Flu shot?

[DavidJG]

Hi everyone,

I was wandering from an asthmatic POV, do people here get flu-shots, does it make any difference in flu prevention? I heard it makes you worst or I'm just looking into it too hard.

Thanks

David.

[beech]

I had my first proper flu 4 years ago, and I never want to go through that again in my life if I can avoid it. So I have the vaccination since, and have been ok so far 🤞. I also avoid coughing, coldy people - for the same reasons; the sensation of closed airways, not being able to breathe and so on. My living nightmare!

[DavidJG in reply to beech]

Thanks a lot, I will book myself in for a jab, can't go through another flu with asthma again it was too much, thank you.

[emmasue]

I get the flu jab every year and I am usually flu free. This year I got flu but they said it was because the strain mutated. They weren't able to plan for it. That's why this flu season is so bad. As for side effects, I do get a bit sore and under the weather for a couple of days, but it is far better than actual flu! You don't want actual flu. No fun at all! I am still recovering a month later! ☹️

[DavidJG in reply to emmasue]

Thanks for the advice emmasue take care.

[hypercat54]

Hi I always get my flu shot. I have never had flu since but have been told that even if it's a different strain it would still provide some protection in that it probably wouldn't be as bad. x

[Paradigm]

It doesn't protect again every strain, but they select the ones that they think would be most severe. So, you may still get the flu strain you were protected against but less severely or you may get a different, usually milder, flu.

Over all, when you consider that there's very minimal and short lasting side effects - the flu jab is always worth it. The more people who have the flu jab, the less likely any of us are to get those flus.

[Destiny10]

Hi David

I've had the flu Jab twice and find it does help , even with colds and flu ,I usually get a bad cough in winter and so far not had one this year.

And the Flu Jab is Free for Asthmatics , I paid first time as the receptionist in my DR s Surgery wouldn't let me book an appointment. Last yr got it free from the pharmacy.

[DavidJG in reply to Destiny10]

Thanks Destiny, booked in tomorrow for the shot, better late then never.

[Keithr24]

Hi there. It was always described to me that it may not stop me having the flu, but a more a case of reducing the risk factors. I get it every year!

I have had 2 hospital admissions in recent years with asthma... Not related to the flu, the last one in the middle. Of the flu outburst...and managed to avoid the flu, so in shirt I word rather have the discomfort for a few days after the jab than run the risk of ICU again!

Please get it!

[David1206]

Hi David,I used to get the flu jab,but for the past 2yrs stopped getting it no reason but my mam dad and sister got the flu and were hospitalised 3 weeks after having it and i was in and out of hospital seeing them and i was okay just a thought ithink it is up to the individual.

Best Wishes

David H

[Abc64]

Hello as a sufferer of asthma and also a healthcare professional, it is advisable to have the flu vaccination. This can help protect us. They will ask you about allergies etc before you are given it . It is worth while having it.

[Triggerina]

I have only had true full blown flu once. That was About 35 years ago in my mid twenties. A week of my life morphed into one nightmare day ,in my head, and It took me 3/4 weeks to recover. As I have no wish to repeat this experience I have always had the flu jab since. This leaves me with a slightly sore arm for a few days . Some years I have had more minor flu like symptons when I feel as if I am fighting flu off and feel unwell for a few days but have avoided nasty,full blown flu.

I feel it is worth trying not to get it!

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

I never used to bother even after getting flu when I was 14 and really feeling rubbish for a couple of weeks. It didn't seem to affect my asthma too much but it was mild then.

In 2009 though when I was 23 I caught swine flu and it has turned my asthma from so mild I never had an inhaler (bad idea in retrospect) into a stubborn, severe, hard to understand beast. I couldn't have avoided swine flu with the jab (it wasn't ready and back then I wouldn't have qualified), but I am now extremely keen to avoid flu so always get the flu jab and advise other asthmatics to do the same, however mild you think you are. I can end up in hospital with a cold because my lungs get very twitchy around viruses. Flu is not taken seriously enough even though it killed more than 50 million in 1918-1919. I don't ever want to mess with flu or call a cold flu however miserable it may be.

Luckily have somehow avoided this season's flu. I hope I'm not tempting fate here...I did have jab but as others have said it wasn't perfect. Will take some protection over none though.