OT - Swine Flu

Our company offers free flu vaccines to those that want it and apparently the standard flu vaccine this year also contains the swine flu vaccine. Is this something that your company would do? We arrange for a nurse to visit the office to administer vaccinations, and if they are field based staff they get a voucher to go to a tesco pharmacy to get one. The company we use are called Doctorcall - might be worth a mention as a benefit to your employer - a small outlay for vaccinations = less peeps off sick???

If you are generally fit and healthy I don't think that there is too much to worry about... take your Vit C, antibac handwash and stay away from people with the lurgy!!!

I had swine flu the year before last and it wasn't pretty but I didn't and wouldn't get the vaccine this year.

The OH is asthmatic and should have got it but we didn't realise it at the time. he now currently has tonsillitis, viremia and flu!

Pros and cons really, after all, vaccinations actually contain a dose of the virus in it so you can be unwell for a few days after it anyway. Personally I would just watch your hygiene and carry round one of those small bottles of antiseptic handwash or something and stay away from those who have got it!

I think the media have really over-reacted on the flu outbreak - especially Sky News who love putting the fear of God in everyone. Every single year, people die from flu both old and young. This year will be no different but provided you take care of yourself, eat well, wrap up, stay away from people who have got it, wash your hands and use hand gel regularly, you should be fine. My hubby had swine flu together with pneumonia last year and he was fine. Personally, I refused the flu vaccine. I was offered it due to me having high blood pressure so was considered at risk but I know so many people who have had the jab and it's made them very ill and they wouldn't have it again.

I work in health care and trust me when I say I haven't noticed a difference in the actual number of people ill with or dying from flu. But there is an increase in media hype and therefore general public panic and this is putting pressure on services!

I would personally encourage pregnant women, asthmatics, diabetics, liver and kidney patients etc to get the flu vaccine (which as RF says contains the swine flu vaccine this year) as it is these people who are likely to get very poorly from flu. (which has always been the case so I don't understand this sudden hysteria the media are creating!)

I had swine flu last year. 'twas awful but short lived. What annoys me is people who get a cold and say they have flu! ?

I had Swine Flu in the first outbreak. Media hype has gone crazy over this one, they don't die from the actual flu, they usually die from underlying health issues.

I get offered the Swine Flu jab every year as I have asthma but have refused it as my Dad had it 5yrs ago & contracted Guilian Barre Syndrome shortly after and was left in Intensive Care, paralysed from the neck down. This is very, very rare but can be linked to the Flu Vaccine.

People have been dying from complications of Flu for years but now we have Internet, 24hr News etc it is reported far more ofte. They have to fill those 24hrs somehow!

Exactly WSS!

And how awful about your Dad Sherrie. I've looked after GB patients and it is very frightening, although luckily quite uncommon especially, like you said, when linked to the flu vaccine. It is usually a reaction to a virus but still uncommon. Hopefully he is A-OK now.

X

As suspected i though it was just general hysteria but with my history of anxiety (blow everything out of proportion!! lol) I am making something outta nowt! lol

*runs off to wash hands for the 50th time* ?

Just seen the up to date figures on Sky and they've got it as breaking news... 50 people have died from flu so far. Whilst I have every sympathy with people who have died from it, 50 deaths out of how many millions in this country.....? Not really an epidemic.

I went to the Drs to get mine but they didn't have any in, so I have to wait. An old lady who overheard me asking for it (i'm pregnant, and my midwife told me to make an appointment) started having a go at me, saying I shouldn't have it as i'm young, and that she should be priority. The receptionist then "politely" told her that pregnant women had as much right as the elderly to have them, soon shut her up.

I've read all the info my midwife gave me, and would rather suffer the possible side effects, than full on flu.

Just to reassure you, I had mine about a month ago and had no side effects whatsoever.

My GP offered it me back in October as i'm asthmatic, I declined politely. Occupational health have been sending e-mails out since November pestering staff to get vaccinated (i'm a nurse) but still, i didnt get vaccinated.

Finally last week I took the plunge and had my 1st ever flu jab. I suffered lots of side effects but after a week am starting to feel better. I don't know if i'd get vaccinated next year or not.