The flu ***

[Irishwizard]

As you can tell I'm trying to add meaningful discussion to this forum, and I had a strange experience this PM, only cos my Mrs is having trouble getting a flu *** to fit in with her very busy working schedule. anyway, I thought I would ask if I could have one, especially since a recent cold totally pole-axed me. turns out Im not old enough...got to be 65.... not 64 and a half or 63 even.
any thoughts you load of OAP's out there???

 

[terrym]

I have one every year as does mrs terrym cos we qualify on age, it seems like a good idea, and its free. Before I qualified on age I had one since they told me I might have asthma. So if you have some respiratory problems you might qualify.
Does it work? Well I've had virus infections even though I've had a flu ***, but presumably the flu *** will stop you getting the flu strain it's targeted at, but you are screwed if they don't predict what's coming along, and are then in the same boat as everyone else.
Don't underestimate what flu can do. During 1918-1920 the 'Spanish Flu' pandemic killed an estimated 100 million people.

 

[Scotbrew]

We can get them via work for a nominal cost - not age related. Local pharmacy does them. :thumb:

 

[GerritT]

I'm in a program where I can get one free. Hart valves not completely up to specs: free flu *** yay.
But even though there're approx. 3 strains doing the rounds in the average winter, being fully prepared for one of them means being also more prepared for the other two.

 

[Leon103]

Our surgery give them out for fun. You go in for one thing, come out with a flu ***. My employer also give them to all staff

 

[MarkBowie]

If you enquiry at the main supermarket pharmacies you can usually get one for a small fee.

 

[Duxuk]

The OP contains a common misunderstanding. Getting a cold is nothing like getting flu. The flu *** protects you against known flu viruses but if new viruses evolve you could still catch those. It will, however, have no effect whatsoever on the common cold.
I've had real flu once. I had very mild cold like symptoms but a sense of complete exhaustion. It's about the most ill I've ever felt.

 

[dad_of_jon]

You can also get a free *** if you're a carer for an elderly relative. So mrs DOJ who is 53 gets one. I've had mine via work free of charge because they've worked out it would be cheaper to provide it that lose a shedful of staff to it for around 5 days per person!

 

[chesters-mild]

I've had mine each year since I turned 60, also folks ask about your once in a lifetime viral pneumonia ***, also free to oldies :)
Cheers

 

[Cwrw666]

I have asthma so I get a flu *** free even though I'm only 62. It didn't stop me getting the flu last year though so I guess it was a different strain.

 

[Irishwizard]

Having scanned all your replies it looks like Im being shafted!

 

[MagnusTS]

Cheapest is £5 at ASDA I think.
Well worth doing for a fiver.

But yeah, gotta be 65+ for free one.
Or pregnant. Or carer. Or some health conditions such as diabetes or asthma.

 

[chub1]

As you can tell I'm trying to add meaningful discussion to this forum, and I had a strange experience this PM, only cos my Mrs is having trouble getting a flu *** to fit in with her very busy working schedule. anyway, I thought I would ask if I could have one, especially since a recent cold totally pole-axed me. turns out Im not old enough...got to be 65.... not 64 and a half or 63 even.
any thoughts you load of OAP's out there???

Most pharmacists will supply a flu ***,ok you have to pay, but not a bank breaking amount.
Both my wife and i get one due to age and health reasons.Am i convinced they do any good!,not sure to be honest.Guess until there is a puckka flu outbreak one will never know.Only ever had (proper)flu once in my lifetime and i was pole axed. People do confuse heavy colds and flu very easily.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

People do confuse heavy colds and flu very easily.

It sounds better when you have a slight cold and ring in sick. :wink:

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