[SkinnyPupp]

http://i.imgur.com/vhvKd.png

Google Flu Trends | Canada (http://www.google.org/flutrends/ca/#CA-BC)

Google has a pretty neat app that aggregates searches to determine how bad flu seasons are around the world, and this year looks like a bad one for BC!

Take precautions

[murd0c]

I wouldnt know, Didn't take a single sick day at work at all last year and so far this year I have been 100

[DavidNguyen]

I'd say its pretty bad. Just recovering from a flu.
I missed a week of work last week. Hurts the company and hurts my pocket book
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[StylinRed]

yep cases of people affected by the flu have been far above average already; it's really bad in the states as well

not to mention this seasons strain will be particularly hard on the elderly and people weaker in health

so doctors are asking anyone that's sick to stay at home and take a sick leave

[LC21]

I swear to god, the entire city was sick last week.

[Mr.HappySilp]

I was really sick on Thrus night had to take a day off on Friday. I was basically coughing and feel like puking the whole night.
I sleep pretty much the whole Friday. Now I fee way better.

[Traum]

Makes me wonder though -- of those that got sick, how many of them took the flu shot? And how many had the opportunity to have the flu shot, but turned it down? I remember reading somewhere that the typical take rate of the flu shot is only around 40% of the population.

I must have been taking the flu shot for at least the past 15+ years. During this time, I have never been seriously sick due to the flu. It doesn't mean I didn't get the flu -- I most certainly did in a few years. But whenever I had it, it was always really mild.

[iEatClams]

^ I still have the ability to still take a flu shot, I just have to go to any pharmacy and then book it and pay for it and my employer will reimburse my flu shot,

but is it still worth it? like the the flu season may be already passed? maybe I'll go in on Monday. . .. .

[Traum]

A recent magazine article that I read just last night suggests that the flu season is considered to go from Oct - Apr, with Dec - Feb being considered the worst months. The flu variant we are getting this year (forgot the exact strain) is quite virulent (and hence a lot of people with severe symptoms), but the flu shot this year was a very good match. For the vaccine to come into full effect, however, it'll take around 2 weeks. Still, healthcare professionals are still recommending people to go take the flu shot now if they haven't had it yet.

A really long time ago when I wasn't getting the annual flu shot, there was one year I got hit, and I literally fell so ill that I practically bed-ridden and feeling miserable for a whole week. I'm pretty sure I've been getting the shot ever since then.

[Obsideon]

The flu virus has been pretty intense this year, when I was walking around Shoppers and Safeway, in the pharmacy section there was a ton of people. Everyone was hacking and coughing... kinda scary. I caught a cold just before Christmas too, it wasn't "severe" but it was one of the longest lasting colds I've had in many many years.

[Yodamaster]

Grateful for my immune system, I never suffer from any sort of flu.

[jello24]

Maybe I just have a cough and cold, but this certain cough and cold has been with me since Boxing Day and has yet to leave which is VERY weird to say the least. Usually symptoms disappear after a week, but this one's just doesn't wanna go away, even with the two week holiday rest.

Kinda pissing me off since I'm more easily fatigued while snowboarding than is usual... even worse at that altitude with thinner air...

[MG1]

So, in Asia, a lot of people wear masks. Does it make a difference?

[CRS]

So, in Asia, a lot of people wear masks. Does it make a difference?

Yes it does.

However, the best way for prevention/spreading is to continually wash your hands.

[entrax]

i was wondering whether it was just me noticing that it's been bad this year. glad i'm not alone, been coughing since fall semester finals

[1exotic]

I never get sick, but have been for the last week.

[Harvey Specter]

I've been sick for 2 weeks now; first a normal cold, typical sneezing and stuffy nose which lasted a week followed by a dry and annoying cough and now the last two days I have a stomach bug plus the cough.

[Fcukedd]

Wow I guess it wasn't just a coincidence lol. Over 10 of my friends caught the flu these past few weeks. Stayed in bed for NYE and the following days

[SoNaRWaVe]

Could be because of this:

New norovirus strain found in British Columbia | BC Centre for Disease Control (http://www.bccdc.ca/resourcematerials/newsandalerts/healthalerts/New+norovirus+strain+found+in+British+Columbia.htm )

[Harvey Specter]

Norovirus is a mofo.

[GLOW]

got flu shot at work in nov., gets diff strain of flu in dec

:fuuuuu:

[murd0c]

I don't personally believe in flu shots and have never and will never get one. I rather want my body to fight it off naturally then having some man made modified shit injected into my body.
Posted via RS Mobile

[LP700-4]

Makes me wonder though -- of those that got sick, how many of them took the flu shot? And how many had the opportunity to have the flu shot, but turned it down? I remember reading somewhere that the typical take rate of the flu shot is only around 40% of the population.

I must have been taking the flu shot for at least the past 15+ years. During this time, I have never been seriously sick due to the flu. It doesn't mean I didn't get the flu -- I most certainly did in a few years. But whenever I had it, it was always really mild.
I never get sick but when I do, it's right after my flu shot. Literally the evening I got my flu shot I was starting to become sick ending up being sick for a whole 4 days
Posted via RS Mobile

[murd0c]

I never get sick but when I do, it's right after my flu shot. Literally the evening I got my flu shot I was starting to become sick ending up being sick for a whole 4 days
Posted via RS Mobile

Thats because the Flu shot is the virus being injected into your system so most people get sick after getting it.

[drunkrussian]

Makes me wonder though -- of those that got sick, how many of them took the flu shot? And how many had the opportunity to have the flu shot, but turned it down? I remember reading somewhere that the typical take rate of the flu shot is only around 40% of the population.

I must have been taking the flu shot for at least the past 15+ years. During this time, I have never been seriously sick due to the flu. It doesn't mean I didn't get the flu -- I most certainly did in a few years. But whenever I had it, it was always really mild.

i rejectthe opportunity for a free one eevery year. rather risk geting wick ghan inject shit in my body. only a matter of time before they link flu shots to some crazy shit u pass on to your children
Posted via RS Mobile

[ts14]

i got sick twice last year. Both times i got caught the flu while shopping on boxing day or black friday.

now im rarely going to public places and waiting for the flu to die down kuz i dont wanna get it a third time

[Oleophobic]

I got sick on NYE but it was just a cold and the worst of it lasted only about 2 days and I was at 80% after 2 days.
I do wash my hands often and always use a paper towel to open the bathroom door on my way out though.

[MR_BIGGS]

Thats because the Flu shot is the virus being injected into your system so most people get sick after getting it.

This is simply not true. A lot of people avoid getting flu shots because "the one time they got it, they got sick." A flu shot contains an inactivated vaccine made of killed virus. Because the viruses in this vaccine are killed (inactivated), the shot won't cause you to get the flu, but it will enable your body to develop the antibodies necessary to ward off influenza viruses. That said, I think the flu shot shot has a 60 per cent chance of working. So people who got the flu after getting a flu shot often contribute it to the vaccination.

Personally, I don't get the flu shot. I have OCD so I'm watching my hands so often and just try to do things to ensure my immune system stays strong.

[falcon]

I haven't been sick in years and never get a shot. Maybe if people would eat healthy and wash their hands regularly their immune system would be so shot.

[Graeme S]

Flu vaccines start getting prepared literally months before flu season, so the viruses that are used in order to create the vaccines are those that the doctors believe will show up based on previous experiences and prior viruses that have come in the past and moved forward. There is no single "flu virus", there's a variety of strains. Your body learns to fight each one as you get sick, and so the virus has to mutate in order to spread. Some people will get vaccinated but still get sick because the vaccine was formulated for the wrong virus.

This is also why some people can get the flu several times in a single year despite having antibodies. Different strains.

[twitchyzero]

haven't got a flu shot in 5 years now
immune system's been doing okay...no flu during those years
i work in health care too and is recommended we get shots

[Hondaracer]

I haven't been sick in years and never get a shot. Maybe if people would eat healthy and wash their hands regularly their immune system would be so shot.

or... dont wash your hands :troll:

never had a flu shot since elementary school, -never- use hand sanitizer, and only wash my hands before eating if its convenient and i havent been sick for the past 4 years with anything but maybe a 1-2 day cold

im of the opinion that constantly washing your hands etc only weakens your immune system due to never being exposed to the bacteria, seems to work for me

[MR_BIGGS]

or... dont wash your hands :troll:

never had a flu shot since elementary school, -never- use hand sanitizer, and only wash my hands before eating if its convenient and i havent been sick for the past 4 years with anything but maybe a 1-2 day cold

im of the opinion that constantly washing your hands etc only weakens your immune system due to never being exposed to the bacteria, seems to work for me

:lawl::

[Oleophobic]

Makes me wonder though -- of those that got sick, how many of them took the flu shot? And how many had the opportunity to have the flu shot, but turned it down? I remember reading somewhere that the typical take rate of the flu shot is only around 40% of the population.

I must have been taking the flu shot for at least the past 15+ years. During this time, I have never been seriously sick due to the flu. It doesn't mean I didn't get the flu -- I most certainly did in a few years. But whenever I had it, it was always really mild.

I'm the same as you except I've never taken a flu shot in my life. I've never had a full-on norovirus / stomach flu-like symptom (puking/diarrhea constantly for a whole day or two) and hope I never experience this in my life. Nobody in my family has had it before either so I'm wondering if we just happen to be blessed with fairly robust immune systems. Or maybe we've just been lucky to have never been in the wrong place at the wrong time...

Seriously wtf is one to do if a family member gets it? I've read up on the norovirus and it seems impossible to avoid catching it if you're taking care of an infected family member. Unless you keep your distance and act like a selfish asshole while hoping the family member can take care of him/herself it seems inevitable that the virus will 'run its course' through the entire household. :okay:

[Traum]

Seriously wtf is one to do if a family member gets it? I've read up on the norovirus and it seems impossible to avoid catching it if you're taking care of an infected family member. Unless you keep your distance and act like a selfish asshole while hoping the family member can take care of him/herself it seems inevitable that the virus will 'run its course' through the entire household. :okay:
I don't think there is anything much you can do other than the regular standard precautions -- face mask, wash your hands, try to stay healthy yourself, etc. :badpokerface:

[sam0m0]

Never get sick too. last time I got sick was when I decided to try the flu shot for the first time like 4 years ago. Decided not to get anymore since.

[Meowjin]

getting a flu shot while beign a fat unhealthy fuck probably doesnt help either

[hotjoint]

I get sick once every few years. I have a very good immune system. I was sick during Christmas time, I felt like death.

[Meowjin]

im sick now and i want to die. asked to use vacation time from work this week and im scared to call in sick now

[milkStar]

Do you guys even lift, haven't gotten sick in 3 years.
Posted via RS Mobile

[shawnly1000]

Moment I feel a raspy throat of early symptoms of a cold/flu I drink a lot more warm fluids such as hot honey lemon, gargle with warm salt water, take some zinc, eat more garlic, rest and get 8 hours of sleep

[Jas29]

My brother got the norovirus last year. He was throwing up whenever he drank or ate something and had diarrhea had to go to the hospital after 3 days and was close to kidney failure since his body was running out of water

I got it from him and went to the hospital right away and they gave me a pill and I was better
Posted via RS Mobile

[Gh0stRider]

didnt get flu shot, so far 100%

[Excelsis]

pretty much lol

FLU SHOT - YouTube

[Nocardia]

I have pretty strong pro-vaccine stance so I won't rant out on here but: Everyone on this forum is young and relatively healthy, you shouldn't be severely ill from the flu unless you have other risk factors. Instead, you are all carriers and aid in the spread of the virus. Speaking from first hand experience, once someone brings that virus to their grandparents or elderly parents then gets spread like wildfire. This wildfire in the elderly does in fact lead to death.

So please, don't say "I haven't had the shot in xx years and I have never had the flu", you have no idea how many times you have helped spread it and in xx years you will be that person who some kid infected and it may hasten your death.

Anyways, its the same thing every year for those who are pro and those who are con the vaccine.

[Mr.HappySilp]

got a sore throat this weekend -_- was cuddling with the gf in the car and she didn't have a warm jacket so I give her mine. Start coughing now I am taking lots and lot's of water and taking cough mecidine.

[Harvey Specter]

I have pretty strong pro-vaccine stance so I won't rant out on here but: Everyone on this forum is young and relatively healthy, you shouldn't be severely ill from the flu unless you have other risk factors. Instead, you are all carriers and aid in the spread of the virus. Speaking from first hand experience, once someone brings that virus to their grandparents or elderly parents then gets spread like wildfire. This wildfire in the elderly does in fact lead to death.

So please, don't say "I haven't had the shot in xx years and I have never had the flu", you have no idea how many times you have helped spread it and in xx years you will be that person who some kid infected and it may hasten your death.

Anyways, its the same thing every year for those who are pro and those who are con the vaccine.

Well said.

And we had a great thread on here about the flu vaccine, not sure what happen to the thread and I personally refuse to get the flu vaccination.

[Obsideon]

I don't personally believe in flu shots and have never and will never get one. I rather want my body to fight it off naturally then having some man made modified shit injected into my body.
Posted via RS Mobile

I've always wondered that, is it actually true? I've never taken a flu shot (maybe once in highschool but I forget) but I rarely ever get sick, this last one I had over Christmas was the longest one I've ever had.

My mom insists that I avoid getting flu shots until I'm older (like way older) like when my body can no longer naturally fight it instead being artificially boosted every year.

Edit: I know that both my grandparents got their flu shots already.

[quasi]

It just hit me today I can't stop shaking. I brought my work home I doubt I'll be in the rest of the week.

[punkwax]

I had to get my flu shot as Vancouver Coastal Health is a client of mine and I have to visit hospitals, clinics etc. Its required if you're consistently visiting their sites per my employer. Before this year, I'm not positive I had one except maybe in HS. Sure hope I don't ruin my immune system in the long run, never really thought about it that way..

[EuterVanWasser]

This will be the first in 6 years I've chosen not to get a flu shot. I'm hoping to break the streak, because I've come down with something nasty basically each of those 6 years.

[GLOW]

I've always wondered that, is it actually true? I've never taken a flu shot (maybe once in highschool but I forget) but I rarely ever get sick, this last one I had over Christmas was the longest one I've ever had.

My mom insists that I avoid getting flu shots until I'm older (like way older) like when my body can no longer naturally fight it instead being artificially boosted every year.

Edit: I know that both my grandparents got their flu shots already.

Myth:
Getting an influenza vaccine every year weakens my immune system.

Fact:
The influenza vaccine boosts your immune system to protect against the virus, instead of weakening it.

Influenza (Flu) Immunization: Myths and Facts - HealthLinkBC File #12c (http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthfiles/hfile12c.stm)

[noventa]

can someone explain how washing your hand helps one lower their chances of getting the flu? serious question..

[TheKingdom2000]

The flu is a communicable disease. Transmitted by respiratory droplets.

If you touch an object that has been contaminated by someone who has the flu (ie their snot on the table, they sneeze on a table, etc) then you touch your face or ingest the organism through contaminated food (ie. you touch someone's snot and then eat an apple) you have a higher chance of getting the flu.

When you wash your hands thoroughly, it washes off organisms on your hands. Therefore, less likely of transferring the organisms into your body.
Likewise, if you have the flu chances are your hands have been wiping your nose, sneezing into it etc. By washing your hands you get rid of the organisms so you are less likely to contaminate someone else.

Though, you can still transmit the flu by breathing on someone. But, washing your hands is a good way to prevent the spread of not only the flu, but other communicable ilness, ie. common cold.

edit: It is more appropriate to say virus as the flu is viral and not bacterial, as using the word organism like I did suggests it's a bacterial infection

[Graeme S]

These are the droids you're looking for

Star Wars 'Childhood Immunization' PSA - YouTube

[Girl]

I got a flu shot and yet I have been sick the past 2 months. First a minor cold, then some serious stomach bug, now my entire upper respiratory system is failing me, finally got my voice back after losing it for a week. Don't get sick. It's brutal this year. Brutal.

[StylinRed]

unsure if its been noted but the flu shot, this year, is said to only have a 45% efficacy rate
this was reported on the news the other day or so

[Nocardia]

I don't personally believe in flu shots and have never and will never get one. I rather want my body to fight it off naturally then having some man made modified shit injected into my body.
Posted via RS Mobile
I understand the second part, but how do you not "believe in flu shots"? That they work at all? Or just that the harm outweighs the benefits? Or do you think its like Jesus?



unsure if its been noted but the flu shot, this year, is said to only have a 45% efficacy rate
this was reported on the news the other day or so
I think it has been long reported that the efficacy of flu shots is like 70-90% but in reality I think that number is if they have chosen the correct strain. Therefore an overall estimate of 45% would make sense, like a 50/50 shot of having the right virus. That being said, I haven't heard of this recently especially since the correct strains were chosen but people still are getting sick. If you are immunocompromised, from my understanding, there is no evidence that they are beneficial (feel free to spam me info to contradict), we simply infer they will be beneficial because in healthy population they are. So maybe it does nothing for the most exposed people.