http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/01/08/have-you-gotten-your-flu-vaccine-yet Comments On: Have You Gotten Your Flu Vaccine Yet? by Goldy en-us Copyright 2013 The Stranger. All rights reserved. This RSS file is offered to individuals, The Stranger readers, and non-commercial organizations only. Any commercial websites wishing to use this RSS file, please contact The Stranger. webmaster@thestranger.com (The Stranger Webmaster) Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:01 -0700 Mon, 20 May 2013 23:30:00 -0700 Foundation http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss
but buttsex is still ok, right?
Posted by why are germs homophobic bastards?]]> Wed, 09 Jan 2013 00:05:29 -0800 The Stranger
However, maybe I'll do it this year, since you people are saying that it's cheap at Walgreens or some other store. I think I read somewhere that influenza kills more people than any other pathogen. Some of the personal flu stories in this thread have reminded me of how bad it is. Unlike a cold, when you get the flu, you can't get out of bed. So maybe I'll take the chance that the nurse will aim wrong with her injection and get the shot, for herd immunity and piece of mind. I'm still washing my hands, though.

BTW, shouldn't the third poll option also say "because I am a total idiot"?
Posted by floater]]> Wed, 09 Jan 2013 00:03:54 -0800 The Stranger
Also, all those bus riders who are too engrossed in their smartphones to cough in their elbows can go to hell and cough on each other there.

ALSO! My flu shot was free this year, because I'm under a new plan that has to adhere to Obamacare. HELL YES.
Posted by snakes]]> Tue, 08 Jan 2013 23:47:24 -0800 The Stranger Posted by Corydon]]> Tue, 08 Jan 2013 22:13:26 -0800 The Stranger Posted by Hack, cough]]> Tue, 08 Jan 2013 19:45:59 -0800 The Stranger Posted by emma's bee]]> Tue, 08 Jan 2013 19:44:13 -0800 The Stranger
OH, and be prepared to call around to find Tamiflu, as others have mentioned. They're running out.
Posted by STJA]]> Tue, 08 Jan 2013 19:20:37 -0800 The Stranger Posted by high and bi]]> Tue, 08 Jan 2013 18:12:54 -0800 The Stranger
No amount of reasonableness on your part will result in reasonableness on their part.
Posted by Will in Seattle]]> Tue, 08 Jan 2013 18:09:03 -0800 The Stranger Posted by kevomatic]]> Tue, 08 Jan 2013 18:01:49 -0800 The Stranger
As soon as I get my new insurance card, I'll go get it. Dammit.
Posted by leek]]> Tue, 08 Jan 2013 17:28:42 -0800 The Stranger Posted by ScienceNerd]]> Tue, 08 Jan 2013 17:20:52 -0800 The Stranger Posted by Who's had a flu shot AND a Vit. D3 test this winter?]]> Tue, 08 Jan 2013 17:08:42 -0800 The Stranger
There is no reason I should pay for it.
Posted by It's expensive majoring in English, but its important]]> Tue, 08 Jan 2013 16:56:29 -0800 The Stranger Posted by gnarly]]> Tue, 08 Jan 2013 16:54:45 -0800 The Stranger
The shot does tend to make me feel spacey and general shitty for a few days.

31 has a good point.
Posted by Cascadian Bacon]]> Tue, 08 Jan 2013 16:50:41 -0800 The Stranger Posted by internet_jen]]> Tue, 08 Jan 2013 16:50:36 -0800 The Stranger Posted by sarah70]]> Tue, 08 Jan 2013 16:50:35 -0800 The Stranger
Treacle, that's a lot of balogna.

There are non-mercury versions available. One of them isn't even a shot, it's a nasal mist.

Then there is the fact that the amount of mercury in a vaccine is less than is contained in a single serving of tuna fish from a can. Meaning if you eat pretty much any fish you get more mercury than that in your meal.

Then there is the fact that the miso soup thing is bullshit. Also things that pull heavy metals from your body are generally bullshit unless you suffer from heavy metal poisoning in which case you should stop listening to Slayer.
Posted by Arsenic7]]> Tue, 08 Jan 2013 16:48:54 -0800 The Stranger
Last winter I decided not to get a flu shot. Hadn't had the flu since I was a kid, but had been getting it because too many disease-carriers at work don't seem to care they are still contagious and come in anyway. I ended up very sick (peak temp 105 for about an hour, 103 for another six hours), shivering in bed having fever dreams despite the electric blanket on high, two jackets on, and a heater. I kept trying to drink water when I could so I wouldn't die from dehydration. It was a living nightmare. Realistically, I should have gone to the hospital, but I was so delirious that I kept telling my fiance (now wife) that I was okay and just needed to sleep some more.

People die from the flu. The CDC estimates between 3,000 and 49,000 people die every year from it (variable due to the nature of the pathogen). Sure, other sicknesses you stay home and sniffle, maybe feel some body pain or a slight fever. The flu, the bad flu, isn't that. It's not fun, and I'm getting my shots from now on (provided there isn't a shortage, then elderly/kids first, since they're most likely to die).
Posted by Tawnos]]> Tue, 08 Jan 2013 16:25:05 -0800 The Stranger Posted by Gern Blanston]]> Tue, 08 Jan 2013 16:17:08 -0800 The Stranger flu shots have mercury in them!

Ok, that's not why I don't get them. I don't get flu shots because my immune system is awesome and I don't get very sick... AND I was my hands very thoroughly and regularly. :>P

By the way, did you know "More than 90% of this year's flu vaccine supply will contain 25 micrograms of mercury" ?!?!

Eat more miso soup, apparently it pulls heavy metals from the body.
Posted by treacle]]> Tue, 08 Jan 2013 16:15:49 -0800 The Stranger Posted by BallardBoy]]> Tue, 08 Jan 2013 15:59:56 -0800 The Stranger Posted by rob!]]> Tue, 08 Jan 2013 15:54:13 -0800 The Stranger For me, it packed a bit of a wallop this year. I didn't feel sick after getting it, but I did feel like I was fighting something for about three days (increased immune response). Totally worth it to not be bedridden for a week.
Posted by usagi]]> Tue, 08 Jan 2013 15:52:12 -0800 The Stranger