(no subject)

[fredericks]

[Poll #1089721]

I ask because one of my patients was surprised when I said I never, in fact, have been struck down by influenza. It can't be *that* common, otherwise we'd label it "the common flu" like we toss around "the common cold", no?

ETA - The CDC website on the flu versus cold symptoms.

Comments

[wolfsavard.livejournal.com]

I gotta go with No, because influenza usually means like vomitting and stuff right? I think every time I've gotten seriously sick it's turned out to be either strep or a sinus infection or some horrible combination of the two. Never the flu. Of course this year, when I actually planned on getting a flu shot, but missed it because I was out of work sick, will be the year I get it...

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

*grin* Nah, I hope not. Because if that's the case I'll probably end up with it as well (the CNS on my floor was set to give me the shot, and once I remembered it was IM and saw the needle I sort of freaked and said no).

[bbart.livejournal.com]

I don't get sick very often but I definitely had the flu last year. Almost everyone in my department got it.

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

Sick people should stay *home*. Really, it would make the world a much healthier place.

[xioley.livejournal.com]

I (and maybe a lot of other people) generally think of the flu as a cold + fever (and sometimes, but not always, vomiting). It seems more unspecified than a lot of other sicknesses. I think I've had the flu about 5 times ever.

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

Sweet LORD. I think the flu is more fever, muscle ache, etc. But man, sucks for you. :(

[alicetheowl.livejournal.com]

As long as I get a flu shot, I don't get the flu, and I keep colds to a minimum. But if I forget the flu shot . . . Blah. I've also had pneumonia twice, and I have a cough that makes people think I have TB, from the permanent scarring on my lungs. Whee.

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

Your immune system is, like, constantly going on strike, it seems. That's crazy.

[alicetheowl.livejournal.com]

Growing up in a mildew-infested house will do that to a kid.

[johnraptor.livejournal.com]

When I was a kid, I SUFFERED through the flu. It started with the flu and ended with two weeks in the hospital.

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

Whoa. Not fun. Poor thing.

[blood-of-winter.livejournal.com]

I had it once several years ago at the same time as my husband. We were in bed for three to four days. The cats were happy to have us around on day one but you could see, as the days passed, that they were getting annoyed that we were taking up bed space all day...

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

The only person in my house who's ever had it was my mom. I've never seen someone so miserable outside of a hospital. She was literally secluded in the dark for three days, and my dad would pop in the room to feed her and rub her down because her back and joints were killing her. I never want to get hit with that...which doesn't explain why I ran like a fool from the shot, but oh well.

[sisterred.livejournal.com]

It's not fun when it turns to pneumonia. I'd rather have someone with the shakes do dental work on me.

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

I could only imagine how miserable-making the whole experience would be. :(

[the-kraken.livejournal.com]

I've not only had full-on influenza, but Strep. throat at the same friggin time. I now get flu shots yearly.

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

You just won the immune system lottery, I guess. :) Poor thing.

[sibyline.livejournal.com]

i've never had the flu and i've never gotten a flu shot. must be the third-world antibodies.

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

*grin* Yeah, okay. Let's hope you keep lucking out.

[quenya-tattoo.livejournal.com]

I got the flu once in high school and ended up with pneumonia. Why swimming is a winter sport I have no fucking idea, but it was right at the end of the season and I had to miss the state finals (which my relay was probably going to take :/) cause of it. I was pissed.

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

That seems like the natural progression of things. Damn.
The swimming prolly didn't help things along.

[rustler.livejournal.com]

The real deal genuine flu is *horrible*. Consider yourself very lucky you've never had it!

[fredericks.livejournal.com]

Oh, I do. My mom is the only person in the house who's had it, and she spent three days locked away in her room like she was a friggin' vampire, emerging only to stagger to the bathroom and request someone rub her aching joints and back. Not so much with the fun.