<p>Its not a matter of “willpower”. Some have different strains of flu, and folks may respond differently based on age, underlying health status, etc. But the bigger issue is that it is very contageous, and exposing others to it is selfish and unkind. It can be not only very debilitating, but can cause secondary infections, pneumonia and cause serious health risk to others. If you have the flu, STAY HOME.</p>
<p>I don’t vaccinate against flu. I have never goten a flu, and it’s been a long time since getting a common cold. The same for my kid. The last time she got sick was more then 10 years ago in kindergarten. I don’t think I am selfish not getting a flu vaccine.</p>
<p>I have gotten the flu shot for the past several years because (a) its free (insu covers it) and (b) I am around a lot of people. I dont want to catch it, but more importantly I dont want to expose others to it. That is, IMO, the selfish part. Its fine to choose not to get a flu shot, but if one truly has the flu, they shouldn’t think they have more “willpower” and think whatever they have to do is so important that they can’t take care of themselves for a few days. The selfish part is exposing others to the flu by being out and about and spreading germs.</p>
<p><strong>eta</strong> apologies if my post was not clear, Igloo. What I think is unfair/unkind is to risk the health of others by thinking one has more “willpower” (see post 60) and chooses to go out and expose others to the flu.</p>
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<p>Interesting that the Gates Foundation has made worldwide vaccination campaigns and efforts to develop new vaccines the centerpiece of their philanthropic efforts. This says it is not a ‘rich person’s problem’ to not vaccinate, but a pretty dumb choice. Lower income parts of the world would give a lot to have the chance to give the vaccines that idiots here regularly turn down or are “too busy” to get.</p>
<p>I remember just a couple of years ago reading about a resurgence of “measles parties” where parents would bring their kids to deliberately expose them to a kid with measles or chicken pox. Like that’s not as dangerous as a vaccine :/</p>
<p>No worries, jym. I agree with you about trying not to infect others. </p>
<p>intparent, that’s assuming Gate Foundation is addressing the most pressing issues in the world. Are they or are they trying to create their identity by grabbing a namable project?</p>
<p>Some people in developing countries are happy to get vaccinated, not all. You read this kind of stuff all the time:
[Were</a> health care workers in Nigeria murdered for doling out polio vaccines? - CSMonitor.com](<a href=“http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/Africa-Monitor/2013/0212/Were-health-care-workers-in-Nigeria-murdered-for-doling-out-polio-vaccines]Were”>Were health care workers in Nigeria murdered for doling out polio vaccines? - CSMonitor.com)</p>
<p>My vaccination stories:</p>
<p>When I was in grad school, a fellow student, international, died from chicken pox. That was before the vaccine had become common. Chixpox is rare in many other countries. And a serious disease in adults. When my husband first came to US, chixpox exposure is something he, like many immigrants, had to be concerned about for years, now vaccinated.</p>
<p>My kids got their vaccines before it had became apparent that a 2nd booster shot was needed. So both came down with mild cases of the illness at age 10/12. There was a vaccine refusenik family in D’s theatre group and when mom heard of D’s illness, asked us to meet with her kids for some close contact to expose them so they could get the sickness over with. My D was totally weirded out by that. Plus she was grouchy because sick, so didn’t want to have any part of it.</p>
<p>Children dying because idiots listened to a supermodel and a guy who was hired to win a lawsuit is not a rich person’s problem.</p>
<p>When my oldest was little, there was no chickenpox vaccine so many parents wanted their kids to get it while they were still young knowing that the disease in an adult was much more dangerous. When mine had it during his 4th birthday party, I called every parent to let them know and not only did they all come, some asked if they could bring their other children too.</p>
<p>My second had it when he was just under three, but his younger brother was slightly under one and had a really, really mild case. I know he had it: has two scars from it, but he had only a few spots unlike the other two children. I’ve heard that it means he might not be immune. Should he look into that?</p>
<p>You should contact your doctor, a trained medical professional, rather than relying on the advice of strangers on a college admission forum.</p>
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<p>I don’t think projects to eradicate polio or find a vaccine for malaria are “grabbing a namable project”. The Gates Foundation is taking on some tough problems that so far have eluded governments, individuals, and health organizations from conquering. I’m guessing you are not too well informed on their mission and activities – you might want to read up on them before accusing them of something like this. I have a lot of admiration for the work they are doing.</p>
<p>3bm, there’s a test they can do to test for immunity. I had chicken pox when I was only a couple months old so I never got the vaccine. The doctor ran a blood test on me a few years ago to make sure I was immune.</p>
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I have actually asked doctors and there seems to be a difference of opinions so was looking for input here. Didn’t know it wasn’t allowed. Especially since there seem to be no end to questions asked here that should be asked of your doctor.</p>
<p>Roman: thanks. That’s what I suggested to my son that he do.</p>
<p>I found out from my doctor when pregnant with my 1st kid that my rubella titer (antibody level) was low. My doctor advised me to avoid exposure to anyone with german measles. We went on vacation and had a friend house sit. When we got back I asked her how things went – she said “Fine, but I had to stay home at your house most of the week because I was exposed to german measles and was quarantined.” :eek:</p>
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Some fight off illnesses easier than others due to their immunity level and are not subject to being paralyzed in their bed because of the flu. </p>
<p>It may be unfair/unkind for someone to go out when they have the flu, but what can you do?</p>
<p>If you have the flu, odds are you are not going anywhere. </p>
<p>Again, real flu not what we call the flu.</p>
<p>No, that is your definition. Your view of the flu seems to only be of the most crippling illness that leaves the sufferer paralyzed in their bed. This is not the case. Some people simply have a higher tolerance level than others and are not subject to the dilapidating symptoms that other are subject to. </p>
<p>You can’t tell someone they don’t have a “serious” flu just because they were able to get out if the house. This is not in response to my personal story. This is in response to you saying someone doesn’t have a “real” flu.</p>
<p>But some people do die from complications of the flu, which is why some people are saying if you truly have the flu, stay home. Be considerate of others. No one is indispensable. Thats what sick days are for or friends to get class notes.</p>
<p>I have had “real influenza” four times. Once just out of college. It put me flat on my back for over a week, and I had no idea what I had at the time. Barely enough energy to call into work sick every day. Then I caught it two years in a row from my youngest (this is before we all got flu vaccines). Ugh. First a week taking care of her, then a week sick myself. No more of that for us! Now we all get vaccinated every year and things were good… until H1N1 came around and there was no vaccine. Yet again… D2 comes down with it and I had it a week later.</p>
<p>Every time we were both sick enough (including a fever) that we could barely get out of bed for a few days in the middle of it. No way would we have been able to go to work or school, and it would have been damned irresponsible if we had even tried. No amount of “willpower” short of a burning building would have gotten us any further that the house or the doctor’s office. Two of those times we had definitive tests from the doctor confirming influenza. </p>
<p>Niquii77, I seriously doubt you actually had influenza, especially as I think you mentioned you didn’t have a fever.</p>
<p>S#1 had it his Sr yr of HS, just as some scholarship apps were due. He was so sick he could not sit up to write/type. He literally had to dictate to me and I wrote it for him. He was 17 and otherwise very healthy. This seriously knocked him on his butt. We almost had to cancel our upcoming holiday vacation because we weren’t sure he would be well enough to travel.</p>