Really terrified about this flu going around

[Caramelbarrel]

I’m in a total panic about the flu. It’s everywhere I look online, people are posting about it left, right and centre. Including locally.

I’m always hugely anxious when my DS gets ill anyway and so if he gets it I know I’ll be a wreck. I have bad health anxiety too.

I don’t know anyone personally who has it, but I know it’s just a matter of time.

I’m so worried I’ll get it before Christmas and it’ll all be ruined for our DS. We’re supposed to be going down and staying with family.

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

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….

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.

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.

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

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…

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 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)

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 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 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.

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 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.

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

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.

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 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.

No online appointment booking near me now

I've had the flu jab for years and never get a reaction. If you do get ill afterwards it means the virus is already in your system and your body uses the jab to fight it.

I always pay for the jab. You can't moan when there's a viable solution!

I've had the jab but I wonder just how effective it is. Really hope it is.

the other thing is that it takes a bit to kick in, so you're not protected straightaway.

You can't catch flu over the internet.
Go to Boots - get the jab - pick up some hand sanitiser...

Everyone and anyone can get the flu jab. 20 odd quid at most pharmacies. Surprised you don’t know this since you have health anxiety about getting the flu. I get it every year without fail.

In fairness to the OP, while 'terrified' is an overreaction, here in Scotland NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde are asking staff and visitors to wear masks on wards and the health secretary is encouraging people to get a private flu vaccination if they can because it looks like it could be a bad season. So being aware and taking reasonable precautions seems sensible. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn9827zqjego

Tbf I’ve been going from bug to bug for the last 7 weeks. Caught the flu, then norovirus, then COVID. has taken a while but am starting to come out of the other side.