I never get the flu shot, but the last time i did... sure nuff i got the flu a few weeks later. Havent gotten it again since, but havent been sick since then either..

Coincidence? Hum...

 

Despite what many people think, the flu vaccine can not and does not cause the flu. Alas, vaccinations are weird because once someone has their mind made up one way or the other, it's impossible to convince them otherwise.

 

I know youre in med school so explain it to us. I just find it hard to believe there is no correlation when Ive talked to many people with the same experience as me.

 

I agree completely, i just wasnt gonna comment in here.

 

The flu vaccine is an inactivated virus, it simply cannot cause the flu. That's the entire explanation.

The powers that be get together and formulate a vaccine with a certain number of strains (I can't remember of the top of my head, I think 3) that they think will be the most common for the upcoming flu season. There are many more strains of flu so getting a flu shot isn't a sure way to keep from contracting the flu, but it is a reasonable insurance policy. There are also other viruses that cause flu like symptoms that are outside of the influenza family that are very common as well. In addition, the flu vaccine usually takes 2 weeks to take effect so there is a window after you get the flu vaccine where you can get the flu although you've already been vaccinated.

There have been several studies done where participants received either a flu shot or a salt water injection and side effects were recorded. There were no differences in the complaints of body aches, runny noses, etc between the two groups. The only difference was more soreness at the injection site with those who received the flu vaccine but that's to be expected.

 

Im all for beign educated, all Ive got to go off of is experience, and Ive laid my experience out there. Ive only had the flu twice and both times were seasons that I had the vaccine and then there are tons of people inlcuding the ones that posted in here who have had similar experiences with me. Ive been around for 25 years, 3 years Ive had the vaccine, two of those years I got the flu, how do you explain that?

 

I got my flu vaccine in December so it had plenty of time to take hold before I contracted the flu. Both times they took a nasal swab to confirm it was the flu and it was in fact the flu not something else.

I dont know what to say about the side effects after injection, I dont really feel bad per say but I dont feel like my normal self. Thats happened two out of the three times I got the vaccine. The first time I got it I didnt feel so great the second time I felt fine and this last time I didnt feel very good. Mainly achyness was the main symptom.

I realize there are many strains of the influenza virus but thus far with my dealings it seems to be a waste of time for me atleast. Maybe it has something to do with my particular body? IDK what the deal is, Im just a simpleton construction inspector, obviously you and Colton are much more well versed in the human body and what makes it tick than me. I just see what I see and I see a common denominator here...

 

I attribute it to a recall phenomenon where people who it had it happened to them (which can be a large number of people given the many other things that can cause flu-like symptoms) tend to remember it better and associate it with the flu vaccine as compared to those who never had any flu-like symptoms after being given the shot.

Heresay is heresay and research is research. I tend to err towards the side of research, unlike one Ms. Jenny McCarthy.

 

There are always chances for false positives with medical tests. I don't doubt that you did test positive for the flu but I'd bet the farm it wasn't a strain that you were vaccinated for. Like I said, a team gets together and tries to predict which strains will be most prevalent for the next flu season. It isn't a completely accurate science but they're usually pretty good.

Everyone is different so it could be that you may happen to be more susceptible to certain flu viruses that are more uncommon in the general population that isn't in the vaccination.

 

Two words.... Conspiracy Theory