(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...

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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...

[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.

[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.

[sibyline.livejournal.com]

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

[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.

[rustler.livejournal.com]

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