To ask if the flu jab actually does anything?

[itwasnevermine]

Started getting the flu jab last year because my work pays for it, it's kind of expected that we do get it.

I've never had the flu (I'm 25), and spent all of last winter with pretty heavy colds anyway. So does it actually do anything? I don’t know anyone who's had true flu, I'll get it cos it's free but what am I actually getting it for?

You’re getting it to prevent flu - a cold is not flu.

Heavy colds aren't flu so it won't help with them. I get it every year without fail, flu is hideous.

But I've never had flu in the 23 years before I started getting it, I just find it odd because is flu actually that widespread?

Happy to get it but I've just realised that I don’t know anyone who's ever had flu 😭

I'm 55, had it every year since turning 45. The one year I didn't have it was 2018/2019. I had the most awful bout of flu, basically bedridden for a couple of weeks, 6 weeks off work.

I had flu once as a fresher at uni.
i did not have the jab for about 10 years after because i was young, strong, healthy, and poor, but since i had kids i have it religiously because i couldn’t look after them with flu. I’ll never forget how ill i was. It was a completely different thing to a heavy cold. If you can have it, the jab is worth it.

The flu jab isn’t necessarily to stop you getting the flu at all, it’s to give your body a head start on fighting it off and saving you from the potential worst effects of it like not ravaging your immune system to the point of causing pneumonia or such like. At least that’s my understanding of it.

You said you had pretty heavy colds last year. What’s not to say it wasn’t the beginning of flu but thankfully you only experienced it as a heavy cold?

I should have added - the fact that you (and I) didn’t get it for 20 odd other years doesn’t raise or lower our chances of getting it tomorrow - it just shows humans generally have a poor understanding of probability and risk.

Also to add that the jab can help those around you by reducing the risk of passing it on.

You and your friends may not have got it because others have got it. Herd immunity helps everyone.

I remember a man who worked with my mum died of flu. He was 50, and otherwise fit and healthy. I always get mine now, and definitely for children!

Fair enough! Totally not bashing it, just realised I don't actually know why I get it, other than work paying for it - I imagine they pay for it because it's cheaper than having a load of staff going off sick

Having the vaccine also helps stop you spreading it to the vulnerable. I get exposed to
it because I work in a uni (goes around like wildfire in freshers) and also have a young child. DD also vets the vaccine. Both of us are unlikely to get seriously ill with it but we could, so it protects us but also protects others.

Im a kick arse off 50 and have had flu twice in my life. Both times I prayed for death. Think yourself lucky you haven't had to crawl to the toilet OP. Flu can kill you.

I get that you're ignorant but just get the vaccine and thank that there is one

You don't know you haven't had it. The symptoms of colds and flu overlap, while the severity of both varies. You might get a mild case of flu; you might get a cold that knocks you down flat. If you're ill, you don't typically get tested for influenza, but are just left to treat the symptoms regardless of what it is.

Flu can be asymptomatic or like a cold - so you could have had it without knowing. You just don't know how it will be next time, and the jab should help lessen symptoms and prevent you from dieing from it.

It just gives you protection from most likely flu viruses that year.

So if they get match wrong or you get an uncommon flu strain that year you can still get flu that year.

Some flu virus in some people can appear more cold than proper flu but nearly always colds are cause by other viruses - like 200 types of virus can cause colds.

I get it due to having asthma - flu would be worse in me than someone else - our parents get it due to age - again flu carries greater risks. Some industries like medical for example NHS offer it - as what to reduce infections and the work force has high risk of contracting it due to job so offer it but take up levels vary.

At 25 with no underlying condition I don't think matter that much if you get it or not.

To avoid getting so many colds - take vit D supplements - possible magnesium and zinc as well and wash hands more and try and avoid getting run down.

I’m also almost 50 and have had proper flu twice in my life. It was so bloody awful that I now always have a flu jab - I will take any chance the vaccine gives of avoiding flu.

Unfortunately I'm a masters student, studying for other professional exams and working as well, run down is basically who I am 🤣

Yes. When I used to get flu, I always got it very badly. Since I got the flu jab, I get the flu much less, and the one time I suspect got the flu anyway, it was much, much milder, kind of like a mild achey cold. Instead of being bedbound for a week or two, I felt achey and headachey for about 3 or 4 days.

The flu jab doesn't prevent colds at all, they're two totally different viruses. It's like wondering why the covid jab didn't prevent norovirus, they're different illnesses, even if there are some symptoms that are similar.

It's also partly about protecting those more vulnerable people in the population such as babies and older people or those undergoing chemotherapy for example. It can be life threatening, particularly for them.

That in turn relieves some pressure on the nhs over the winter when viruses such as flu are more prevalent.

Good on you for getting it.

Flu is bloody awful. I've had it 4 times in my life.

Trust me, you don't want it.

Many people are shocked when they actually get flu and realise it wasn't like the colds they always had.

Flu makes you want to die.i couldn't look after my pets with it, so I get the jab.

Me and DH started having flu jabs every year 20 years ago. The only year we missed it, we both got flu.
It absolutely works against flu, though of course you'll still get colds. Flu is far worse than the worst cold. Get the jab!

If you are in a uni environment - may well be worth getting or if you work with public.

I had flu in second year of Uni - you have more people coming in with more viruses in population that mixes more so things spread - same with public facing roles if that's applicable.

Having said that DH works in HE and has never had flu - though MIL is one of those people who avoided all childhood illnesses and rarely been ill - solid immune system.

In addition to vit D supplements can also try Sambucol Black Elderberry - supposed to reduce cold symptoms for small of cold viruses and you can get it with added vitamins - I was skeptical when we first tried it but does seem to help.

@SmileyHappyPeopleInTheSun studying remotely but I do get public transport to work - considering masking again because I just can't be bothered with the constant colds

Vaccines are meant to not only protect the person having the vaccination but other people in the community too. The more you help to keep flu at bay, then fewer people are ill, then fewer get admitted to hospital. Older people are more likely to have other health conditions, add a dose of flu to the mix and you’ve got a seriously ill person.