Am I the only one that is misinformed on the Flu?

coasterqueen wrote: I went to go get my allergy shot today and was talking with the nurse some more about the flu shot.

I must be dense because I thought that the flu was not only upper respiratory sicknesses but the "stomach bug" as well. You know when you are throwing up and the "other" sick as a dog?

They "reeducated" me and told me that the flu is only about upper respiratory sicknesses...nothing at all to do with the stomach "bugs"...that is gastrointestintis (sp?) and there is no shot for that.

The stomach problem was my biggest issue on whether to get Kylie the flu shot or not because she had that problem twice in one month last year and it was AWFUL to say the least.

I almost think I don't want her to get the shot now, especially with the thirmesol (sp?) in it that is unnecessary.

Did anyone else think the flu was what I thought it was?

MommyToAshley replied: I used to think that too, but I remember reading the same thing when I was PG. Everyone just uses the term flu for stomach bug (but appearantly it is misused).

amynicole21 replied: I think that a lot of stuff gets "repackaged" under the flu heading. Fever, body aches, barfing, diarrhea... that's what I thought the flu was. The upper respitory stuff I never associated with it! Hmmmm... more reason for me NOT to get the shot.

MomToMany replied: I always thought it was the worst cold you could get (cough, fever, chills, runny nose, sneezing, etc). I knew it didn't involve the stomach.

Kaitlin'smom replied: hummm I guess I am a bit confused also then.....I also thought it had something to do with the stomach. Then again I guess that does make some sence since I tend to get broncial-ashma over the flu

Boys r us replied: Call me uneducated as well

I think like Amy says..lots of things get termed, "the flu"!

No Flu shots for us!

DansMom replied: I always thought flu was body aches, congestion, respiratory problems. I've noticed that some people refer to the "stomach flu" to mean the other type of illness---I assumed it was a different virus, but still some kind of influenza---so now I know the "flu" part is a misnomer! Last year the flu shot was supposed to cover Influenza A, which is respiratory, but not the form of Influenza A that was currently circulating---which seemed like another good reason not to get the shot last year. This year I haven't heard much about the type of Influenza that is being targeted by the shot and whether it's a better match with what is going around.

My ped offers a flu shot that is Thimerosol free for all kids under some age (2 or 3, I can't remember)---if you decide to go ahead with the shot, you might see if that's a possibility.

Jamison'smama replied: They had a doc on TV this morning discussing the flu shot--said the symptoms were high fever, body aches and respiratory stuff. He discussed the importance of getting the shot if you are pregnant, elderly, if your health is compromised in some way, if you work around kids or medical settings or if your child is between 6-24 months. Jamison got her shot last week when we were at her 2 year visit. She is battling asthma and was hospitalized for this a week ago Saturday (I'll have to discuss that more later). I will get a shot--I won't risk getting the flu and giving it to a newborn or becomming so ill myself that I have to be hospitalized to protect my pregnancy. The doc on TV stated that it is a dead vaccine and will not make people sick, that the people who get sick would have been so anyway and was not caused by the vaccine. THe nasal spray that people get when the flu shots are unavaliable is a live virus and should only be used by the healthy I guess it can make someone ill.

That's about all I know--I will get one again this year.

ediep replied: I thought that until I had the flu a few years ago and it was the worst cold with fever! I was sick as s dog, couldn't get out of bed for 3 days.

My2Beauties replied: I knew it didnt have anything to do with the stomach hurting or feeling sick to your stomach, but I always thought of it as a horrible cold!!! I guess lots of people are misinformed about various types of illnesses. I've heard of the "stomach flu" too though so this makes me wonder

coasterqueen replied:
Brenda,

I am going to get it too if I can just because I am pregnant. Since Kylie is in daycare and highly exposed to kids in school I won't risk getting something that keeps my baby from being safe. I've had enough issues so far with this pg that I'm not taking any other chances, I couldn't live with myself. Also if Dh starts traveling again lots then I need to be sure I'm well at all times as much as possible.

The only place in town that if offering it to pg women at the moment is my allergy office and ONLY because I have been diagnosed with asthma. The shortage is so great there are only doing "more" high risk" and pg is not one of them YET.

I didn't get Kylie the shot because I just started thinking about it so unfortunately she probably won't be able to get it because she's 25 months. SIGH. Oh well I think it would be hard to get the thermasol-free ones with the shortages anyways.

My allergist said the vaccine they give is a dead virus..not a live one. Didn't ask her to explain that one. BUT I had also heard that pg women should get the thermasol-free ones too. My allergist said they couldn't get any of those.

Kirstenmumof3 replied: I didn't really know what the flu shot was for. I've only had it once. But I'm glad you posted this because like you I also thought that it was related to the stomach bug as well. Thanks for posting this!

Jamison'smama replied:
Wow, when I re-read my post I sounded a bit hard--I am certainly not up on all the latest information--it was just what I heard this morning and the rest was just my opinion. I am just paranoid and worried about every little thing while I am pregnant so I will try my hardest to get the shot.

If you want Kylie to get it, her doctor may give it to her since you are pregnant and she is in daycare--sounds like it would certainly could be a risk to a newborn. My doctor did it primarily since I was pregnant but could justify it further because of her asthma.


Good luck--I will try to remember to ask for the thermasol free shot

coasterqueen replied: OH I don't think you sounded hard.

Around here they are ONLY giving shots to those who are at high-risk so even if my doc will give it to me they won't give it to Kylie Because of the shortage our county has a "list" of those who are considered high risk and then the list goes on. So they are doing one set of high risk first and then the next, etc. So I even have to wait. *SIGH*

maestra replied: I think I might get it too, since I am preg and work with children. They are already sick and coughing in my face. I think it is just a matter of time . I will have to ask my ob on Thurs, because I don't know where I can get it.


Speaking of the "stomach flu" I understand that most of that isn't even viral, that it's usually a form of food poisining (most likely E. Coli) that causes all that vomiting and fever. Blech.