My kids and I always get the flu shot. My 6 year old has asthma and is considered to be at a higher risk for complications if he gets the flu. I'm not willing to gamble with his health. He's had a flu shot every year since he was two and has never got the flu.
Peter - 17 years ago
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herd_immunity
Don't do it for your own benefit, do it for everyone's benefit.
Martin - 17 years ago
Kevin, Unless you fall in to one of the "at risk" groups it's doubtful you will benefit. See http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/aug/21/tamiflu-swine-flu-healthy
david b - 17 years ago
I follow what experts do (as opposed to what they say):
Half of UK family docs refuse swine flu vaccine over testing fears
Why mess with your immune system? I haven't had a flu shot in years, and mine are free! Take vitamins to boost your immunity. Why compromise it a shot? Plus the flu shot is based on last years.
I've never taken flu shots & only had the flu twice & I'm 25 years old, As I've heard from the news & many people they really don't work all that well & you get a mild flu from the shot anyways. Besides If most people around you have taken she shot, Than It's very unlikely you will get the flu from them :-)
HeatherMcc - 17 years ago
Flu shots are based on predictions. It could help, but it also could not help. Up until I got a flu shot I only had a flu once in my life. Then I had it twice in the same year. Then I stopped with the flu shots and I've been great since.
jennie - 17 years ago
Viruses/bacteria have been mutating due to vaccines and antibiotics. They're giving out chickenpox vaccines now, it's ridiculous and unnecessary. I personally think over-treatment to populations not requiring treatment at all is leading to stronger, multi-drug resistant organisms.
As a healthy, young, rock climbing male, I'm thinking you don't need it. Save it for the immuno-comprimised :)
Flu Shots are a weakened form of the flu virus suspended in MERCURY! It totally screws with you geneticly, and reaserch shows that it is a probable cause if not at least contributing factor to the increases in Downs Syndrome births. I wouldn't want that to happen to ya Kevin. :-)
Mark B. - 17 years ago
Just make a solid effort to eat good, exercise 2-3 times a week, and get a good amount of sleep and your immune system wont need a flu shot.
@jnrosemas - 17 years ago
Wow, I'm mindblown at the idiocy of comments on here and how inaccurate the statements are that most of you are making. Most of the "don't get a flu shot" respondents' reasoning is something along the lines of "oh...I didn't get a flu shot and I was just fine" or "I got it one year and still got the flu" or "the government puts some scary shit in those vaccines to turn you into a mind-warped robot." You morons sound like Jenny McCarthys who believe that childhood vaccines are the cause of autism and your arguments are either anecdotal or simple fear-mongering.
RYan was one of the few people that had some important things to say. For one thing, if you don't get the flu shot, you're essentially riding on the good nature of those who did. If a certain number of people didn't get a shot, the flu would have the opportunity to spread from susceptible person to person with greater rapidity because there would be a greater number of "gaps" due to a larger number of unprotected individuals. Just as some children could get by without having their childhood vaccines, if a large enough number of parents neglected to get them vaccinated, at some point a critical mass would be reached and we could see the resurgence of some viruses that were long ago purged from the population. So, when you don't get yourself vaccinated, you're not only doing yourself a disservice, but you're fucking those around you as well.
Of course the flu vaccine isn't a guarantee that you won't get the flu. The vaccines are designed from predictions about the strains that will be the most common this year. These predictions could be inaccurate and the flu could unexpectedly mutate. At some point, it probably will mutate into another deadly strain. This is an epidemiologist's worst fear, as we've seen times throughout history where the flu knocked out more than half of the world's population.
Kevin, get the flu vaccine and keep drinking the tea. I bought your tea starter kit from Samovar and I love the Ryokucha and Chai!
-John
Chris - 17 years ago
Ryan - Thank you.
Psuedoscience and ignorance are a scary mix.
Kevin, talk to your doctor to find out if a flu shot is right for you. Schmos like us on the internet don't know a damn thing.
antnyc - 17 years ago
Kevin- you need a flu shot. Frequent travel + flu season -flushot= flu. It works and even if you get something, it'll reduce the symptoms & length.
Carrie - 17 years ago
I have to say get the shot. The shot will not prevent the flu but it will make the symptoms not so hard to deal with. Everyone has different reactions to different things. What makes me sick may not bother you at all and vice versa. I agree with the couple of people who said to educate yourself. Actually, it might be fun for you. You use a google search and have Alex use his precious Bing( Stupid Windows/Bing/ all Microsoft products except my Xbox 360.) See who comes up with what. Oh, and I also agree with who ever said planes are germ havens. That is so true. We all call them germ tubes.
Carry hand gel and wash your hands often. We had an S.O.P on hand washing where I used to work. It said to sing Happy Birthday and when you are done your hands are clean. :o)
don't get it unless its free, thats what i always hear from doctors, theres so many different strands of flu, that its useless to pay for something that might not be effective!
RYan - 17 years ago
So much misinformation in this poll.
To anyone who thinks flu shots are bad: read a science text book, follow science blogs, look at the real evidence.
Flu shots are ONLY a good thing.
I won't explain the hundreds of reasons why anyone should get one, but heres somethings to consider:
you don't get the flu shot. You get sick. The old lady living next you stops to say "hI!" to you, you get germs on her. You are sick, and she is sick. Your illness may pass in a week, hers may end her life.
herd immunity...
the (millions of) flu shots are created with an educated guess on which strain of flu will infect the most people. By definition, a lot of people will still get sick even if they get a flu shot. The flu shot doesn't make you sick people...
Don't spread rumors of misinformation if you don't know the facts. It will just harm other people.
Stop with the pseudoscience. Tea or natural remedies will not replace evidence-based-medicine. Tea may help, but it's not medicine.
BTW, I love tea. Everyone should drink it.
Health - 17 years ago
The heavy metal used in the flu vaccine is used to induce an immune response to the actual virii in the shot. Unless you want to go to the Chelation Therapist, avoid a shot that is not even likely to represent the strain you will encounter.
Tamiflu: Welcome to the Matrix - side effects: impaired consciousness, abnormal behavior, and hallucinations http://bit.ly/dyZcT
Kevin - 17 years ago
Wow, I can't believe there are so many flu shot conspiracy theorists out there. Most shots now a days do NOT have live virus in them and cannot get you sick, aside from having an allergic reaction to one of the inert ingredients.
I don't get them every year. Got one last year, didn't get sick from the shot. Kind of hard to gauge how much it helped.
I used to rely on a flu shot to keep my healthy through the winter, but then I found out was was in them. I don't care what the benefits are, I'm not voluntarily putting that chemical cocktail into my blood. Eat well, drink water, get rest and take vitamins. You will not need a shot.
Oh and wash your hands regularly. Keep everyone else's germs away. I carry hand sanitizer with me.
Mike D. - 17 years ago
You're a strapping young lad, so you don't /need/ the vaccine, but you do travel a lot and have a great deal of contact with other people. I'd say, if you're prone to getting the flu (usually get it most years) or are around young children, elderly, or immune-compromised folks you should get it. Otherwise, you probably don't need to worry about it but it wouldn't hurt.
And I do encourage you to do some research yourself as another poster recommended if you have any concerns at all about the efficacy or safety of the vaccine - just make sure you do /actual/ research rather than just reading the sob stories of the ignorant. You /cannot/ get the flu from the flu shot (it's made with killed virus, though the nasal spray variant is a weakened live virus) and the risk factors for anything else in the vaccine approach zero for the general population. Don't be swayed by the fearmongers - go look for real evidence yourself if you're curious. :)
Jeff has huge biceps (ok, not really) - 17 years ago
I am 31. I NEVER had a flu shot and NEVER had the flu in my life! Yippee! Don't get one! Just tell the ladys u got one and also that u donate blood and hope to one day get married.... woopsie, that's love advise too. Just stick with my first suggestion at least! =)
ps
Diggnation rules! I miss u and Alex on the screensavers. U to were cool dudes on that show.
Mark - 17 years ago
Vaccines are loaded with crap, and no, they don't work.
One one hand, have you heard of mercury and heavy metals? And don't even get me started on the swine flu. Don't take it, please.
Look up on the internet who and what's really behind these vaccines, things are not what they seem and they're hidden agendas behind all this.
Don't take my word, go and educate yourself Kevin. The world is not what it seems and vaccines are at the top of the list.
rob frost - 17 years ago
Dude, apparently there are some really bad things in these vaccines that aren't even being included in the tests (the adjuvants) http://tinyurl.com/l4fnnv
And they're trying to make them mandatory!
I would NOT take the vaccine.
(apparently vitamin D3 is a good alternative, maybe research it)
Jen - 17 years ago
The shots are meant for the super young and old. My husband got one last year and never having prior allergic reactions become allergic to that particular strain for that year. He had to go to the hospital, the hospital gave him benadryl, a steroid and said "Don't take the shot again."
Jess - 17 years ago
I don't know. Tea works better for me! Check the info on this site if you're not sure: http://www.novaccine.com/
No need. A healthy immune system is usually enough. Dr. Weil says: "I recommend flu shots for those over 65, as well as anyone with a weakened immune or respiratory system, nursing home residents, and health care workers who have regular contact with patients."
Aletabird - 17 years ago
I say yes, why not arm yourself with some preventive medicine, especially since you "socialize" so much. ;-)
I get one every year just in case the CDC gets it right with their forecast of which three strains will hit this winter. I also plan to get the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available too.
Flu shots are for decrepit old people. More tea, dude.
KemKraft - 17 years ago
Have you not been listening to No Agenda?!
Carmen - 17 years ago
Isn't the flu shot pretty much based on last year's virus? Basically, they inject you with last year's virus and hope this year's is about the same as last years and that your body will interact with the virus to build an "immunity"
I think, if you have had flu shots in the past, (last year and the previous consecutive) it may be good to get one, otherwise, IMHO stay away from it.
jutta - 17 years ago
Warning! These flu shots have some severe side effects. it is a live virus you are getting. The media is making to much of this flew... hundreds of people die every year from many different flues. My brother became retarded and paralized after my father an MD vacinated him . He died. My son has some severe side effects for life. Learn to wash your hands correctly 20 sec. wear a mask in crowds
tom - 17 years ago
Please no stories of "I got flu shot but still got sick!" as a proof it doesn't work.
It reduces your chances of getting the flu, it's not a guarantee you won't get the flu.
If you didn't get the flu shot that year, chances are you still would have gotten sick.
Also, yes, the young and healthy can weather the flu as an inconvenience. But the point is you still increase the chances of passing it on to the young, unhealthy and elderly, who have a high risk of dying form the flu. Getting the flu shot is as much (or moreso) for THEM as it is for YOU.
vardhan - 17 years ago
It'll give your immune system a good workout
It's always been recommended to naturally fight an illness if you can tolerate it for the time.. antibiotics are really for those that can't
Frank - 17 years ago
As much as you travel it would probably be a good idea.
RyanJoseph - 17 years ago
I never in my life got a flu shot and never got the flu either... Sh*t don't work.
jutta - 17 years ago
Warning! These flu shots have some severe side effects. it is a live virus you are getting. The media is making to much of this flew... hundreds of people die every year from many different flues. My brother became retarded and paralized after my father an MD vacinated him . He died. My son has some severe side effects for life.
Christopher - 17 years ago
Like @Jared said, if you are young and healthy. You don't need it. Flu Shot, in my experiance, is more likely to make you sick, than prevent against illness.
Adam - 17 years ago
Evidence Based Medicine says get one. Airplanes are germ incubators.
Anecdotes about the flu shot don't count.
Jared - 17 years ago
You are a young and healthy guy. There is no need for a flu shot.
Marcie - 17 years ago
Ha - almost said more tea but I think that tea plus probiotics will do you the most good. I got a flu shot once in college & got sick as a dog that year. No thanks.
Erik - 17 years ago
This is the first year I got the flu shot and I did not get sick. I have a job where I interact with a lot of people and illness was always a given. This year that was not the case.
My kids and I always get the flu shot. My 6 year old has asthma and is considered to be at a higher risk for complications if he gets the flu. I'm not willing to gamble with his health. He's had a flu shot every year since he was two and has never got the flu.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herd_immunity
Don't do it for your own benefit, do it for everyone's benefit.
Kevin, Unless you fall in to one of the "at risk" groups it's doubtful you will benefit. See http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/aug/21/tamiflu-swine-flu-healthy
I follow what experts do (as opposed to what they say):
Half of UK family docs refuse swine flu vaccine over testing fears
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1208716/Half-GPs-refuse-swine-flu-vaccine-testing-fears.html
Why mess with your immune system? I haven't had a flu shot in years, and mine are free! Take vitamins to boost your immunity. Why compromise it a shot? Plus the flu shot is based on last years.
I've never taken flu shots & only had the flu twice & I'm 25 years old, As I've heard from the news & many people they really don't work all that well & you get a mild flu from the shot anyways. Besides If most people around you have taken she shot, Than It's very unlikely you will get the flu from them :-)
Flu shots are based on predictions. It could help, but it also could not help. Up until I got a flu shot I only had a flu once in my life. Then I had it twice in the same year. Then I stopped with the flu shots and I've been great since.
Viruses/bacteria have been mutating due to vaccines and antibiotics. They're giving out chickenpox vaccines now, it's ridiculous and unnecessary. I personally think over-treatment to populations not requiring treatment at all is leading to stronger, multi-drug resistant organisms.
As a healthy, young, rock climbing male, I'm thinking you don't need it. Save it for the immuno-comprimised :)
I haven't had the flu in 40 years, since getting shots regularly.
Flu Shots are a weakened form of the flu virus suspended in MERCURY! It totally screws with you geneticly, and reaserch shows that it is a probable cause if not at least contributing factor to the increases in Downs Syndrome births. I wouldn't want that to happen to ya Kevin. :-)
Just make a solid effort to eat good, exercise 2-3 times a week, and get a good amount of sleep and your immune system wont need a flu shot.
Wow, I'm mindblown at the idiocy of comments on here and how inaccurate the statements are that most of you are making. Most of the "don't get a flu shot" respondents' reasoning is something along the lines of "oh...I didn't get a flu shot and I was just fine" or "I got it one year and still got the flu" or "the government puts some scary shit in those vaccines to turn you into a mind-warped robot." You morons sound like Jenny McCarthys who believe that childhood vaccines are the cause of autism and your arguments are either anecdotal or simple fear-mongering.
RYan was one of the few people that had some important things to say. For one thing, if you don't get the flu shot, you're essentially riding on the good nature of those who did. If a certain number of people didn't get a shot, the flu would have the opportunity to spread from susceptible person to person with greater rapidity because there would be a greater number of "gaps" due to a larger number of unprotected individuals. Just as some children could get by without having their childhood vaccines, if a large enough number of parents neglected to get them vaccinated, at some point a critical mass would be reached and we could see the resurgence of some viruses that were long ago purged from the population. So, when you don't get yourself vaccinated, you're not only doing yourself a disservice, but you're fucking those around you as well.
Of course the flu vaccine isn't a guarantee that you won't get the flu. The vaccines are designed from predictions about the strains that will be the most common this year. These predictions could be inaccurate and the flu could unexpectedly mutate. At some point, it probably will mutate into another deadly strain. This is an epidemiologist's worst fear, as we've seen times throughout history where the flu knocked out more than half of the world's population.
Kevin, get the flu vaccine and keep drinking the tea. I bought your tea starter kit from Samovar and I love the Ryokucha and Chai!
-John
Ryan - Thank you.
Psuedoscience and ignorance are a scary mix.
Kevin, talk to your doctor to find out if a flu shot is right for you. Schmos like us on the internet don't know a damn thing.
Kevin- you need a flu shot. Frequent travel + flu season -flushot= flu. It works and even if you get something, it'll reduce the symptoms & length.
I have to say get the shot. The shot will not prevent the flu but it will make the symptoms not so hard to deal with. Everyone has different reactions to different things. What makes me sick may not bother you at all and vice versa. I agree with the couple of people who said to educate yourself. Actually, it might be fun for you. You use a google search and have Alex use his precious Bing( Stupid Windows/Bing/ all Microsoft products except my Xbox 360.) See who comes up with what. Oh, and I also agree with who ever said planes are germ havens. That is so true. We all call them germ tubes.
Carry hand gel and wash your hands often. We had an S.O.P on hand washing where I used to work. It said to sing Happy Birthday and when you are done your hands are clean. :o)
don't get it unless its free, thats what i always hear from doctors, theres so many different strands of flu, that its useless to pay for something that might not be effective!
So much misinformation in this poll.
To anyone who thinks flu shots are bad: read a science text book, follow science blogs, look at the real evidence.
Flu shots are ONLY a good thing.
I won't explain the hundreds of reasons why anyone should get one, but heres somethings to consider:
you don't get the flu shot. You get sick. The old lady living next you stops to say "hI!" to you, you get germs on her. You are sick, and she is sick. Your illness may pass in a week, hers may end her life.
herd immunity...
the (millions of) flu shots are created with an educated guess on which strain of flu will infect the most people. By definition, a lot of people will still get sick even if they get a flu shot. The flu shot doesn't make you sick people...
Don't spread rumors of misinformation if you don't know the facts. It will just harm other people.
Stop with the pseudoscience. Tea or natural remedies will not replace evidence-based-medicine. Tea may help, but it's not medicine.
BTW, I love tea. Everyone should drink it.
The heavy metal used in the flu vaccine is used to induce an immune response to the actual virii in the shot. Unless you want to go to the Chelation Therapist, avoid a shot that is not even likely to represent the strain you will encounter.
Tamiflu: Welcome to the Matrix - side effects: impaired consciousness, abnormal behavior, and hallucinations http://bit.ly/dyZcT
Wow, I can't believe there are so many flu shot conspiracy theorists out there. Most shots now a days do NOT have live virus in them and cannot get you sick, aside from having an allergic reaction to one of the inert ingredients.
I don't get them every year. Got one last year, didn't get sick from the shot. Kind of hard to gauge how much it helped.
I used to rely on a flu shot to keep my healthy through the winter, but then I found out was was in them. I don't care what the benefits are, I'm not voluntarily putting that chemical cocktail into my blood. Eat well, drink water, get rest and take vitamins. You will not need a shot.
Oh and wash your hands regularly. Keep everyone else's germs away. I carry hand sanitizer with me.
You're a strapping young lad, so you don't /need/ the vaccine, but you do travel a lot and have a great deal of contact with other people. I'd say, if you're prone to getting the flu (usually get it most years) or are around young children, elderly, or immune-compromised folks you should get it. Otherwise, you probably don't need to worry about it but it wouldn't hurt.
And I do encourage you to do some research yourself as another poster recommended if you have any concerns at all about the efficacy or safety of the vaccine - just make sure you do /actual/ research rather than just reading the sob stories of the ignorant. You /cannot/ get the flu from the flu shot (it's made with killed virus, though the nasal spray variant is a weakened live virus) and the risk factors for anything else in the vaccine approach zero for the general population. Don't be swayed by the fearmongers - go look for real evidence yourself if you're curious. :)
I am 31. I NEVER had a flu shot and NEVER had the flu in my life! Yippee! Don't get one! Just tell the ladys u got one and also that u donate blood and hope to one day get married.... woopsie, that's love advise too. Just stick with my first suggestion at least! =)
ps
Diggnation rules! I miss u and Alex on the screensavers. U to were cool dudes on that show.
Vaccines are loaded with crap, and no, they don't work.
One one hand, have you heard of mercury and heavy metals? And don't even get me started on the swine flu. Don't take it, please.
Look up on the internet who and what's really behind these vaccines, things are not what they seem and they're hidden agendas behind all this.
Don't take my word, go and educate yourself Kevin. The world is not what it seems and vaccines are at the top of the list.
Dude, apparently there are some really bad things in these vaccines that aren't even being included in the tests (the adjuvants) http://tinyurl.com/l4fnnv
And they're trying to make them mandatory!
I would NOT take the vaccine.
(apparently vitamin D3 is a good alternative, maybe research it)
The shots are meant for the super young and old. My husband got one last year and never having prior allergic reactions become allergic to that particular strain for that year. He had to go to the hospital, the hospital gave him benadryl, a steroid and said "Don't take the shot again."
I don't know. Tea works better for me! Check the info on this site if you're not sure: http://www.novaccine.com/
Suck it up bitch
No need. A healthy immune system is usually enough. Dr. Weil says: "I recommend flu shots for those over 65, as well as anyone with a weakened immune or respiratory system, nursing home residents, and health care workers who have regular contact with patients."
I say yes, why not arm yourself with some preventive medicine, especially since you "socialize" so much. ;-)
I get one every year just in case the CDC gets it right with their forecast of which three strains will hit this winter. I also plan to get the H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available too.
Flu shots are for decrepit old people. More tea, dude.
Have you not been listening to No Agenda?!
Isn't the flu shot pretty much based on last year's virus? Basically, they inject you with last year's virus and hope this year's is about the same as last years and that your body will interact with the virus to build an "immunity"
I think, if you have had flu shots in the past, (last year and the previous consecutive) it may be good to get one, otherwise, IMHO stay away from it.
Warning! These flu shots have some severe side effects. it is a live virus you are getting. The media is making to much of this flew... hundreds of people die every year from many different flues. My brother became retarded and paralized after my father an MD vacinated him . He died. My son has some severe side effects for life. Learn to wash your hands correctly 20 sec. wear a mask in crowds
Please no stories of "I got flu shot but still got sick!" as a proof it doesn't work.
It reduces your chances of getting the flu, it's not a guarantee you won't get the flu.
If you didn't get the flu shot that year, chances are you still would have gotten sick.
Also, yes, the young and healthy can weather the flu as an inconvenience. But the point is you still increase the chances of passing it on to the young, unhealthy and elderly, who have a high risk of dying form the flu. Getting the flu shot is as much (or moreso) for THEM as it is for YOU.
It'll give your immune system a good workout
It's always been recommended to naturally fight an illness if you can tolerate it for the time.. antibiotics are really for those that can't
As much as you travel it would probably be a good idea.
I never in my life got a flu shot and never got the flu either... Sh*t don't work.
Warning! These flu shots have some severe side effects. it is a live virus you are getting. The media is making to much of this flew... hundreds of people die every year from many different flues. My brother became retarded and paralized after my father an MD vacinated him . He died. My son has some severe side effects for life.
Like @Jared said, if you are young and healthy. You don't need it. Flu Shot, in my experiance, is more likely to make you sick, than prevent against illness.
Evidence Based Medicine says get one. Airplanes are germ incubators.
Anecdotes about the flu shot don't count.
You are a young and healthy guy. There is no need for a flu shot.
Ha - almost said more tea but I think that tea plus probiotics will do you the most good. I got a flu shot once in college & got sick as a dog that year. No thanks.
This is the first year I got the flu shot and I did not get sick. I have a job where I interact with a lot of people and illness was always a given. This year that was not the case.