Do You Get A Flu Shot?

[luvs2eat]

I've never had one. As I was allergic to eggs as a very young child and the vaccine is incubated in eggs... it's always scared me. But, my sister (nonceliac) who was also allergic to eggs gets one, I guess that childhood allergy isn't much of an issue. But... are our autoimmune issues another reason NOT to have one?

I get scared every year when they talk about the flu and that everyone should be vaccinated. Never mind that there will only be enough vaccine for 1/3 of the population for the swine flu.

Do you get one? If not, why not?

[blueeyedmanda]

I get one because I work in a hospital and it is given to us free as employees.

[lizard00]

I got the flu shot when I was pregnant with my first 4 years ago. I also have a very mild egg allergy (the whites). I felt like I had a very mild case of the flu for about 3 hours then it wore off. That's the only time I've ever gotten one. So for me, the reaction wasn't bad.

I don't get one otherwise. I think the decision depends a lot on where you spend the majority of your time, and what sort of exposure you may have; ie, if I worked in a hospital, I'd probably get one, too.

[ranger]

Never had a flu shot, but get the pnumonia shot. That's the killer. Besides, the powers that be have decided anyone over 60 is protected by some virus that went around 60 years ago, so they won't get one! Like I believe that.

[mushroom]

Because of my C.O.P.D. I always get a flu shot, and pneumococcal every five years.

[lovegrov]

After my wife and I both had the flu on Valentine's Day 24 years ago (she was pregnant), I get one every year. However, having celiac disease is not a reason to get one OR not to get one. The pneumonia vaccine is also a good suggestion.

As for the eggs, it seems that childhood egg allergies often fade away but you'd need to make sure before getting the shot. I would NOT just get it and hope for the best, although they do ask you to stay for 15-20 minutes to watch for a reaction.

Do you eat eggs?

richard

[nasalady]

I always get a flu shot...ever since my last bad bout of illness during graduate school (missed two months of school because of pneumonia). Because of my asthma and tendency to get brochitis/pneumonia, I also get the pneumonia shot every 5 years or so.

[YoloGx]

I don't since I am allergic to eggs. The good news however is that unlike in the past before I went off all trace gluten I no longer seem to get ill very easily at all -- unless I get CC--which now happens less and less since I am a lot more careful these days...

[shendler]

I never got the flu shot. In previous years when flu season came around I felt sick all the time that it wouldn't have mattered if it was the flu or being sick from having celiac. I don't plan on getting the flu shot this year.

[darlindeb25]

I never have, and probably never will. My PCP recommends we (he and I)don't even think about it until I am in my late 60's! As a rule, I do not pick up viruses, not unless for some other reason, I am run down...like a few months after I had my hysterectomy, I picked up a virus then.

[Roda]

I have gotten the flu shot almost every year since I started working in healthcare.I work in a hospital and they do not cost me anything. I probably will get the swine flu shot if my employer recommends it. However, I've probably already been exposed. My boys get the flu vaccine every year also.

[SGWhiskers]

I have a mild allergy to eggs. I get the flu shot most years. I don't get sick, but maybe feel a little off for a bit. Nothing like gluten, the flu, or even a migraine. Just a little ehh. My arm is a bit more bruised feeling than other shots I've gotten. With the egg allergy, mass immunizations or pharmacies won't give it to you unless you lie. My doctor's office will give me both the flu and pneumonia shots, but ask me to wait around an extra 20 minutes to make sure there is no reaction.

When I got my Celiac information from the doctor at diagnosis, pneumonia shots were recommended due to the diagnosis. That's when I added the second shot. I've not had them on the same day though.

I did have the flu shot several times before I was diagnosed with the egg allergy, so the doctor's office had reason to feel safe giving me the shot.

[Hummingbird4]

I work in a hospital, and always get a flu shot (free and highly recommended for employees).

[ang1e0251]

When it was free at work, I used to get it. We worked in an enclosed environment with the air recirculating around like an aircraft so the germs would spin round and round. But I haven't had one for years. I don't think I want the swine flu one as the testing on humans is limited.

[larry mac]

Yes, I always get one. As far as I know, I've never had the flu, even before I started getting flu shots.

best regards, lm