The Flu Shot? - Ogdensburg,NY

Updated on November 23, 2011
S.F. asks from Ogdensburg, NY
18 answers

Is the flu shot definitely a dead virus that they give you? I know I probably sound crazy asking this question but I have OCD and it makes you stress and worry about the dumbest stuff sometimes so....
I have a 2 yr old at home and I am 6 months pregnant so I am petrified of the flu with it being flu season and all. Someone who just got the flu shot yesterday wants to come to visit and I am a bit apprehensive to say yes because I am paranoid
Please someone tell me that I am just being OCD crazy

Thanks

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Featured Answers

C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

Mama:

Take a deep breath - let it out slowly - now take another one...let it out slowly...

You are being paranoid. They are safe to come over...remember to breath...you will be fine...

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B.A.

answers from Chicago on

The flu shot is a dead virus that they give you, the flu mist is a live tenuated(altered) virus and neither can give you the flu. If you are not allergic to eggs(egg protein can be used as a base for the vaccine) you should be fine. To those who say they get sick right after getting the vaccine, this is usually a coincidence and you were going to get sick anyway. For the 2 weeks after you get the vaccine, get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids and eat healthy...no wait that is all the time. This healthy way will give you immune system the best use of the vaccine and help keep you from getting other bugs as well. Hand washing, staying away from huge crowds and stores when you don't need to be there are the best way to keep things healthy for you. It is recommended for pregnant women, young children, elderly and those with immune system compromises. Here is to a healthy winter for you and a wonderful new addition. Happy Thanksgiving.

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S.M.

answers from Washington DC on

There is no risk to you. You ARE at risk of catching the flu from some unvaccinated person who has it. Or your own child if he isn't vaccinated or vice versa. Or some unvaccinated little kid running around whose parents didn't get him the whooping cough vaccination or something.

When people get the flu mist vaccination, there is a tiny chance that they can pass the virus through a sneeze, but only for the hour or so after getting the spray.

So, yes, you are being OCD crazy. The flu vaccine creates immunity. Without the vaccine, you are extremely unlikly to be immune, and thus you are vulnerable to everyone else. Not your friend.

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L.V.

answers from Dallas on

The shot is a killed virus. The flu mist (that they give as a nasal spray) is a weakened live virus. Make sure they got the shot and not the mist, if you're that OCD paranoid, and enjoy their company. Try to relax. Pregnancy is supposed to be a joyous time! =) Good luck!

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J.S.

answers from Hartford on

You are perfectly safe from someone who got the flu shot. You're more safe from the flu from someone who got the flu shot than from someone who didn't get it. You should actually go get the flu shot for yourself while you're pregnant since you're going to be pregnant during the worst of the flu season. Protect yourself and the baby and your 2 year old. Get your 2 year old vaccinated as well. Influenza is nothing to mess with.

The shot is dead virus. The FluMist that you inhale has some live virus in it. That one makes me a bit nervous, but it's perfectly safe.

You can get some soreness in the arm at the vaccination site. You can get some nausea, a headache, irritability, some tiredness, and a low grade fever up to 100.5 but that's all normal. It typically can last up to three days. Tylenol usually takes care of the symptoms for children and adults, and it's safe to take when you're pregnant.

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M.D.

answers from Washington DC on

Yes, it's okay for them to come over.

But the flu freaks me out too!

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J.T.

answers from Victoria on

go get a flu shot and stop being ocd crazy. congrats on the new baby! i also hated flu season with a pregnant belly and infants ... i was ocd crazy too!

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J.R.

answers from Miami on

Hi.
You are not OCD crazy. I have OCD of the brain -- that is I get anxious thoughts when my son gets hurt....So I understand where you are coming from.
You are safe. You are secure. Your friend who had the shot cannot give you the germs from the shot. It is in her system. I promise you.
Enjoy your friend.
and good for you for asking the question.
It is important to talk and get support for the issues that concern you. I know from experience.
Jilly

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D.K.

answers from Pittsburgh on

You should go get a flu shot for yourself and your 2 year old if you have not already. Complications are higher in pregnant women and can you possibly imagine taking care of a newborn and a 2 year old while you have the flu?

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M.M.

answers from New York on

I am an Rn who worked a flu clinic this season. It is definitely a dead virus and you cannot catch the flu from being in contact with someone else's flu shot.

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R.A.

answers from Providence on

You are just being OCD crazy..also known as being a MOM ..:)

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J.C.

answers from New York on

It's fine. You're very safe. But that being said, you should be getting one for yourself especially since your pregnant.

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P.M.

answers from Portland on

Yes, the virus they use for the shots is inactivated/dead.

If you need to obsess, how about worrying this one to pieces: Far more people die or suffer serious effects from the illness than from the vaccine.

Be aware that only three viral strains are chosen for each year's vaccine, based on which ones are projected to cause the most trouble. So it is still possible to catch one of the many strains that go around; this is why some people seem to catch the flu from getting the shot – they were already incubating one of the extraneous strains when they got their shot.

If your guest is carrying the flu, it's not from the shot. The vaccine cannot be transmitted from one person to another.

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☆.A.

answers from Pittsburgh on

You are being OCD crazy!

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J.V.

answers from Utica on

I am also an RN and administer flu shots. You CAN NOT get the flu from the flu vaccine. You can get a little vaccine reaction, like babies do after they get shots (little fever, tired, sore arm). Have fun with your friend :)

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B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

You should be fine.
You've got a better chance of getting the flu at the super market, mall or on a bus (anyplace where large numbers of people gather, so church might be a hot spot, too).
We had our flu shots and were just tired for a few days.

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E.M.

answers from New York on

It is highly recommended to get a flu shot ESPECIALLY if youa re pregnant-I am 6 month pregnant and also have a 2 year old and we both got one. You can not get the flu from your friend that has gotten the flu shot. The flu stinks, so go get your shot......good luck :)

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E.M.

answers from New York on

Haven't they determined that they "chose poorly" for this year's flu shot and it's basically useless?

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