Need pro's and cons on the flu injection.

[neostudded]

Hey bubhubers :wave:

Well it is the time of the year when people get their flu jabs.(march/april).

And I wasnt thinking about getting Julius done at all.But my mum and a family friend are trying to convince me to get me and Julius done.

Last year, Julius got the flu and nearly died...see thread v
http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/showthread.php?t=113617&highlight=lost (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/showthread.php?t=113617&highlight=lost)

Iam worried about him dying now, but iam just as scared of giving him a needle and have a bad gut feeling about both.

Also with me, last year everyone in my house got the flu but me (& believe me, I was extreemly exposed to it!!).

But I also have glandular fever and Iam single and if I get sick from the flu that would put my baby at risk, and it would affect my abilty to care for him.

When Julius had his two and four months needles, he also had a reaction to them, so he hasnt had the 6 month ones.

[MummaBear03]

Many people who have the injection still get sick. The more they try to fight it without actually killing it, the stronger it comes back next time. Like anything else which is why you have to finish the course of antibiotics even when you feel better otherwise it comes back stronger next time. This is why the flu is getting worse every year IMO. We're not getting done, it's common sense for us not medicines :yes:

[aardvark]

It covers what they think will be the prevalent strains of flu for the season.

It won't cover every strain that is doing the rounds.

You can still catch the flu once you have had the shot for the season.

My own personal track record is not great - the years I have had the shot, I have caught the flu, including coming down with a doozy of a case of it on Boxing Day 2006. The years I have not had the shot, I have not caught it.

[veve]

neo - if you are sick .. they wont GIVE you the needle anyway .. as you should'nt have any type of vax is you are unwell ..

if Julius has had previous reactions .. its not really an option to give him more .. if you inform a GP that there have been previous reactions they will recommend you dont go for more. I react to the flu vax .. my arm swells and I get a temp - so my GP said that I should avoid getting it again ..

if you go to the GP to talk about it .. take your mum - that way you wont have to repeat what is said .. and she can hear it straight from the Dr

[the_queen]

It's a much better idea to boost up yours and Julius' immune systems as much as possible. Lots of vitamin C, lots of Zinc, lots of Vitamin B, lots of raw garlic, lots of green veggies and lots of fresh fruit. Drink plenty of water, get some exercise, do not be around people who smoke (even if they're not smoking in your presence - if you can smell that they've been smoking, then it's affecting you. It's called third-hand smoke). J-Man is bigger and stronger this year. Little tiny ones do get knocked around by it, but Julius is older now, you can get some green veggies into him and boost your vitamin intake by a million percent (it'll go through to your milk).

If I was you, instead of seeing a doctor for a flu shot, I'd see a naturopath for advice about boosting your immune systems. :)

[blissfullybonkers]

im not sure what you should do... since he has had it now maybe he has built up an immunity??
i didnt even know that babies could have the influenza needle:confused:
i think the queen made some great points!

[neostudded]

I know someone that when to the GP and they were told healthy diet doesnt help it.

Iam worried about the long term affect of VAXes???

Does it suppress our immunity?
Is that why the FLU is hitting people harder each year?
and why more people now then ever are dying?

Would he have an immunity OR might he get a different strain this year?

Just a few random thoughs..:detective:

last year two perfectly fit healthy 40 and 27 year's old's died from the flu.

[veve]

last year two perfectly fit healthy 40 and 27 year's old's died from the flu.

neo .. in all honestly .. I'm surprised it was only two ..

people die from a HUGE range of unexpected things all the time .. dont let statistics freak you out ..

there are many many more things out there more likely to kill .. than the flu .. you will probably find .. that a) they were men .. b) they were stubborn .. and when the flu got bad they still refused to see a doctor (men aren't bright when it comes to drs) .. and c) it was more than the flu .. it went to their chest etc etc

[SilverStarfish]

neo - if you are sick .. they wont GIVE you the needle anyway .. as you should'nt have any type of vax is you are unwell ..

if Julius has had previous reactions .. its not really an option to give him more .. if you inform a GP that there have been previous reactions they will recommend you dont go for more. I react to the flu vax .. my arm swells and I get a temp - so my GP said that I should avoid getting it again ..

if you go to the GP to talk about it .. take your mum - that way you wont have to repeat what is said .. and she can hear it straight from the Dr

:iagree: I completely agree with Veve's advice.

Neo, honestly, you should talk to your doctor and/or professional healthcare advisor about these issues. I love BH, but like anything on the internet it's NOT always the best place for objective, accurate medical advice - we all love our children passionately and there's naturally NO WAY to be objective about many issues, esp when our own kids have been affected by them.

Talk to your doctor and take your mother with you :yes:

ETA: Veve is right - you've said that you have glandular fever, Ross River fever, Barmah Forest virus and chronic fatigue syndrome at the moment - there's no way any GP will allow you to have a flu shot on top of that.

[neostudded]

Thanks for the help.:)

I dont really trust my GP.He wanted me to stop breastfeeding because it isnt needed.And he wanted me to keep vaxing Julius even though he had a reaction to the whopping cough needle.

He refused that the needle might have caused Julius's cough and said "it never happen's" when I asked if he has seen a baby have a reaction to the shots...But then after giving my son every medicine under the sun, He said "oh...It might be from the whooping cough needle, it does happen to a few babies" and started laughing even though, at that stage I thought id loose my baby as he couldnt breath well.:banghead:

sorry I know thats a bit off topic.:gloomy:

[veve]

I remember you saying that you weren't happy with your GP ..

you simply have to find a new one ..

I have one that I adore .. today I waited 1 1/2 hours to see her .. she is THAT popular .. every day its the same ..

if you dont have a GP you can trust .. you will continue to struggle with your health and your sons ..

find a new doctor

[neostudded]

Thanks, You right.
Ill talk to my mum about it
.You've been a huge help, thanks for you logical thinking veve!!! lol:thumbsup:

[SilverStarfish]

Thanks for the help.:)

I dont really trust my GP.

So find a new one, one that you feel comfortable with.

[neostudded]

lol veve that is SOOOO CUTE!!!! :laughing::thumbsup::valentine:

[my_lot]

im far more worried about pneumococcal... after having a child contract pneumo in august of her 2nd winter.

My boy reacted to the 2 &4 shots and has not had the full 6 month shots, only the pneumococcal.

He didnt get sick or have a reaction to having just that needle and no other.

They told us to vax these (6 month and/or flu) a month apart.

we probably wont be getting the flu vax on bubby but dp is having it as he is in close contact, in confined space, with hundreds of people a week.

[mummysangels]

DH has the flu vac every year - his a truck driver so is advisable.

The Cons - he gets a cold after having the injection

The pros - once clear doesnt have cold or flu until he has injection a year later.

I don't get the Flu vac but find if DH doesnt have cold or flu neither do I :)

[Benji]

I think you need to find a new doctor quick smart. I wouldn't want to sway you either way re flu shot considering your precious boy nearly died of the flu last year - you need to talk to a professional. Good luck finding a doctor. I hope you can find one you trust and that you can stick with (it took me 2 yrs of searching, but it was worth it) :)

[bindiloo]

IMO i wouldnt do it id do what queen said its the best way and your GP sounds like a typcal ignorant textbook old codger.

Plus the fact of flu vaccines is they are simply guessing what the flu for the year MAY be and so they blend abit of this and abit of that and come up with a concoction in a needle and hope it will cover you for whatever flu does the rounds that year.
Its obsurd and most people end up so ill from having a flu injected directly into their bloodstream which travels straight to the brain rather than catching it naturally thru the nose and mouth which gives your body a way better chance at standing up and saying HEY foreign intruder and fighting it off.
Directly injected into the bloodstream surprises the body,shocks it and bypasses all the good antibodies that we were born with that are supposed to fight them off.:ecomcity:

Anyways your boy would most likely have a very strong immune system now because of having that bad flu in the first years of his life so building up your immunes and preparing for winter is the best medicine.

MY LOT- id be very interested to hear how your husband goes after his injection just for curiosity sake. So many older people are developing phnemonia with these shots these days,the numbers are alarming. But i certainly hope he goes fine though.:)

[neostudded]

Thanks everyone, I really lack trust in health professional's...Ive just had alot of bad experiences.

Ive decided that iam not going to do it....*sigh*

Now ill have to cop ALOT of :ecomcity: and :banghead: :shame:...From my dear mother who I love.:laughing:*insert stressed face here*

I really appreicated all the nice replys!! :hugs: