Flu admissions surge by 70 percent

[thumpe100]

I would advise anyone who hasn't had a jab, PLEASE do so.

I got my jab back in October, as they give it out free as I work in education.

Last weekend after attending a flurry of kids birthday parties, and events I came down with flu. Friday I came home from work and felt wiped out, Sat it started.

All the classic flu symptoms, aches, runny nose and cough, headaches, I called my GP and got a telephone consulation, she explained the vaccine should mean I have a milder version if its flu.

Today is the first day I feel like getting out bed, that I can even read or watch TV, the last 5 days have been a blur, partner has it now and flat out ( no vaccine).

Just to warn people, the strain around at the moment is HORRIBLE, I wouldn't wish it on anyone, and I was vaccinated.

If you're under 65 , or you don't have any underlined health conditions it still horrificly bad, if what I've experienced this week is the " mild version " , due to being jabbed !!!

https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/tidal-wave-of-flu-hits-hospitals-in-england-as-admissions-surge-by-70-per-cent/

That's my bad @bakewellbride my OP is badly worded, it should have simply read main point, that this years strain seems especially bad, that's the point I was trying to make.

I don't think 'everyone' should get it, a healthy 50 year who has no contact with doesn't live with a high risk group or works in a big university or something , doesn't need to get it. They are not high risk, I was just taken aback how aggressive this virus was and my GP did say this strain may be more sucessful against the vaccine than last year.

One thing from this thread is lack of knowledge, my own lack of knowledge how the vaccine works, online I've been reading results from the south who are coming out of their winter vaccines were showing effectivness of only 35% compared to 50% for at risk groups needing hospital treatment.

My message should have read, this years flu is really bad, and if you are at risk, get a vaccine.

I'm immunocompromised but haven’t had the flu jab because I’ve not been well enough.
Since the end of August I’ve had 3 viruses and been pretty poorly.
I was quite disheartened that the jab will finish next week because I’m still coughing my guts up from my latest virus.
Should I risk having the jab anyway?
I won’t be able to deal with flu.

Sorry il rephrase- please insert IN MY OPINION in front of anything that appears as a statement of fact or could be interpreted that way.

Telling people you have got really bad flu despite having the jab doesn’t sell it to me I’m afraid. it is possible that yet again the flu jab doesn’t match the strain that’s going around. I hope you feel better soon.

Thanks for the reminder, I couldn't get my Covid vaccine as no appointments so I'm missing this booster
Booked my flu one for Friday pm, Asda have lots of slots including evenings and weekends

@roundaboutthehillsareshining

And as for the CDC I wouldn't think they're the most respected health org in the world. And the state of the health of average Americans isn't really a good advert for them plus all the stuff over there that's allowed in their food that's banned in other countries.

It might not do but at least there's a chance it could help
I've never had any bad side effects from a flu vaccine and it takes ten mins and is free so for me it's worth it
Well aware I could die from a secondary infection to flu so I try and protect myself

I paid for the flu jab in sept. Had no reaction other than a slightly sore arm.

I had cold symptoms two weeks ago and felt a bit sorry for myself but ok to work (at home). So I think it worked? I’m out and about a lot on tube train etc so if it’s here I’m sure I’d have been exposed.

This is the first time in 10 years that I haven't had a flu jab. I was previously eligible either due to my job or because I had enough involvement with my elderly parents to count as a carer, and I intended to pay for one this winter but hadn't got round to it. I'm just recovering from the first dose of actual flu (influenza A positive on a triple test) that I can remember, so if we're trading anecdotes mine would suggest that the jab is highly effective. My DH, who has had the jab on the NHS because he has a relevant health issue, didn't catch it.

This has some useful information about the flu and why the vaccine is recommended to specific ages and long term conditions.

travelhealthpro.org.uk/factsheet/51/influenza-flu

That wasn't my intention @kiwiane . I still feel crappy, but nothing like the past few days. You could argue the jab enabled a nasty virus to have much quicker recovery? I don't know.

Thanks for your wishes.

I once had proper flu over 20 years ago. I was a fit healthy 43 year old with a 5 and 3 year old DC. I was so ill I couldn't look after the children, couldn't walk from one end of the room to the other. I was completely surprised as, like most people, I used to think that flu was just what we called a bad cold.

I have had the flu jab when I've been eligible, but never been ill from the jab or after the jab.
To my knowledge I've only had flu once in my life in my 20s which was pretty horrible and I was ill for ages (only really ill for a few days but I wasn't back to full strength for a good 2-3 weeks).

If I worked with kids or in a more vulnerable situation, I would get it.

We have just had flu in our household

Husband- no flu jab not eligible completed floored its been 2 weeks and he is still bad.

Child 1 - had Nasal vaccine at school 4 weeks ago. 5 days of 39C temp cough really quite ill in bed for days.

I had the flu jab 12 weeks ago - completely fine dodged it thankfully .

10 week old baby ( so would have got some protection from myself getting vaccinated while pregnant) mild sniffles

My DS14 came down with flu last week. I've never seen him so ill in my life. He thought he was dying.
I tested him for covid which was negative and then my NDN gave me a flu test (who knew?!) which came out positive for type A. After 5 days of 39-40 temps I rang the GP to see if this was still normal with flu. He asked to me to bring him to the surgery ASAP to check for secondary infections and indeed his flu had complicated into a chest infection which he's on antibiotics for.
School have their flu vaccinations next Monday. Absolutely no point now, flu has already wiped out so many children and staff at the school. Far too late. Why wasn't it done in October?
I'm going to be making my own private vaccination arrangements next Autumn.

I'm getting a bit nervous about flu this year even though I've never had it! I'm vaccinated but I'm immunosuppressed so it isn't as effective. I really hope people will be sensible and avoid spreading it.

Okay cool and thanks for your reply. It just never occurred to me to phone a GP for flu so I was curious. Sounds horrid and unfortunately a bit like bad covid too. Hope you feel better soon.

Local hospital has just announced it’s brought back mandatory face masks for all staff, patients and visitors.

No thanks - my immune system works fine.
Funny all these people that have the vaccine then get ill isn’t it…..

I had the flu jab at superdrug a month ago, only £10 with their loyalty card. I feel it's worth it to avoid flu over Christmas.

I hope I'm not tempting fate...but I haven't had a cold or flu in years, never (to my knowledge) had covid, and I've never had any flu or covid jabs. I'm obviously just a lucky 54 year old.

I've been saying this for nearly 20 years of working as a paramedic. But apparently I'm not invincible and needed a litre of IV fluid to sort me out on Sunday when my lactate was raised (blood to acidic) and my blood pressure dropping. I'm on tamiflu and amoxicillin now. I've never felt ill like I did on Sunday morning. It has shaken me.

Think I'll have my flu vaccine next year!

NRTFT but I am a teacher working in a state primary school. I pay for my flu jab at Boots every year. Got it back in September. I've only had it for free when pregnant. My LA do refund £20 towards it though.

Same here. 48 and never had a flu jab or the flu.

It's so strange as I frequently come into contact with people who have flu or covid, and never caught it myself. 🙃