Getting the shot?

[3fgburner]

I'm not. In 1976, in AIT, they made us get that year's shot. As it happens, that was a swine variant that year. I have never had the flu in my life. Or, if I have, I couldn't tell it was flu as opposed to a nasty cold. The shot, on the other hand, made me sicker than a dog.  I have never gotten one since. Even in my remaining three active-duty flu

Comments

[stitchwhich]

I admit, I don't get the shots for the same reason you don't - but I also know that a goodly portion of my friends are in the 'danger group' for complications and that the guilt of not doing all one can to avoid illness can be pretty difficult to deal with. So I encourage them to get the shots if they are of that mindset.

(For example, I had a fatal heart defect that should have killed me when I was about 38 - I knew my time was up and was comfortable with going on, but the idea of how that acceptance would affect my children, still minors, forced me to continue pursuing medical aid. As it turned out, medical science had developed a treatment for the condition and while I did, actually, die just prior to the surgery, they were able to bring me back and successfully treat me... that sort of goad to taking care of oneself isn't uncommon in mothers. (I can't say one way or the other about fathers.) )

[hugh_mannity]

Up your vitamin D and C intake as well. Very few of us get enough D in the winter, and it helps to keep the immune system fit and healthy.

[ferriludant]

Agreed, especially the C. I almost never get virus-type illnesses like colds and flu - it's been several years.

I never really pay attention to my D intake - my multi gives me 500 IU of D (125 % of the recommendation), which seems enough.

For C, I do 1000 daily, and bump that up to 2000 when other people are getting sick and I find myself feeling tired.

[hugh_mannity]

The recommendation for D is enough to prevent rickets but not much more. I take 3000 IU of D and 4000mg of C daily. I also drink a *lot* of water -- about 1/2oz per pound of body weight -- daily.

In the 2 months since I started this regimen my fasting blood glucose has dropped about 20 points (less if I'm short on sleep) and my BP has dropped about 10 - 15 points.

I also get as much fresh air as I can -- can't do much about it in the office, but my bedroom window is open year round. Unless it's actually blowing rain or snow into the room, then it's closed for the length of the storm.

[ferriludant]

I drink a lot of water, but you *really* drink a lot. With that much water, no wonder you need so much in the way of water-soluble vitamins.

I'm glad you're getting good results.

[kittylitter1]

After 20 years of compulsory flu vaccine in the Navy, I'm thrilled to be able to skip this one. I refuse to contribute to the panic.

[jaine_parr]

For two years, I worked doing evaluations through the school system. I was in a different school building each day. I was exposed to everything and anything airborne. Kindergarteners don't cover their sneezes. After that, it is difficult for me to catch most airborne pestilence. Whatever it is, my body has seen something pretty close to it and has an appropriate response already built.

[dracphelan]

Well, my wife and I have already had H1N1. So, I'm not that worried.