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Is The Flu Shot Really Necessary?

divinecaroline.com — Every year, an estimated 5 to 20 percent of the population gets the flu, and for those that do, it’s never a fun ride. Fever, aches, and debilitating fatigue are the norm, at least for the lucky ones. The not so lucky may become part of the approximately 36,000 deaths or 200,000 hospitalizations that also occur.

Who dugg this? Made popular Nov 8, 2008

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  • LeepII, on 11/08/2008, -16/+56Every year I was in the military I was forced to get the flu shot, and every year I was sick as hell afterward. As soon as I got out I stopped getting them, I haven't had the flu in over 8 years now.
  • explnx, on 04/27/2009, -9/+42I got the flu every year until I started taking the shot. There, our anecdotal internet evidence cancels out.
  • inactive, on 11/08/2008, -0/+30@Leepll

    You may have been getting sick because you were in the army, in close quarters with many other people.
  • divinediva, on 11/08/2008, -6/+36The millions of people who are younger and healthier do not really need it
  • a1cd, on 11/08/2008, -3/+24Your all fools...flu shots are being loaded with mind-controlling additives propelling people to spend money on gifts before Christmas!!
  • RadiatedAnt, on 11/08/2008, -0/+21where the hell does one get injected with that type of syringe featured on the thumbnail?
  • pzwhite125, on 11/08/2008, -2/+21I used to get the flu every year until one year when I got the shot. Now I'm a lady.
  • ferndave, on 11/08/2008, -1/+19Is this article spread over three pages really necessary?
  • DigTheDoug, on 11/08/2008, -0/+18Did you ask for the flu-shot or ant anti-flu shot? I've made the mistake before...damn polio.
  • whorunbartertwn, on 11/08/2008, -2/+17It's a dead virus, not a weakened one like they used to use. You're not going to get the flu from it.
  • beachtrader, on 11/08/2008, -0/+14Yeah, those anti-biotics are killers.
  • beachtrader, on 11/08/2008, -1/+15God, that sounds like a lot of work. I'd rather sit on my ass and just get the shot...
  • whorunbartertwn, on 11/08/2008, -2/+14My work arranges for healthcare worker to come and give 'em for free, so I usually get one.

    I sure as hell wouldn't though if they showed up with a needle looking like that ridiculous turkey baster metal tortue device in the picture next to the article.

    That looks like it belongs attached to the floating ball facing Princess Leia.
  • inactive, on 11/08/2008, -0/+11When you're on death row.
  • westinfunk, on 11/08/2008, -1/+12Shrutes have perfect immune systems.
  • whorunbartertwn, on 11/08/2008, -1/+12Drugs are evil? Tell that to the millions living meaningful productive lives with HIV or diabetes.
  • str1fe, on 11/08/2008, -0/+10If it's the *only* year you got the flu then I imagine it really would be the worst.

    Regardless, I've never gotten the flu shot and also never gotten the flu. My whole family (who's still in town) got the shot last year and they were all sick after.
  • jster89, on 11/08/2008, -3/+12Yeah being healthy prevents infection with viruses. Oh wait... no it doesn't.
  • lisaawesome, on 11/08/2008, -2/+11People think I'm weird because I never get the flu shot. But in 22 years I have also never managed to get the flu. I'm pretty sure I have like the Arnold Schwarzenegger of immune systems.
  • inactive, on 11/08/2008, -1/+10Anti-biotics won't really do much for the flu.
  • supermanly, on 11/08/2008, -1/+9Um, they claim they can cure AIDS and cancer. First of all, they'd be greedy bastards if they didn't share this with mankind through a huge humanitarian effort rather than an internet business. Second of all, it's Digg's job to cure AIDS and cancer. This is bogus.

    Google book saying chlorine dioxide intake is no good.

    http://books.google.com/books?id=WZj3khOKMaIC&pg=P ...

  • Andrew7, on 11/08/2008, -0/+8If the risks of the flu shot outweighed the rewards (for people who don't have major risk factors for an adverse reaction like egg allergy), it wouldn't be recommended.
    One of the biggest things that makes people not get the shot is that commercials, doctors and others refer to minor bugs (colds) as "the flu"- this makes people think that the flu is not that bad and not worth paying for a shot to avoid.
    Fact is, however, that bonafide flu will make you sick as hell (worse than most people have ever felt). There is a small chance you could die from it, and a bigger chance that you will pass it to an elderly person or child who will die from it due to their crappier immune system.
    Also, if we should get a major recombinated strain (like the influenza outbreak of 1918) there is actually a good chance that it will be more lethal in young healthy people (the virus would trigger an immune response that would actually kill us- our badass immune systems would be a liability). Of course, whether the vaccine would offer substantial protection against such a radically mutated influenza strain is questionable.
    Disclaimer- I'm a second year med student, so I know just enough to be dangerous...
  • aaronhoffmeyer, on 11/08/2008, -1/+9This is funny.

    Google "flu epidemic 1918"

    50 million people died in one year ... more than the total number of deaths from WWI.

    Anecdotally, I was always healthy and so I didn't get flu shots all during my 20s and 20s. Then I had a bad bout with the flu in the winter of 2003 that turned into pneumonia.

    I had another bad bout with the flu in 2004, and again in 2005.

    I finally got smart and in 2006, 2007 and this year I got flu shots and have not even caught a minor cold.

    The flu kills millions around the world every year. A shot that costs less than $25 can prevent you catching it. It's simple.
  • crashbang, on 11/08/2008, -9/+17I dunno. The Spanish flu epidemic in 1918 killed somewhere between 20-40 million people. Mostly young adults. So being inoculated sounds like a fairly good idea to me.
  • inactive, on 11/08/2008, -0/+8Actually, the 1918 flu was a different strain. The immune systems of the people that got it overreacted to that particular flu. People with strong immune systems, such as adults, died as a result, while the weak survived.
  • 4321234, on 11/08/2008, -0/+7The hypo pic in the article looks like something you'd dope a racehorse with. I've gotten flu shots since 2002 and haven't had the flu since I started. I used to get the frickn flu every frickn year. And I've never experienced -"Fever, aches, and debilitating fatigue are the norm" -not even a little bit. You've got a better chance of being struck by lightning than getting GBS from a flu shot. And though the young and healthy usually survive the flu, your aunt or grandad might not if you spread it to them. I read half the article and just wondered "why the ***** would anybody want to create anti-flu shot spam?".
  • 0260, on 11/08/2008, -2/+9Any reason to believe something under "body and soul" section of the site?
  • robev, on 11/08/2008, -1/+8I never have side effects....if you're allergic stop taking it.
  • atgmac, on 11/08/2008, -0/+7Drug companies, maybe. Drugs are certainly not evil when used correctly.
  • brstilson, on 11/08/2008, -1/+7That's right ladies and gentlemen it's SNAKE OIL! Guaranteed to cure what ails you or your money back! Snake oil brings your body humors into perfect balance, eliminating the possibility of falling ill! So if you're feeling under the weather, be sure to remember to reach for your bottle of Snake Oil, the cure for what ails you!
  • skywiselh, on 11/08/2008, -0/+6GBS occurs in about 1 person per 100.000, which means that there's about 3000 cases in the US in a year.

    About 25.000 people DIE from influenza in the US every year.

    You do the math.
  • greenldr, on 11/08/2008, -3/+9I am a pediatrician, and comments like yours just show your complete and total ignorance. First of all, the flu vaccine is not mysterious at all. It is simply a killed version of the influenza virus. Second, because your body is being exposed to the antigens in the virus, it makes your immune system STRONGER, not more "*****". Third, and most importantly, even though you may be "healthy" and not die from the flu, by not getting vaccinated you are someone who can expose children or older adults to the virus. So when you get a little kid sick with the flu and are responsible for their hospitalization or death, just remember that you were warned...
  • DangQuesadilla, on 11/08/2008, -2/+7Over the past 8 years, I have gotten the flu shot ONE time, and that was the only year I got the flu. And it was the worst flu I had ever had.
  • whorunbartertwn, on 11/08/2008, -1/+6In 1918 medical science was a wee bit behind where it is today, that flu wouldn't have wiped out anywhere near those numbers today anymore than diarrhea (another big killer in the early 20th century) does.
  • Dainjah, on 11/08/2008, -0/+5Miracle Mineral Solution? Right.... looks like snake oil to me. Where are the double blind studies for this wonder drug? I bet this crap works great with your kinoki foot pads.

    I got some magic beans to sell you if you're interested.
  • inactive, on 11/08/2008, -0/+5You guys should see the Anthrax shot for the military = - ).
  • kleptomaniac, on 11/08/2008, -0/+5well done sir.... ma'am.
  • tigertee, on 11/08/2008, -2/+7i may seem old fashion at only 23 years old, but i don't really believe in these flue shots and would rather just tough out a flu if i get it :)
  • jster89, on 11/08/2008, -1/+5Almost all gases of Guillane-Barre are fully reversed anyway.
  • Andrew7, on 11/08/2008, -1/+5There is not even a 1% chance of this happening to you.
    The odds are much lower.
    There is also a chance of you dying from the flu, which is substantially lowered with the vaccine.
  • DangQuesadilla, on 11/08/2008, -0/+4I totally do not understand what you just said.

  • BinaryFragger, on 11/08/2008, -0/+4Yeah, if you ever get cancer or any other serious illness (that even healthy people can get), just let your body take care of it.

    Tool.
  • Ellipsys, on 11/08/2008, -2/+6The vast majority of people don't NEED the flu shot. Decide for yourself if the possible complications are worth it - some people seem to react worse to them than others. If you do choose to get one (or have loved ones in need of them, such as the elderly) - ask around for one with the minimal amount of preservatives possible. Many prepackaged unit dosed flu shots don't contain mercury or aluminum based preservatives, or other toxic materials. There's nothing wrong with the vaccine itself, but many of the preservatives and toxic binders included will create symptoms in sensitive individuals.
  • DigTheDoug, on 11/08/2008, -0/+3If Herbert West is your doctor.
  • jster89, on 11/08/2008, -0/+3There is no immediate and easy remedy to viral pneumonia. Diarrhoea is easy enough to handle with some sugar, salt and water mixtures. Viral pneumonia will require a ventilator and most hospitals don't have that many spare. Also the 1918 flu epidemic mainly killed young healthy people as it induced a cytokine storm or a total immune system over-reaction. No drug is available to treat this. OK people today are healthier but this doesn't mean an H5N1 epidemic won't kill huge numbers of people.
  • inactive, on 11/09/2008, -0/+3Ditto. Last one I had was in the military and that was a bit before many of the people on this thread were born. When other people around me get a horrible flu, I instead get the farts. Awesome, eye watering farts. Pitty they only last a day or so.
  • Vzylexy, on 11/08/2008, -0/+3To my knowledge, I've only had one flu shot and that was when I was 10(I'm 21 now), and I had absolutely no side effects. I'm also one of the lucky few that have yet to get the flu. The worse I've ever been was last year when I battled a case of gastroenteritis, absolutely horrible.
  • alwilson, on 11/08/2008, -8/+11I have a better idea. Instead of getting a flu shot, try exercising, eating right and getting a good night of sleep to boost your immune system. Then during the season avoid touching your face, and if you're out in public touching things like door knobs or buttons make sure to wash your hands a lot! Avoid close contact with people and avoid large groups in closed spaces. If you have kids, then you're SOL because they will bring it home from school. Seriously, if you are healthy, the flu should run it's course in 3 or 4 days. If you're not healthy... then I guess you should go get the shot.
  • Ausome1, on 11/08/2008, -0/+3Get's them 2 more Ad impressions.
  • 4321234, on 11/08/2008, -1/+4I'm crazy 'bouta murcery.
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