[cyberus]

Last year was the first time in over 20 years I got a flu shot (blackmailed into it by doc) and the FIRST TIME in over 20 years that I got really sick with the flu. This pattern was a bad memory from my military days when I got sick every year when we got the mandatory shots.
This year (given what happened last year and various med records FINALLY getting to my current doc) I won't be getting either type of shot without a better fracking reason than the ones they are giving now.

[Reba55]

Got mine today!

[Vicki NC]

Got both shots this afternoon. We have several in my area of NC, alone, who are ill with H1N1 right now. So I expect there will be an increase in the numbers soon.

[tealas]

I probably wouldn't have gotten the H1N1 vaccine, the only time I ever got a flu shot was when I was pregnant.

However the whole question is moot, because 2 weeks ago my son came down with a very high fever and flu symptoms. Two days later I came down with it. We both ran 102-104' fevers for about 4 days. That was the sickest I can recall being since I was a kid - I've never run a high fever like that for days as an adult. My son was tested via the NC state lab - and it came back positive for H1N1, so I know we both had it. FYI - the normal anti-viral herbs I take for bad colds/flus (Red Marine Algae, Echinacea and/or Isatis root) hardly made a dent in this virus. It felt like a tank - the body aches were very painful for two days. However Echinacea seemed to work the best along with good old chicken soup. I used homeopathic remedies extensively for my son to help with the flu symptoms.

But by being very prudent and sticking with fresh fruit juices, green smoothies and fresh made chicken soup we did get through it without any pneumonia or other complications. Note, I'm a believer that fevers should not be reduced unnecessarily. My son and I only took Tylenol once or twice when really called for. A fever over 101.5' is the way the body prevents the virus from replicating. Despite the 24 fever free CDC advice - I have read articles that you stay infectious for more like 7 days - so neither my son or I returned to school/work, until a solid week after we came down with symptoms. I had no desire to transmit that tank of a virus to anyone else.

I probably would agree that the live virus vaccine is risky, but if the shot is available to you and you have other health risks, I probably would consider getting the vaccine. H1N1 is extremely contagious - it is going to be everywhere. If you don't want to get the vaccine, at least prepare yourself for a potential week long illness and have what you need to take care of yourself if you get it. The first 2-3 days are the worst, so if you can get Tamiflu or you are familiar with anti-viral herbs, have some on hand or have a plan for getting them asap.

My father (age 69) lives with us and has congestive heart disease. We got him Tamiflu within 2 days of my son coming down with H1N1 - so my father fortunately did not get H1N1. Although I'm not sure if it was the Tamiflu or just his age that conferred some immunity.