in the UK??). Yes, the vaccine is far from perfect, due to antigenic drift during the season (mutations that the virus undergoes as it replicates), but if you do still get influenza, it will often be a much lighter case (lesser symptoms and shorter duration), and will often prevent other serious illnesses such as pneumonia.
In terms of "letting my immune system take care of it", it often takes weeks to feel well again after a bout of influenza. In fact, young adults and children are at a very high risk of serious effects of the flu, especially if they have contracted H3N2, one of the A serotypes. It can sometimes cause an otherwise healthy young person to mount a disproportionate immune response, which can result in fluid in the lungs and other serious consequences. For older adults, please listen and get vaccinated. Your immune system may not be as great as you think it is.
The drug companies and medical profession need to be totally clear and informative on the pros and cons of medications. Which is not what I find here. I’m on two meds that seriously interact with each other 😳 I’ve had to search the internet for pros and cons!
To help people to trust the medical and drug companies, they have to be totally honest.
Fat chance. The ever ongoing court cases and scandals in Pharma show that the only thing they are interested in is making money and they don't care who they kill and poison as long as the money keeps rolling in.
I always have it
I am not having the flu jab this year. I am 67 and have PAF and have had for 17 years, Agreed two years ago to have the flu jab (first time ever) and within a couple of days had a PAF episode, the first for months. GP said it had nothing to do with the jab, however saw a cardiologist a week later (privately) heart was still out of rhythm and he immediately said it would be the flu jab that caused it. But emphasised that if I took flu that too would cause PAF. Last year again coerced by GP to have the flu jab and resulted again in PAF twice within 10 days, felt really poorly with it too. NHS cardiologist said not to have the flu jab again. However a few months later developed 'flu' like symptoms which caused PAF and was hospitalised and given strong antibiotics intravenously and tablets for a week. So for me the flu jab does not seem to work.
Had the flu once, never forget it, on my knees trying to get to the bathroom, gosh I was so very ill. So no way would I refuse a flu jab, if the population refused all the jabs for flu, measles... then we're back to the dangerous epidemic days. Would anybody refuse Penicillin... I don't think so. I know it's not black amd white but we have to take a chance with the grey area!
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