'Tis the season for dripping noses, whopping coughs and using up those sick days. Flu Season is upon us. It's looming on the horizon like a cumulonimbus cloud. And with Flu Season comes the Flu Shot.
I myself have never had a flu shot in my adult life. Sure I was pinned down and injected when I was a small child but since I've been old enough to make my own decisions I've declined the flu shot every time. Why? I've never had the flu.
I know. Apparently the idea that getting the flu shot gives you the flu is bogus. But I will tell you that neither my father or myself have had flu shots recently and we've never been sick -knock on wood-.
I was checking out Slut's brother's Facebook page and his update was "had a bad reaction to the flu shot." Then I learned yesterday that HLP had to go home on Monday because she had a bad reaction to this seasons flu shot.
I'm seeing a trend that I'm not quite comfortable with. Like boyfriend jeans.
Two years ago I went to the doctor for a Sarcoidosis check up -in remission *woot*- and the lung specialist was telling me how important it is for me to get the flu shot.
"Yeah. I'm good."
"Why don't you want it?"
"I've never had the flu."
"You know that's just an old wives tale. It's not true. You don't get the flu from a flu shot."
"Ok. I'll take my chances. Everyone I know gets sick after."
"But it's not true!" He was starting to get pissed. His stethoscope was all shaky. Maybe he had to meet a flu shot quota for the day? Who knows!
All I know is that currently I know two people who have had really bad reactions to the shot and no matter how badly I may need a day off, I'm not going to risk it. If it's going to happen I'll let it come naturally.
Bring it Flu!