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Is the Flu jab effective?

My school offered free flu jabs to all its staff. I'd never had one before, but it seemed a good idea, given all the germs we teachers are exposed to on a daily basis. I should add that I consider my immune system to be good, though I had recently had a bit of a cold virus resulting in a creaky voice. The jab was a week ago: today I am off work with a heavy cold and laryngitis - no voice at all. The symptoms started on Tuesday. Is this as a result of the flu jab? No one else was affected as far as I know, but my husband told me this would happen ( don't you hate it when that happens?) I'd be interested in hearing g of this has happened to anyone else. Sue


Created By on 06/10/2017

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patcaf
13th Nov 2017 14:38:16 (Last activity: 13th Nov 2017 19:36:48)
0
Thanks for voting!
I worked in the NHS in the midlands for a few years. All I can say is that none of the doctors or nurses I worked with ever took up the offer of a flu jab. Their view point was that it was for high risk groups and there was no reason for any one with normal health to get a flu jab.
Response from CaroleAH made on 13th Nov 2017 16:06:58
Those with "normal" health can still catch flu so the reason for NHS staff being encouraged to have the flu jab is so that there are doctors, nurses, admin staff etc available to look after the unfortunate people who catch flu and who are too unwell to stay in their own homes.
Response from jeanmark made on 13th Nov 2017 19:36:48
You have already identified why some health care professionals felt it wasn't necessary for them to have a flu jab. The problem was, they were caring for vulnerable people who needed to be protected not put at risk. People with no health issues are usually not offered the jab unless they too are looking after a vulnerable person, just like health care professionals in direct contact with patients.
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jeanmark
16th Oct 2017 20:20:39 (Last activity: 18th Oct 2017 18:02:44)
1
Thanks for voting!
Having worked in the specialist field of Infectious Diseases I agree with CaroleAH, it is probably a coincidence. Well done for taking advantage.

I have been having these for a number of years, plus I am in a high risk category. I have never had a problem other than a little achy for about 24 hours.

It is worth noting it helps protect against a specific strain of flu, the type that could cause an epidemic. This is why you need one each year, as the predicted strain will probably change. Oxford University are presently looking for volunteers over 60 and meeting their criteria, to trial a new vaccine that it is hoped will reduce the need for yearly vaccinations.

Anyone interested in the flu should read a book called Catching Cold, by Pete Davies. It tells the story of the horrendous outbreak of 1918 which killed more than forty million people world wide.
Response from CaroleAH made on 17th Oct 2017 01:31:14
I believe that the pandemic in 1918-19 killed more people than had been killed in the four years of war - it's a sobering thought.
Response from jeanmark made on 18th Oct 2017 18:02:44
It did, the book is an interesting read and gives good insight into the disease.
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CaroleAH
7th Oct 2017 11:17:22 (Last activity: 11th Oct 2017 15:45:31)
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Thanks for voting!
Hi Sue, hope you are feeling a lot better today! I worked in a GP surgery and we were all encouraged to have the flu jab so I've had one for the last ten years or so - having this year's next week. I think that it is just an unfortunate coincidence that you have got a cold and laryngitis. Occasionally I've had an itchy or sometimes painful arm at the injection site for a few days but the doctors at my surgery said that the difference between a heavy cold and flu is that with flu there's no way you could bend down to pick a bank note from the ground because your head would feel as though it was going to explode with the pain! Having had flu about twice in my life, I tend to agree with them; the headache and high temperature are awful. I think that in these days of international travel and people coughing and sneezing (without using handkerchiefs) on buses and trains etc we need to protect ourselves as much as we can. Hope your husband doesn't catch the dreaded LRMF - Lemsip-resistant Man Flu!!!! 🙂
Response from DavidV3 made on 11th Oct 2017 14:31:07
Nice one Carole. But get it right as us men don't get LRMF. We get WRMF whisky resistance man flu. Tast damn good though. A glass a day keeps the bugs sway
Response from DavidV3 made on 11th Oct 2017 15:45:31
Thanks Lionel. We can recommend this honey drink to all women who think we men like lemsip. Then will stop tormenting us and guy. A good tipple
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