Really terrified about this flu going around

No online appointment booking near me now

I think seeking some help with your health anxiety will be a good investment. Also monitor your SM use, there's a good chance that the more you look at sites and info, you'll be fed more. Flu is awful, but so is living in fear of it.

You will probably find it’s rhe flu spray causing it! Same thing happens every year. They give mass live flu sprays in schools then bam, everyone ill. Should be banned!

I had the jab, paid for it, but still caught the flu as did DH. Both fairly bad but think it would have been worse if we didn’t have the jab.

Don’t be daft! Just go and get the jab, it’s like £20

I wouldn’t be surprised if many people have had it and haven’t realised it. The two times I have tested positive for it, I had the symptoms of a light cold only. Conversely, there’s something going around right now that floored our whole family with strong flu symptoms, but we tested negative for flu and covid.

So if someone posted about being scared of going in a car, and I told my story of how I nearly died in a car crash, that’s helpful is it? Why?

I wondered whether I was anaemic last week as I was so wiped out, although I eat a good and varied diet. Then the train hit me and I slept 15 of the 24 hours between Saturday and Sunday evenings.

I'm now getting an appetite back and have the energy to read MN so presume I'm recovering.

Don't know whether it's flu but it is not much fun.

I think posters like that really lack emotional intelligence. I mean what is the point of posting that extreme flu story, even if true?

It’s like when people start threads for example that their son is struggling at school and doing badly. Somebody will pop up and mention that their daughter is top of the class. I think why???

Some people are just too stupid to read the room.

I had the jab for the first time this year & paid £19.99 which was a bit of a surprise as I thought it was £15. Booked at a local chemist but many places do walk ins. I was a tiny bit snuffly for a couple of days but that was all. Didn’t even get a sore arm from the needle.

I have seen nothing about flu so far this year. Where are you seeing this? Are you in some kind of health panic algorithm?

If it’s on your socials, I recommend actively taking an afternoon engaging with happy/ useful content. Mine is vintage upcycling, animal videos and accounts like “goodnewsmovement”.

You can so easily end up in a spiral because the algorithm just takes you further and further down the wormhole of whatever you’ve engaged with (health panic, conspiracy, right/left wing extremism etc etc)

So many people here claim they had flu but I bet most were just other viruses. Unless you actually tested, how do you know?

I don’t doubt it! But it was totally unnecessary and alarmist to post it on a thread where OP says she is terrified of catching this flu and also has health anxiety! I despair of these type of posts…

If that's the case, I don't think I'll bother. I've probably got immunity to the older strains of flu.

Most people don't get 'offered' the flu vaccine on the NHS. However, you can pay for the vaccine at pharmacies - I had mine at Asda this year but previously I've had it at Boots. The strain this year is particularly nasty, but a flu jab will decrease the severity of the virus if caught. So, no having the vaccine isn't a waste of time or money. Your son had the nasal spray, so he's as protected as he can be. Most primary schools encourage hand washing after playtime and before they eat (I know the school I work at does). Once home from school encourage him to wash his hands too. Make sure as a family you're having enough sleep, eating well and getting exercise to keep your immune system healthy. Children especially become tired towards the end of term, and that's when the immune system can start to dip, and viruses caught. I'm 51 and have caught flu twice in my life - it's not a given that you or your family will catch the virus.

I wouldn't normally bother, but I'm considering it this year because I'm on immunosuppressant medication.

I very rarely get flu, maybe 4 or 5 times in my life (I'm 70), but I guess the meds make it more likely this year.

So get yourself to boots and pay for it…..it offers around 40 to 60 % protection I think….and even if you do succumb, you will likely end up with a milder version….

Although the NHS would like you to believe this so they aren't "overwhelmed".

It's the truth!

I would add though - I am really grateful to the colleagues who try to keep me safe by working from home if they have any cold /flu symptoms

That's something we can all do to look after vulnerable people

I once went to the doctor as I was feeling tired but sleeping well and blood tests showed I had flu! Felt totally fine except tired, thought I was going to be told I was anaemic

This year's flu jab does not cover the strain of flu that is currently wiping everyone out. OP has already said she knows this, so a zillion people just saying get the jab won't make a jot of difference

Have the jab . It sounds worth it for your peace of mind alone.

Then find ways to distract yourself. Avoid the news. Find something absorbing to do.

I have a condition that means even "just a cold" can land me.in hospital and I have seen the stories about the flu but am far too busy with work and volunteering and hobbies to give it more than a fleeting thought.

Fingers crossed. I checked all the dates and there’s nothing at all near us (London). Good to know that OP can travel too

Is the strain going round covered by this years vaccine? I’ve read it has mutated since summer so might not be now ?