STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

killa · Dooney & Bourke

The Flu Shot

jacL · Coach

I have gotten flu shots almost every year for the last eight years. I have gotten the flu a few times but I cannot remember if it has been a year I got the shot or not.

It does give some people a mild case of the flu but I have never gotten sick from it.

Therefore, I cannot say if it really does help, but at least for me, it doesn't hurt, so I get it just to be on the safe side.

jrhampt · Kenneth Cole

I always get one whenever my work is giving them out for free. I've never gotten sick from one, but I sure have gotten sick without them.

member · Hermes

I've gotten flu shots the past 3 years. Before that, I got the flu every winter, and after I had it 4 years ago, I vowed to get a flu shot, because I was so sick. Ever since I got the shot, I haven't gotten sick at all. So that's my experience - I believe it's totally helped me, but I'm sure some people do get sick from them.

cahabo · Kate Spade

I only got a flu shot once and I'll never get one again! I am never the type to get sick, but I was forced to get a flu shot. Soon after I was the sickest I've ever been in my life! I was so weak I could barely walk, and I got a nasty cough and coughed so much that I thought I broke a rib!

scarlett · Marc Jacobs

I'm probably posting too late, but just in case, the flu shot is not a live virus. I've generally gotten one every year and haven't had the flu in a long time -- last year I couldn't get one and I caught bronchitis later. I don't know if they were connected or not, but I wondered. It's not unusual to feel a little off right after getting the shot, but in my experience they do protect against the flu.

Elle · Hermes

Well, the flu shot in any given year only protects you from the most popular strain (or two?) of the flu virus in that given year. Sooo, it's absolutely possible that you could get the flu shot and still end up with the flu. The shot is not a live virus, like Scarlett pointed out, but your body does have to work a bit of overtime to pump all the antibodies out, which can cause fatigue in some people. Some also contain certain preservatives that some peoples bodies can be sensitive to. It shouldn't have any effect on your likelihood of contracting any other infections though (like bronchitis or pneumonia).

The nasal spray that's available in some places now contains a very weakened live virus, and therefore can actually *cause* the flu in a certain percentage of people who use it - usually people whose immune system is already depressed.

If you work in a hospital or are around children or the elderly alot, I'd definitely get a shot. If not, I'd just be vigilant about hand washing and call it good .

shopgirl82 · Chanel

For what it's worth, my mom has worked in the hospital for 30 yrs and never gotten the flu shot. In the past 10 years she's gotten the flu once. I think she has a kick-ass immune system. Growing up I never got the flu shot and never got the flu maybe twice. I still don't get the flu shot and while I randomly get colds, I rarely get more than just a 24 hr. bug.

So, I think it depends on your immune system. I think I have a fairly good immune system and since what I've been doing has worked pretty well thus far, I'm sticking with it.

Kitty · Hermes

Very opposed to the flu shot...

kittenheels · Coach

I get it every year (it's free at my office). I always feel sort of sick the next day - and my arm always hurts. But, I'm sort of in the habit now. I haven't had the flu recently, but I've had plenty of terrible winter colds and sore throats. But, like I said, it's a habit now!