Flu Shot... Who Gets 'Em?

Several co-workers have already come down with head colds since school started and I seemed to start catching a sinus infection a couple days ago but nailed it dead using my usual method on my Tips, Tools, Information web sub-page

www.davidsenesac.com/Information/avoid_rhinoviruses.html

Most people who say they have the flu usually just have a nastier rhinovirus head cold. Besides people at work that tend to get sick a lot, I live in a dense urban area where am regularly in contact with large numbers of other people. I strongly dislike having head colds much less influenza and have a history of rarely getting sick because I do whatever it takes to stay healthy.

rebecca >>>"...I'm not sure why people are so down on flu shots..."

For many people the notion of getting a flu shot probably gets a reaction similar to going to the dentist. They are subconsciously affected by young childhood memories standing in line at school and then bawling as soon as the nurses needle moved in their arm's direction.

WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Thus rates very high on their procrastination index. And over years some of those develop canned excuses they blurt out every time someone asks. Same thing as backpackers that almost never jump in cold high country waters and instead speak proudly of enduring grubbiness and stink for days.

Interestingly to the timing of this thread haha, during my lunch break yesterday drove over from my workplace to the nearby KP hospital and got my flu shot. Have done so for many years. In front of me was a mom with maybe 4 and 7 years old sons. The little one got it first without knowing what to expect and let out a short yelp. The older one seeing the reaction of his young brother then took a couple minutes before they were able to stick him and when the needle went in his face looked like a scared kid at the top of a roller coaster then twisted around in his seat in agony a few seconds. But then moments later he noticed he didn't die after all so was all smiles.

 I opted for the super dose and for any of you crybabies (: the needle did sting a wee bit. But the only thing I've been thinking of until seeing this thread is how the nurse taking my health care card she then brought up on a computer was a thirtysomething about my short height with a most lovely face and womanly body.

I got my flu shot about 3 hours ago. My wife is a NICU/ PICU nursing director so they're required to get them. We also compel our au pair to get one as a condition of employment. The Spanish Flu pandemic killed people in both my family and my wife's so it makes two cautious people even more so.

It's a well known, well researched, and well proven fact that smoking weakens the immune system.

For me, it's flu shot or fired. I like my job.

Last year was the first time I've gotten the flu shot in years. It will be my new tradition.