The Flu!

I have been ill since Saturday night. Well last night I did not sleep well because I woke up with a high fever--you know chills, aches and pains, sweating and hot dry mouth. Today I started coughing and decided to just run over to the University Health Center to see what they had to say and they tell me that I am one of about 6 students who had been in there in the past two days with the flu--already? I feel much better, haven taken some prescription strength decongestants. Everyone get your flu shots! Law students appear to be more germy than other people. Keep your a$$ at home if you are really sick, of course I say this but I know that I have to go in sickness and in health.

Oh no! the flu is awful.

what does everyone think about flu shots? I've only had one in my life (when my child was a baby). Since we're all out of the high risk categories, we don't get them. I always wonder if we should. (have only had the real actual flu once about 7 years ago that I an recall).

bsmartipants - do you have to get the flu shot since you've already had the flu? try to take care of yourself.

Take proboitics.

Take proboitics.

take what?

Oh no! the flu is awful.

what does everyone think about flu shots? I've only had one in my life (when my child was a baby). Since we're all out of the high risk categories, we don't get them. I always wonder if we should. (have only had the real actual flu once about 7 years ago that I an recall).

bsmartipants - do you have to get the flu shot since you've already had the flu? try to take care of yourself.

Good question. I only took one about three years ago at the request of my mother because my grandma had breast cancer and she did not want to further compromise her health. I wash my hands all of the time and never touch my face when hands are not clean, but the doc told me that, that only cuts your risk by about 15%, most people get it from a nearby peer coughing and sneezing into the air.

take what?

Pro.... Biotics ..... They are the opposite of Antibiotics. Very good for you.

Pro.... Biotics ..... They are the opposite of Antibiotics. Very good for you.

they got 'em at walgreens?

they got 'em at walgreens?

Go to a real health food place. Healthy Trinity is the brand you want

Oh no! the flu is awful.

what does everyone think about flu shots? I've only had one in my life (when my child was a baby). Since we're all out of the high risk categories, we don't get them. I always wonder if we should. (have only had the real actual flu once about 7 years ago that I an recall).

bsmartipants - do you have to get the flu shot since you've already had the flu? try to take care of yourself.

I take a flu shot every year, along with the old people. I work in a germ breeding gound , so I gotta take every precaution I can.

The flu shot is a good thing. I have not heard any advance word on this year's strain, so, that means it should be pretty benign (tough to accept that if you get it, however) relatively speaking. Remember, the flu is caused by a virus and probiotics probably will not do much one way or the other since they are bacteria.

Go to a real health food place. Healthy Trinity is the brand you want

YES!!! I hear about Healthy Trinity all the time! I believe I am going to order some. And I'm pretty sure they are not sold in stores.

The flu shot is a good thing. I have not heard any advance word on this year's strain, so, that means it should be pretty benign (tough to accept that if you get it, however) relatively speaking. Remember, the flu is caused by a virus and probiotics probably will not do much one way or the other since they are bacteria.

But isn't it more of a long term immune booster, more for prevention (along with a diet low in sugar, simple carbs, etc)? Not for getting rid of the flu once you have it.

However, I'm no doc., just done a fair share of reading thru the years.

OK, here's my question- what does it hurt to get the flu shot- it's 5 sec. and no too much $$ and you're pretty safe to not get it. I've taught school for 15 years, and been in contact with 800 kids every 2 weeks- would I dare miss a flu shot?? no way!! My kids and I get them every year, with vitamins (yes- I still take pre-natels- I think they make you bullit-proof!!) I've heard about pro-biotics- would love to know more, but I'm a firm believer in the flu shot!!;-)

OK, here's my question- what does it hurt to get the flu shot- it's 5 sec. and no too much $$ and you're pretty safe to not get it. I've taught school for 15 years, and been in contact with 800 kids every 2 weeks- would I dare miss a flu shot?? no way!! My kids and I get them every year, with vitamins (yes- I still take pre-natels- I think they make you bullit-proof!!) I've heard about pro-biotics- would love to know more, but I'm a firm believer in the flu shot!!;-)

Ditto. We all got ours yesterday.

Guess it's time to call the health dept.!!

I agree it is a good thing to do for yourself and family (a flu shot). I just don't know how necessary it is, especially if you are not high risk. We get plenty of colds but that's about it. Maybe we will do it this year...

OH, Dr. Skunkape. since you are giving us free medical advice here. what about vitamins for kids?

We started getting flu shots years ago when my Dad was ill. We were around hospitals and doctors offices all the time, plus his docs did not want us to get the flu and give it to Dad. They work- research shows this! We have never had any side effects. (Well... but crazy ain't cuased by the flu shot! )

We did notice that we stopped getting really sick over the winter- something that used to happen at least once during the flu season. So we continued getting the flu shots after Dad died- no risk involved to make sure we don't get the flu, or if we should get a different flu strain than what the shot is formulated for, the symptoms will not be as severe. With kids, who has the luxury of being really sick?

The kids get them too for asthma/allergy reasons. Like Oceanlovers's kids, the flu would really be awful for Kate and Will.

...I am so sorry you got the flu, bsmarty. Thanks for the reminder about the flu shot.

I don't know if probiotics boost your overall immune system (I doubt it). They are great if you have a bacterial overgrowth in the gut with a nasty bug like Clostridium dificil after a course of antibiotics. But in general we all have a perfectly balanced zoo of gut flora and probiotics don't do much one way or the other. Also, I googled the brand that was mentioned above and those things are roughly 95 cents per capsule! Now, that is expensive when you consider you could eat half a container of plain old yogurt and get just as much of the friendly bacteria. Vitamins are great for kids but may be overkill if your little ones eat a well-balanced diet. A Flintstone a day is not a bad idea. They sure as heck don't need megadoses of anything or herbs to accelerate growth, focus, etc.

Grayton Kid has Strep! He was home yesterday with the meds.

I don't know if probiotics boost your overall immune system (I doubt it). They are great if you have a bacterial overgrowth in the gut with a nasty bug like Clostridium dificil after a course of antibiotics. But in general we all have a perfectly balanced zoo of gut flora and probiotics don't do much one way or the other. Also, I googled the brand that was mentioned above and those things are roughly 95 cents per capsule! Now, that is expensive when you consider you could eat half a container of plain old yogurt and get just as much of the friendly bacteria. Vitamins are great for kids but may be overkill if your little ones eat a well-balanced diet. A Flintstone a day is not a bad idea. They sure as heck don't need megadoses of anything or herbs to accelerate growth, focus, etc.

Thanks for your insight on the probiotics. I'm going thru a phase where I'm not actually eating a very good diet right now, so it would be irresponsible of me to have too much of an opinion. However, I would say the Flinstone vit's. are loaded with sugar and I believe there are probably better choices. Something from a healthfood store and some guidance. And yes, if they (or any of us) eat a balanced diet, there is no need.

My 15 y.o. son eats absolutely no vegetables at all, not even potatoes; only meat, meat, and more meat. I worry so much about him having no dietary fiber, roughage, etc. I'm hoping some girlfriend will turn him on to better diet choices one day.

Thanks for your insight on the probiotics. I'm going thru a phase where I'm not actually eating a very good diet right now, so it would be irresponsible of me to have too much of an opinion. However, I would say the Flinstone vit's. are loaded with sugar and I believe there are probably better choices. Something from a healthfood store and some guidance. And yes, if they (or any of us) eat a balanced diet, there is no need.

My 15 y.o. son eats absolutely no vegetables at all, not even potatoes; only meat, meat, and more meat. I worry so much about him having no dietary fiber, roughage, etc. I'm hoping some girlfriend will turn him on to better diet choices one day.

Not an expert on this so someone else correct me if need be...Since you can't get him to eat the roughage would it help to give him fiber supplements? There are natural fiber capsules you can get. At least it would help ease some of that meat out of his system. I feel for you, my sone hated all vegetables too. Good luck.

Grayton Kid has Strep! He was home yesterday with the meds.

Oh no! That is far worse than the flu in my opinion because it comes with an upset stomach too, right?

Oh no! That is far worse than the flu in my opinion because it comes with an upset stomach too, right?

I don't know if he has been sick at his stomach. I asked him last night what he was drinking and he said "fluids". Mainly you get a fever and ache all over, plus the sore throat.

I don't know if he has been sick at his stomach. I asked him last night what he was drinking and he said "fluids". Mainly you get a fever and ache all over, plus the sore throat.

I got strep throat a few years ago. And when they say it is the worst sore throat you'll ever have, they mean it. It does come with a high fever and aches, but no stomach problems for me. I thought I could whip it and stayed in bed for a day or 2 (I felt so bad, I couldn't do anything else). Then when I could no longer swallow a sip of liquid (which was very scary), I knew it was time to go to the ER (it was the wk-end, of course). I had a fever of 103 and the ER dr. scolded me and said I should never let my temp get that high again. It was truly one of the sickest times in my life, I believe.

I hope GK feels better soon!

And Bsmart too!!