Is The Flu Jab Really Worth Having..?

Had this last 4 years but still get chest infections and heavy persistent colds..

Does anybody else avoid this and come out ok for doing so.. Thanks..

[valm]

Think it is advisable - lessens symptoms I think Val

[gillwigan]

I would not be without it, also worth asking your GP about getting a pneumonia jab as well i had one last year and it last 5 years .

[Potters in reply to gillwigan]

wish this had not been learnt the hard way by having it gillwigan but it has to been lost as experience

[mactherion in reply to gillwigan]

I was told my pneumonia jab should last 20 years by my practice nurse. Anyone enlighten? But I agree with you, gillwigan. The flu jab is essential.

[Hidden]

Thanks...

Maybe I shall continue this year..Can put up with man-flu just the missus who can't haha..

[Hidden]

Phew..! That's good.. always good to have a week on the sofa watching a bit of Jeremy Kyle and homes under the hammer,whilst getting wifey to make lemsips and crumpets

[Hidden]

Man flu and watching Rugby go together better than Jeremy Kyle(whoever he is)

[tanyamarie]

man flu..............................HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Hidden in reply to tanyamarie]

It was actually proven that men really do get flu worse than women and we don't get any sympathy.. Us poor chaps get a raw deal when we are ill.. My missus thinks as am at home all day when I do have dare I say it "man flu" that I should get some small contraption out called a Hoover.. soon cures me better than any medicine Haha...!

[tanyamarie]

My dad refused it this year after last year. His condition has deteriorated since and he was really ill after having it last year and part of him thinks that may have been the cause. Who knows?

However his specialist did say that he had never had it personally and it had not be proven to be effective for IPF sufferers. Who knows?

Each to their own really.

[rattles]

I have severe copd, the one year i did not get the jab i got proper flu. I ended up vented in intensive care for many, many weeks and in hospital for over three months. I honestly don't know to this day how i survived and have never been so ill. Flu is a killer folks, for the sake of a simple jab its really not worth risking. Just my opinion of course.

With regard to the pneumonia jab you need to check you actually have antibodies to pneumonia after the injection to check it has taken. I have this check done via my consultant every year and every year i have needed a different type of pneumonia jab as the first one didn't take for some reason.

[Hidden in reply to rattles]

Think I may be due for another pneumonia jab - how do you get tested for antibodies ? thanks, Julie

[rattles in reply to Hidden]

It is something my consultant does via a a normal poke in the arm blood test but looks specifically for pneumonia antibodies. I am on prophylactic antibiotics so that may well interfere with the jab in the first place but it's a simple question to put to your GP or consultant to asked to be checked for pneumonia antibodies. Best of luck

[Hidden in reply to rattles]

thanks, I will.

[Perce]

After ending up in hospital twice last winter I certainly won't forget to get my flu jab this year.

[Hidden]

Thanks all for your comments..After reading through I shall continue to go for the flu jab as I really want to get through the winter with as good health as I can,as I do have to work and don't get paid if am off ill and I still train be it indoors on the treadmill all keeps the lungs working...

[Hidden]

I agree with the comments scottyboy I always have my flu jab. Someone with a lung condition can become really ill without it. You might still catch it but are less likely to have a severe flu with complications. I have never been offered a pnuemonia jab though - going to ask for one next time though....

[Hidden]

I didn't have it a couple of years ago..got flu and was more poorly than I have ever been - counting myself as lucky I was here to have one last year and will continue yearly again now. Also had a pneumonia jab that lasts for several years.

[Hidden]

Hi. If you have ever had flu proper then you would be first in the queue for the jab! I don't understand why anyone with lung problems would refuse the chance to reduce the severity if you do catch it. Seems to me like playing russian roulette with your health!

[Wiggins]

I've been diabetic for 16 years, at first I never had the flu jab but one year I got terrible flu as mentioned above, by the end of the week I was actually saying to myself "if this goes on another week it'll kill me". It didn't but I've had the Flu vaccination every year since and I haven't had proper flu since though I do get bad cold and occasionally mild flu symptoms. Now I have COPD and Asthma I'll also be going for my pneumonia vaccination.

[Hidden]

The reason i asked the question was i know some people dont go for flu jab because they are allergic to eggs? and i have questioned myself as to "does it really work" sort of thing as i have had proper flu but thinking my diet and lifestyle is in check so could i avoid it and do it the "natural" way...... I have been ill with or without the jab and i question its reliabilty if am honest..Not saying nobody should have it because of what i think but does it really make such a huge impact....If it could keep a chest infection at bay then i be first in the queue am sure..