People saying they’ve never had flu?

3 times in 44 years. One time I was in hospital as a result. So no I doubt you’ve had flu that often,

Nurse- have worked in theatres and ICU and have small kids and go to busy places on public transport. So plenty of exposure. Have nursed flu patients all night in isolation side rooms with PPe throughout the swine flu epidemic, but I definitely have never caught Flu.

I get the flu jab at work every year. Had Covid about three times but only once badly. My kids have never had flu either think they got my good immunity

I’ve had very nasty colds with symptoms that match the description of flu, but it was only that bad for 2-3 days, so I don’t think it can have been. I’m 40.

My Dad has long talked of Mum's Derbyshire gene (her family is originally from Derbyshire), as she never seems to catch anything. I've never had flu either, so maybe she's passed it on.

I always thought he was inventing it, but...

https://jenjenkinsthree.com/2021/07/13/the-mystery-of-immunity-the-guardian-genes-of-eyams-survivors/

I think people’s body’s react differently when I thought I had flu, temperature, headaches, nausea, couldn’t lift my head off the pillow doctor came and said I had tonsillitis but the only thing I didn’t have was a saw throat and he said it manifests differently for different people.
As an adult I regularly get tonsillitis now ( with a saw throat) and heavy colds but I’ve never had any other sickness.

It’s possible to have flu very mildly, or indeed asymptomatically.
It’s not unusual to get flu, as this thread would have you believe 🤔

I've only had it once, I was in my 30s
I'm in my 50s now
No jab
🤞 not to get it this year

I've had 'proper' flu (flat out ill in bed for days) three times, so that's once every two decades. One of those turned into pneumonia so that was fun.

There have been more times when I've had a really bad cold and a bit of a temperature, and I guess they may have been caused by a flu virus but I've just been feeling a bit under the weather rather than 'off sick' unwell.

I’m nearly 60 and had it once in my teens and I think once as an adult. I’ve got a strong immunity.

I’m nearly 60 and have had it once about 25 years ago.
It was bloody dreadful and I have had a flu vaccination every year since. Don’t know if that’s connected but there’s a good chance it is.
For any anti vaxxers reading this I’m a public health professional so don’t bother trying……

I was knocked for six by covid the first time round, and I've had body aches and extreme fatigue for a couple of days with cold type illnesses, but I don't think I've ever had flu. TBH I don't think I've ever had a raised temperature.

I’ve never had flu. I’m nearly 60.
My DH gets the flu vaccine and he still is incapacitated by flu.

As you seem to get it a lot, I think it would be worth you paying for the vaccination OP.

Also, in general, how is your diet? Do you drink enough? Get enough sleep? Those are all things that can affect your immune system.

I am 60 and have never had flu.

Been jabbed up for the past few years but never before.
Fingers crossed this isn't the year I get it.🤞

My OH had it once, before we met (35yrs+ ago).

My husband is 60 and he’s never had flu I’ve had it once I’m also 60

62, had it once in my 40s. It is nothing like a bad cold, or (at least in my experience of it, it did vary) Covid and actually made me feel about the same as sepsis did.

It turned into a bad chest infection and took me months to shake.

I don't believe I've ever had it. 61.

Around 20% of people get seasonal flu each year.

Mid 40s and had it twice, possibly three times. I have had other horrible viral infections with chills, aches etc. but that's not the same as flu.

I think those arguing over how people know they haven't had the flu are being a bit pedantic here. Of course you can have a mild dose of the flu virus without ever knowing. The op is specifically talking about being very ill with the flu and being surprised others haven't had it to that extent.

I have never had testing for the flu but I consider myself to have only ever had it once as that was the only time I was significantly unwell.

I think if I was the op I'd be looking at ways to boost immunity and paying for the flu jab. It really sucks but she's obviously unlucky when it comes to immunity/her immune system.

I’ve never had the flu either. Bad colds, yes. Flu, no. I don’t believe most people when they say they’ve had flu. Like the people who say they’ve got a migraine when it’s a headache, it’s usually not. Not disputing they feel bad. But it’s most likely not flu (or a migraine).

Never had flu....never had covid that i know of either. Middleaged with kids bringing home all the germs.

I do have an auto immune disease (so thought i'd be more susceptible) and have all the flu jabs.

OK but flu is like covid - some people have no symptoms, some just have it mildly?

I'm 54, think I may have had it once years ago.
Ive had all those symptoms though many times where it will last a week pretty bad then maybe another week or 2 of feeling shite. But put it down to a bad cold/lurgy.

How do you know you had flu? Was it confirmed on a swab each time?