Flu Jab

[Aingeful]

I have never had a flu jab though I have been eligible for a few years. I wasn't convinced they helped and had seen lots of people become ill after them. I hate medication and tend to avoid it if possible. However, with IPF I am under a lot of pressure to have the jab. I did have a chest infection last year and was told off because I didn't have my jab. I have booked one this year but am very stressed about having it. How have your experiences been? I'm the sort of person that if there's a side effect to be had I have it!!!

[moogle]

I've had one the last three years with no problems. Arm a little achey this year but I see that as it working well.

[Aingeful in reply to moogle]

Thanks Moogle. I am probably worrying for nothing!

[Caspiana]

No problems here Aingeful . 😊

[Aingeful in reply to Caspiana]

Thanks Caspian's,going this afternoon.

[Hidden]

Please do get your flu jab! It’s important for you and important for those around you. I had an achy arm and a bit of general body aches but it’s all nothing compared to actually getting the flu!

[Aingeful in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Maindours,you are right,I have had flu and you just want to die don't you!!

[Hidden]

If you hate needles and medications you will detest the IV lines, drugs and general treatment that you will be subject to if you get the flu and end up hospitalised! I have been having the jab since 1979 with no problems. This year an achey shoulder and sore in the injection site for a couple of days and back ache later in the day on which I had it. This is probably because if you are over 65 they have added a component which boosts the immune system’s capacity to fight the viruses included.

I suggest taking a pain killer before you have the jab.

Protect yourself and the population and get it done!

[Aingeful]

Thanks Littlepom,I'm going this afternoon. At least if I have it it gets them off my back for the winter!!

[Hidden in reply to Aingeful]

👍

[Jabb-UK in reply to Aingeful]

Please get back to us, perhaps the day after you’ve had the jab, telling us how you feel.

[Aingeful in reply to Jabb-UK]

Will do.

[stone-UK]

Hi

This year I went to local pharmacy, no appointment required.

Signed the forms, got the jab, went home. Lot better than at surgery.

[Shancock]

Never had an issue with apart from dead arm only lasting a day.

Last year my 15yr old daughter got flu an i didnt catch it so im sure it worked. I woukd get one fir sure, could save your life

[Vibraphone]

Please just have the flu jab, it helps us all if fewer people get flu. It seems ridiculous to me to not have it because of doubts cast by those that distrust everything and everyone. You doubtless take other health measures.

[Aingeful in reply to Vibraphone]

Thanks Vibraphone ,I have done an update.

[joyce74]

I had a reaction to my first ever flu /pneumonia jab, hives all over and was not given one again for over ten years till my new GP gave me one as the strain changes every year. It was such a relief after worrying each because I couldn't have one.

[Aingeful in reply to joyce74]

Thanks Joyce, what a relief?

[Ergendl]

No problems. I do take the precaution of cleaning my left upper arm with surgical spirits before I go for the jab, as around here they don't clean the skin before inserting the needle, which can lead to a bit of a lump on the arm later.

[Aingeful in reply to Ergendl]

Thanks Ergendi I'm not sure of the procedure here. It seems risky not to clean it?

[Sevenstar]

I've been having the flu jab for the last 12 years and touch wood not a single side effect in all those years ! I quite am sensitive to most meds and a very allergic person having asthma eczema and Bronchiectasis, but the flu jab did not affect me , definitely worth it !

[Aingeful in reply to Sevenstar]

Thanks Sevenstart,its my sensitivity to drugs that was worrying me.

[theatrefan]

Hi. I had mine early October and this year no real side effects for me. Unless you count the aching arm from too many downward dogs at yoga!!

[Aingeful]

Downward dog!! Good for you,lol!

[Burbagegran]

Hi there,

I've been having the flu jab for at least 25 years, starting off at work whee my boss paid for the whole office to have it if they wished. No one who had it ever had bad effects or ever got the flu, including me!

You can't get the flu from the flu job, the virus is dead that is injected, it may make you a little off colour for a day or two but isn't this better than getting the real thing which can be horrendous?

I would really encourage you to have it and if you have health issues all the more reason!

Good luck x.

[Aingeful in reply to Burbagegran]

Thanks,I have now had it!

[Whitechinchilla]

It’s a precaution and I have had it for over 10 years now with no ill effects.

Just ensure that you do not have a cold when you get it done.

My nurse explained that folk who say they got the flu after having the jab did so because they had a cold at the time of the jab.

Also tell your nurse if you are allergic to eggs,

Good luck. Better safe than sorry?

[Aingeful]

Thanks I have now had it,crossed fingers for a better winter than last year!

[Hidden]

Having the flu injection can save your life. Not having it might cost you it. Never had the slightest trouble with it, and have had it since it was introduced. A sore arm etc isn't much to put up with to be still here next year. Have it and as my old Gran used to say "and count your blessings"

[Candyred]

8 years I’ve been taking the flu jag for .. bit of a sore arm next day .. I can’t listen or read side effects for ANYTHING, within 5 minutes I’ll have them all!.. think seriously about this .. hugs xx

[Aingeful in reply to Candyred]

Know what you mean about reading side effects! Lol.

[Superzob]

Difficult one this. The flu jab is less effective on the over 65s, yet they are the group (especially those with lung conditions) who would suffer most if they catch it. Personally, I favour having the jab, even though I got flu for the first time aged 66 when I'd actually had the jab! But that didn't stop me last year and this, and I didn't get flu last year.

The problem is that there are about 15 different strains of flu, and a number of variants of each one. The vaccination only provides protection against the 3 (or 4, in the case of a child) most virulent or common; you can still catch the others.

Most people get some reaction to the jab, though it tends to be minor and short-lived. This is because, although the virus has been deactivated, the immune system is attracted to the surface proteins on the virus and uses that information to make the antibodies needed to respond to a real infection. Most people don't realise that it is the immune response which makes you feel ill, not the virus itself, hence the reason the jab has some of the same effect - I got a headache. But from my experience of the real thing, it's no competition - I'd have the jab any day!

[Jabb-UK in reply to Superzob]

A very good explanation.

I started with CLL so my underarm lymph glands were good indicators of my health status since the left one became swollen to the size of an orange after my first flu jab. (Yes, it did put me off for a couple of years.)

[Aingeful in reply to Superzob]

Thanks Superzob.Very good response.

[maggiewhiteley]

Well, looks like I am the exception to the rule here. I had my flu jab just over two weeks ago, after a couple of days developed a severely aching arm in the area of the jab, then a couple of days later this was joined by red patches all down my arm, the palm of my hand, my thumb these were filled with tiny blisters. The nurse came out and said she didn't know what it was, it could be cellulitis, I was running a temperature as well she then said it was an infecton. She prescribed anti biotics and advised co-codamol for the pain. Here we are now coming up to three weeks after the jab the patches are healing but I still have this awful ache. Have to say have had the jab in previous years and been fine. This was the over 65 type.

[maggiewhiteley in reply to maggiewhiteley]

should also have added she prescribed antihistamine, which is used for an allergic reaction not an infection.

[Aingeful in reply to maggiewhiteley]

That sounds awful Maggie! Hope I'm spared that!!

[lKeith]

Aingeful

Hi it seems like you have been the lucky one to have only one session of chest infection is truly amazing. The jab, which I've had each year, is a two minute prick in the upper arm. The side effect can be a stiff upper arm for a few days, maybe a mild dose of flu like symptoms. All of which you can recover from fairly quickly but is not terminal. With your condition you should have it, it's free at the surgery and they may even give you the pnumonia jab at the same time with the same side effects, but you will then be protected.

The older you get the more the immune system breaks down, these injections help at least for prevention of chest infections.

IKeith

[Aingeful in reply to lKeith]

Thanks Keith.The chest infection I got last Christmas was diagnosed as the new strain of flu which also produced complications ie a bad ear infection. Two lots of antibiotics were prescribed for this. The second lot (Metronidazole) made me very ill for weeks and I lost a stone in weight. This is what has persuaded me to try the shot this year.

[Sharp5Flat13 in reply to Aingeful]

And the consensus is...get the jab!

[Aingeful in reply to Sharp5Flat13]

Hi Sharp5Flat13. I did a flu jab update post,I had it done yesterday! Hoping for a better winter !

[CornishBrian]

Ask the receptionist or nurse.....there are NO side effects from the jab. The original jabs were live cultures, IE they gave you a small dose of flu. This year the only ones having a live culture are the infant and junior school aged children but they get it through nasal spray. The only thing I ensure is that when I go for my jab, I haven't got any cold or flu symptoms and I haven't had a cold in the last two weeks.

[Aingeful in reply to CornishBrian]

Thanks Brian. Had it yesterday,keeping my fingers crossed!!

[undine]

HAVE HAD FOR LAST 4 YEARS NO PROBLEMS WITH JAB

[megshafer]

Hi Aingeful, the flu vaccine/shot...saves many lives. I think alot of the "of the bad" reactions are psychological....I had a friend who was just so very sick from the shot....until a Fleetwood Mac ticket became available that same night. She had a great time...that reaction just went away!!! I've had the flu shot for years and have a page of medications I'm allergic too!! I've had a slight headache and a little bit of a sore arm....better than the flu...

Hope I helped you out!

Take good care...

Meg🎄🎄🎄🎄

[Aingeful in reply to megshafer]

Thanks megshafer. I appreciate your reply. My arm is fine at the moment,just feel slightly sick. Doing all my Christmas cards to take my mind of it!!

[Haggis12]

Been getting the flu jab for the past 12 years had no problems with it at all I know people say you shouldn't have it but don't listen it saves lives.

[Aingeful]

Thanks Haggis,its me really that hasn't been convinced about it and avoided it.However, after my bad winter last year I realised that I had to seriously think about it.

[Haggis12 in reply to Aingeful]

I hope you had it done.

[Aingeful in reply to Haggis12]

Yes,I did. Its 12 days ago and fingers crossed no side effects yet ! I look forward to seeing if I have a better winter!

[Haggis12 in reply to Aingeful]

You shouldn't have any side effects now it does take around 12 days to take effect.

[megshafer]

Hi again!! So glad you mentioned Christmas cards, I must do them!! My friend....that was to make you laugh!! She just got immediately better... so funny...she reads something she has it!!

Take good care of you!!!

Meg🎄🎄🎄💕💕

[Aingeful in reply to megshafer]

Lol..I have a lot in common with your friend..!!!

[megshafer in reply to Aingeful]

Many days, I do too...lol as

Meg💕💕

[Hidden]

Hi as I do suffer from asthma. So I do recommend a flu jab as my partner just had a really bad flu and didn't get it but I did not take a flu jab few years ago and did really suffer 😫🤧

[Aingeful in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Scoobie. I am interested to see what sort of difference it makes now I've had it.

[Tilly2402]

I have been having the flu jab for several years and I've always been okay. I missed it one year and ended up in hospital with pneumonia.

[Aingeful in reply to Tilly2402]

Proves its worth having? x

[Betsey69]

Hope your flu jab goes well x I have mine tomorrow. Not had one yet, but have had the pnuemonia jab a few months ago with no problems at all. X

[Aingeful in reply to Betsey69]

Good Luck! x