This may sound ignorant but where does one get tested for flu strains? I don't know if my PC does that (never needed so never asked) but even if she does, the availability is limited to office hours on weekdays. Is this an Urgent Care type test? Not sure there could be much worse than the wait at UC when you're already feeling like cr@p and are getting exposed to whatever anyone else is there for.

@deegw You are so right. I remember having the flu in my twenties and felt like I had been run over by a truck!

I have been getting a flu shot every year for the past 30 years.

I can distinctly remember having flu as a child, a teen, and a young adult - not experiences that I want to repeat: when I was a child with it, I was hallucinating with the fever! I have gotten the vaccine very nearly every year since the last time.

In one of the last years that I was working, I had a patient whose 2 family visitors were clearly ill but refused my proffered masks and gloves. The patient tested positive for flu, and I became mildly ill myself (having been in very close contact with him over 2 days) - just sick enough to be highly suspicious that it was flu, but still quite mild - I give credit to the vaccine for that!

The winter after Medicare started paying for flu vaccines, I saw the number of admissions to the hospital for pneumonia decrease drastically - and that decrease persisted in all my years of working as a clinical research coordinator. Purely anecdotal on my part, but I think that some (different) research analysis found the same.

So, yes, I would say please do get the vaccine yearly!

BIL has been very sick with influenza A. Knowing he was anti C-vax I imagine he didn't have the flu shot.

I've never had the flu and never had the shot until after Covid hit. Now both DH and I get the flu shot annually as well as all the other vaccinations. DH had H1N1 when that pandemic was in play years ago. I was surprised to find out another pneumonia jab was recommended after age 65 since I've already had two pneumonia vaccinations (and had pneumonia twice over about 15-20 years). I was told no side effects so I got it right before TG and ended up mildly down and out with a fever slightly over 100 for about 24 hours. I think I've now had every vaccination I'm eligible for.

I currently have what I guess is a cold - very sore throat for several days along with mucus in my throat. No fever, nothing else, two Covid tests were negative. When I get a cold it usually starts in the throat but after about a day I have all the other upper respiratory symptoms. This is weird.

If you've stopped wearing masks, you should wear them again until at least mid-January.

No maybe about it! I get covid boosters and flu shots as soon as they become available every year, both shots at the same time in one arm. So does my husband. We have had no side effects beyond slightly sore arms. We continue to use masks. 🎶We are believers, too🎶

Already did in October. I've been getting my flu vax for years now and don't regret it at all. I did my COVID and flu shots separately, tho, and I'm glad I did because my sister and husband did both at once and had excessive discomfort.

FWIW, I remember some reporting recently, linking regular flu vaccinations with a lower risk of dementia. It was surmised this may be because it helps reduce inflammation.

P.S. I now see MDLN already shared info about the study...😃

That map sums it up. Stunning reality and reflects what I am experiencing in my family too. Although most likely exposed to the flu recently, DH and I have not gotten it. Both of us have had the flu vaccine.

We both had flu sometime prior to 1986. I know the year because DH was flat in bed and missed his fathers birthday dinner. Pops passed in 1986. It's the only time in his working career that DH missed work due to illness. He's wrenched a knee a couple of times that's kept him home, but not illness.

The morning he went back to work, I could not raise my head from my pillow. Otherwise healthy and younger, we'd both gotten very sick with headache, fever, coughs, congestion.

We have not missed a flu shot since that year. We've never been visited by flu again. I've got no patience for something like that and he's even worse ;)

We had our annual flu vaccines along with a Covid booster on Sept 30th, heeding the warnings it was beginning to look like a season with early flu. With hospitals overwhelmed with virus cases to the point we've had friends having to postpone elective procedures (like joint replacements, and a friend with Parkinson's being cancelled for a quality of life changing DBS procedure!) - we did not want to add to any backups by becoming ill needlessly.

DH sailed through the injections and I had a few days rash at the injection site. He'd opted for one each arm while I'd had both same arm - if that may have made the difference.

DH and I are all shotted up...shingles, pneumonia, flu, Cvd...and we've not had any of those illnesses ... at least as far as we know.

I'm no dummy!

Mid-July....got my 3rd Covid shot.

Sept 30th....Covid Bivalent booster, & normal Flu shot.

Mid-Oct....Pneum booster?? & Tetanus-booster.

That damn Tetanus shot kinda burned slightly, & hurt for a week! Could feel a small lump for 2 weeks!

With all the microchips in me now....... ;-)

Faron

@DLM2000-GW I think the only reason my son was even tested for flu is because of the pandemic. When he was tested the first time, he was very symptomatic and living in a dorm, he obciously needed to find out if he had covid. I assume it is just routine at his college clinic to test for flu as well, especially since they knew there were already many cases on campus (he was given Tamiflu but ended up throwing up, a known side effect, so he didn't finish taking it).

When he tested positive for flu the second time, normally I wouldn't have taken him to doctor and would have just treated his symptoms at home. Unfortunately tho, he had injured his wrist in a rugby game shortly before coming home for Thanksgiving. I was heading home to pick him up for his orthopedist appt when he called to say he had didn't feel well. Rather than possibly get turned away at the orthopedist (they were taking temps upon arrival), I first took him to our pediatrician. She came back in the room and said, "you've hit the trifecta! you have flu A!" (She knew he had covid and flu B two months previous). She also said he was her first kid/patient to test positive for flu as I guess it really hadn't reared his head here yet, but obviously had been circulating for a couple months on his campus.

I'm guessing most people don't even get tested for flu unless they want a Tamiflu prescription. From those I know who've had it, you are usually too sick to even want to leave bed. Fortunately for my son, his second bout with it was not severe and did not last long.

If the vaccine is available and recommended for my age group I get the vaccine. Shingles, Tetanus, Pneumonia, Covid, Flu . . .

My dad was a pathologist and studied disease for a living.

I ran a mobile pet vaccination service for 25 years.

I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't get vaccinated if there wasn't a compelling reason not to get the vaccine (allergic, recent stem cell transplant or other medically valid reason).

There are risks, but minimal risk compared to the diseases they prevent.

I think I mentioned this sad stat on a different thread - last I heard, around 3k people have already died from the flu this year and many were children. That was last week's news, so I imagine that number has increased now 🙁

I understand it showed up earlier than usual this year - before many people had a chance to get vaccinated, so that may be factored into the severity and spread.

I know I was delayed in getting my shots this year because we had a hurricane show up the week I would normally be doing that.

@ MDLN -

There is a missing piece of information in the study - socioeconomic conditions.

It has been shown that economically disadvantaged people are much more likely to develop Alzheimers than individuals of better socioeconomic status, even at high genetic risk.

It is also well known that the economically disadvantaged are far less likely to get a flu vaccine than those who have higher socioeconomic status.

So there is a built in bias in the study. Both conditions have a link to the same socioeconomic conditions. If they did the study and found a relationship between Alzheimers and Flu vaccines within each socioeconomic level it would indicate that there is a connection, but without that it is kind of like saying people who have high paying jobs have more money than people with low paying jobs.

I’m taking part in an MRNA flu vaccine study; don't know if i got the traditional or mrna type.

Did finally to succumb to covid recently, about 2 weeks after getting the bivalent booster. Almost symptom free, but still a pain in the neck to isolate for the week.

We always get the flu shot.

We always get the flu shot. I am around college students who do not and DH the general public. We’ve had horrible flu outbreaks on campus, a few weeks back one of my colleagues had 6 out of abouit 25 in class.

They’ve had multiple flu and C clinics on campus including just this past week. IDK how goo the uptake was, but I know one student got it.

About 10 years ago I had a horrible flu that was not covered in the annual and I pretty much spent my spring break in my pajamas. I never even got dressed until Friday.

Dee-100% on flu severity

I had flu about 15 years ago, it was the sickest i have ever been in my life, and I had chronic strep throat for years as a kid. It turned into pneumonia and took me months to feel completely healthy again

After that i never missed the annual vaccination which was also easy to get since i worked at a university and they offered it all over campus

Then the year I retired I kept meaning to get a shot…you know the rest. Got the flu in spring 2020 right before COVID hit. Luckily I saw my dr who gave me tamiflu so it wasnt horrible.

But I learmed my lesson, already got my flu shot, 3rd COVOD booster and Shingrix.

I never ever want to get that sick again.

I never had the flu shot until i had a stroke 18 mo ago. i figure i need all the help i can get! I now have all the vaccinates I am edgible for.

FWIW, I HATE being sick - even with a cold. If there was a vaccine for that, I'd take it too.

At 69 I'd be a fool not to get any vaccine that might prevent misery or worse. It's a no-brainer.

Flu shot every year since my youngest was diagnosed with T1D and I learned how dangerous it is for diabetics to get the flu.

I get a flu shot every year. It has never ever made me sick, until last year when I had a rough 24 hours. When I later told my PCP about it, he said it made him sick every year but nevertheless he got a flu shot every year.

Yes to flu and covid and booster as well. I do believe in the vaccines as at least from my point of view a science is clear about it being helpful.

I have had flu and pneumonia and neither was a picnic. With the pneumonia I definitely had a long pneumonia symptom of a cough as was mentioned in another thread I think. I think that it is a good idea plus I really like the idea that there is a secondary protection of Alzheimer's. Although they do say that for Alzheimer's prevention exercise is very important as well.

Yes, I got a flu shot back in October and have been getting them for several years now. I recall having the flu back in the 90’s and I don’t want it again.

I got my flu shot in October. I have gotten a flu shot every year since 1992. In 1991 when I got the flu (and also had a newborn and a 2 year old), I thought I would die and I didn’t care. I was in my twenties! The body aches were unreal. I could not walk, had to crawl to the bathroom. I hope I never experience that again.

I've only had the flu twice and each time it kicked my a$$ so flu shots are a hard yes for me. Before I experienced the flu, I thought people were just whiny about a cold. Nope - not even close. The second time I had the flu, I was out of town for a conference and spent the entire time in bed ordering room service soup plus an urgent care visit. Misery.

We always get the flu shot, high dose seniors, and other vaccines and boosters when available. We had no reaction to the flu shot. Still masking in crowded places, and we’ve been fortunate so far in avoiding Covid, the flu, etc. On the other hand, it now seems one or more of the grandkids are always sick, friends are suffering from infections including RSV, and the hospitals are overflowing especially the children’s hospital which has opened a second ICU and is still overcapacity. Looks like a tough winter ahead.

I have been getting the flu shot for about five years now. This year was the first time that I had a reaction to it. I just felt very strange for a few hours. I thought about calling the pharmacy, but it wasn't getting any worse, so I waited and it went away. I am up to date on C.

DH is not a vaccine believer. He got the first two C vaccines, but only because he had an international trip planned and it was required. He has declined the boosters. This year on the mission trip, he got C. He was sick with flu symptoms for a week, in July, in the tropics. Fortunately, he recovered completely.

My in-laws are 84 and 78, and they refused the C vaccine until this past January. Dad got and ended up in the hospital for five days. He was never in danger, but he was quite sick. He also refuses the flu shot. Says he got it once and it gave him the flu. 🙄 he is in pretty good health, but I expect he will die of something preventable.

I did see something that apparently the flu v is a good match for all the strains going around, so all the more reason to get it. The sooner the better if you have not yet.

I want to know why our children are so sick that they have to be hospitalized. It makes me so sad.

Springroz, RSV is a relatively common childhood illness but it has exploded this year. More kids are getting it which means more kids are getting hospitalized. Covid precautions tamped it down but now infections are catching up with the previously protected children.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/26/health/rsv-immunity-gap/index.html

DH and I are going for our flu shots in a few minutes.

I understand some of the 'science' behind the explosion in RSV - kids have had limited exposure due to C but it's not just kids. I don't know how often adults in years prior to C would get RSV or if what is happening now is normal numbers and we just didn't hear about it before.

I am religious about getting a flu shot every year. I had the flu once and I don't wish to ever, ever, ever have it again. While the flu vaccine doesn't give 100% immunity, I'll take all the protection I can get. FWI, unlike the Covid vaccinations, I have never had an adverse reaction to a flu shot

Yes, here RVS has slowed down, but in weeks past, it was awful, especially for children. I have not heard of many adult cases although the local news warned adults about it. We have a great Children's Hospital in the big city near me and a couple of weeks ago they were just slammed with RSV admissions. Hospital was full, they were needing extra space. The flu has ramped up here but Covid cases have gone down a good bit. Of course, things may explode again with all the holiday gatherings. : (

Yes, I get a flu shot every year. I had the flu 42 years ago and still remember. I have never felt sicker. I am a very strong believer in vaccinations. I have every vaccine available for somone my age, 64. If you look at statistics it is only logical to take a vaccine your doctor recommends. The benefits outweigh the risks.

Just got my flu shot yesterday. This is my 3rd year in a row, prior to the last 3 years I would only get the shot if I happened to be visiting my doctor’s office when she was encouraging flu shots. Now that I am in my 60’s I plan to get it every year. Have only had the flu once when I was in my my early 20’s. It was awful. I was so sick that when someone tried to break into my house while I was sleeping, in the middle of the day, I just yelled at them and went back to sleep. Did not call the police or even think about it, I just went back to sleep. Do not care to go through that again.

Yesterday’s shot gave me a bad headache and I was extremely tired for a few hours after. Never had that from a flu shot before, if it prevents the flu it will be worth it.

Plan to have my Covid vaccine next week, forgot to bring my vaccine card with me or I would have had it done at the same time as the flu shot. Currently I have had the initial set of Covid vaccines and 2 boosters, the last one at the end of May.

Yes to all vacinations! Much as I hate needles, they're preferable to being extremely ill.

Yes, we always get flu shots. I had the flu once in my twenties and don't think I've ever been so sick. I had two under five at the time and was too sick to take care of them.

Yes to flu shots and covid vaccines.

Made a last minute decision to get both the flu shot and latest C booster and our pharmacist (I like him - he's been very helpful in the past with DH's RL) was able to accommodate us. We did C left and flu R at the pharmacist's recommendation. I have 2 tight, tender upper arms but nothing more and slept well enough. DH on the other hand went to bed feeling unwell, a bit feverish and did not sleep well. I think the difference is I have had Moderna all the way from the beginning and he has had Phizer until yesterday. He's feeling slow this morning but likely due to lack of sleep more than anything else.

Glad you got them. I got mine early this year and it was very easy -- one of the least painful/mildest reactions in the years I've gotten them.

I got my flu shot in early October, before our trip to Eastern Europe. 2 days after we came back, I did my daily walk and it was raining. I got flu-like symptoms same evening, and was down for 3 days. And tested positive for Cov. Planning to get my second C booster next week.

I got my flu shot and another C booster in late Oct since I was flying to upstate NY in early Nov. I wore a mask in the terminals - mostly - and when the plane was on the ground. My seatmate on one flight also wore one, not on the other. I didn't get sick.

DH's early-50s age officemate has been down with severe RSV - also Mpls area.

vaccine trivia

First inactivated influenza vaccine developed by Thomas Francis and Jonas Salk at Univ of Michigan w/ support from US Army, licensed for use in 1945.

First vaccine: Lady Mary Wortley Montagu brought smallpox vaccination to Europe in 1721, asking for her daughters to be protected as she observed in Turkey. Dr Edward Jenner created the world's first successful vaccine discovering people infected w/ cowpox were immune to smallpox.

Got a flu shot yesterday. Absolutely no problem except lethargy all day and virtually no appetite. If I’d had a reason to, I’m sure I could have risen above it. Instead, I slept almost all day.

RSV cases have been high here, and Ohio is one of the states with the highest flu incidence right now - and to top that off, there is now a measles outbreak! 56 confirmed cases, with 20 !! of those hospitalized. Up until today, all in unvaccinated children, but the latest report includes 2 who were partially vaccinated (hadn't gotten the second dose).

It's now a couple of weeks past Thanksgiving and the many family/friend gatherings and traveling. COVID hospitalizations are reportedly rising here.