Patient Comments

While reading a doctor's commentary on how flu shots are practically harmless and have few side effects, I decided to read the comments posted in response to the doctor's statements and saw some very different opinions. There were complaints of severe muscle pain that disturbed or prevented daily activities, headache accompanied by neck pain, and fatigue. There was page after page of comments such as these. The comment that stood out most was from an RN who was subjected to a mandatory flu vaccine. She said, "I had never had a flu shot, had flu maybe every 10-15 years, am very healthy, no chronic illnesses and I take no medicines. I am only allergic to penicillin, nothing else. I was forced to get flu shot for the first time this year as I am a registered nurse. A few hours after the shot, my arm started getting wheals, then itching, burning, swelling to 7cm circumference, plus burning and itching of eyes/nose/throat. It's been 3 weeks and I still don't feel right. I needed a week of prednisone. My employer told me only Guillain-Barré syndrome and anaphylaxis "count” as a reaction. So basically you have to stop breathing or be paralyzed to be excused. I missed a whole week of work. I can't afford to make myself sick every year and miss a whole week of work. I don't want to do this again." I don't knw about you but this does not make me want a flu shot. As always I encourage you to read it for yourself. Here is a link to the site: http://www.medicinenet.com/flu_vaccination/patient-comments-859-page2.htm