Tuesday, January 22, 2013

What Are the Odds?


This year, as in years past, Hubby and I went to one of the walk-in clinics to get our flu shots.  We are gamblers that way.  This years odds are that about 60 percent of the various strains of flu are covered by this year's shots.  Yes, the odds are in our favor not to be standing in the crowded hallways of the infected, sneezing, wheezing, snotting, coughing, vomiting, pooing people that picked up the bug from some shopping cart or ill-placed sneeze.


Viruses are camped out everywhere.



The good news regarding the "40 percent that is not covered in the flu shot" is,  IF or when you happen to get a virus, it's probably going to be milder that you would otherwise get.  Yea!!! So when you get the flu try to be gracious about it.   It is a much better flu than you would of gotten prior to getting your shot.



And, of course, as I previously... stated we got our shots...and we got our  flu a week after getting the shot.  Far be it from me to pass the buck,  but Hubby got the flu first.  His mild case wasn't all that mild which sent him to the doctor.  The doctor said " Be sure to tell your wife there isn't a snowball's prayer in hell that she is going to escape this."  Thanks, Doc for the heads up.

So a couple of days later...I surely did get the flu. It was a nice mild flu that only kept me down for a couple of days.  See those shots really do give you a better flu.

Thought Number One:  You Can Run But You Can't Hide







Who knew to check the Weather Channel to find out where the flu outbreaks are?  Handy really.... that while you are finding out that there are limited places that you might travel to lower your risks, you can be checking the temperature, as well.

 It would seem that we all need to go to Guam.  Yes, Guam is calling us if we are really wanting to hedge our bets against getting a flu virus. The U.S Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico aren't reporting any flu cases. Is there a way of knowing though if they are just not calling the CDC, or is everyone there too ill to make the call?  I am not chancing it. It appears the best bet for reducing your flu virus exposure in the continental U.S. is Tennessee and Washington D.C.  The viruses there are staying in certain regions, it seems.  I guess you need to check it out with the Weather Channel. 


Thought Number Two:  Prevention Seems to Be the Way to Go

I, have decided rather than travel to parts unknown on the "outside chance" that I might dodge some nasty shopping cart handle riddled with illnesses that I prefer not to have, I am beefing up my efforts to be unapproachable.  (with my current methods "being unapproachable" is referring to both viruses and people)

No virus is going to go unwiped.

Crabby Pants and I have decided that for the duration of this flu epidemic there will be:

NO HANDSHAKING.....We will for now..do hip-bumping or head-nodding depending on our familiarity to you.

NO HUGGING, NO BACK PATTING, NO HIGH-FIVEING (not that we would do that anyway) NO HAND HOLDING,  AND KISSING IS LIMITED TO FAMILY MEMBERS ONLY.

(Husband, children and grandchildren are exempt from all the NOs listed above.  We do reserve the right to wipe you down with antibacterial wipes, though.  Sorry for any inconvenience that this might cause.)
 

AND for the immediate future, we will be dressing accordingly:

In normal or low-density populations we will just be wrapped in antibacterial wipes.




You really, should be thanking me as I am protecting you from my germs as well.



AND LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST....in highly populated areas and disgustingly germ ridden places,  .... we will be taking every precaution.










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24 comments:

Liggybee said...

Hmmm...my family doesn't get flu shots (we just don't do well with them). But we keep up with preventive care measures, don't drink sodas or consume high fructose corn syrup stuff which really damage the immune system, and drink alkaline, mineral water. Seems to work so far (knock on wood!). :)


Hope you and your family stay warm and hope the germs stay away from you! And stay safe...winter is not yet over! :D



Click! (for good health! )

Cheryl P. said...

I am thinking everyone needs a Hazmat suit...there are some seriously nasty virus out there this year. Stay well!!!!

Cheryl P. said...

I think that is fascinating that Tennessee has less flu than everyone else. Somebody should research what is in the water, or air or whatever. Hope you both remain healthy and St. Paulie Girl has no other flues come her way this season. You must have a superior immune system so you might be safe anyway.

Cheryl P. said...

I admire your avoidance of high fructose corn syrup. That is really hard to do as it is so prevalent. I am trying to be more vigilant.



I am hopeful we have had our one little bout. Typically we are pretty healthy people.



You and your family stay safe and warm as well.

Lia said...

I might be jinxing myself when I say this but, I haven't gotten the flu shot and I have been thus far not sick (except for the Black Friday fever, which was actually caused by fatigue). Strange though because I literally nursed my whole family through sickness. I think my immune system built up just from those kinds of exposure. I also don't do flu shots because they're loaded with carcinogens and are injected in places that are not conducive to helping your immunity (if it's on your arm, very unlikely the blood flow will help the cocktail reach your lungs where it needs the most help).

But I love how "gracious" you are about getting the mild flu. The optimist in you is inspiring haha!

Rest well and wear your CDC bodysuits. I hope to read more from your non-sick self! (and I SO reserve the right to hug you with sanitary wipes covering our bodies)

Susan Alton said...

No flu here. I wash my hands like crazy after going to: movie theater (where I sit as far away from others as possible), stores, restaurants, public restrooms. Keeping fingers and toes crossed (seems to work about as well as the flu vaccine) that we won't pick up the bug!

Cheryl P. said...

I am so OK with hugging you. You must have a SUPER immune system if you can nurse your family through sickness and not catch anything. Still antibacterial wipes might be a good idea.

Cheryl P. said...

I do think hand washing is a big part of keeping flu at bay. We joke here that we are exposed to every known virus because our little grandboys are in daycare. If that is the price to pay...an occasional bout of cold or flu to get sloppy kisses from grandbabies....I am totally fine with it.

winopants said...

Only 60% covered? That doesn't sound so good. I'm taking the cross my fingers and see what happens route. At least I'm a compulsive hand washer

Cheryl P. said...

Yep, that what the news is saying 60 percent of the most prevalent flu strains can be avoided or diminished with the shot. With my luck I would get some horrible flu and be kicking myself for not getting the shot. It's just rolling the dice. Still some people just have good immune systems and won't catch it anyway I suppose. Keep washing those hands and dodge anyone that is coughing or sneezing. I would be glad to share my Handi-wipes.

Riot Kitty said...

"We are the 40%!" You crack me up! Hope you avoid 100%. That would beat moving to Tennessee.

Cheryl P. said...

I hope to have no further interaction with Mr. Virus (or maybe it's Ms. or Mrs.). No plans to move to Tennessee more to do with the fact that moving is a total PITA. With my luck I would go there and bring flu viruses from Kansas with me and infect their state.

Chubby Chatterbox said...

Mrs. Chatterbox has the flu even though she got her flu shot a few months ago. Of course she's had the flu before but what she's experiencing now is much milder than previous times. So the shot is proving to be a benefit. Now if only I can avoid catching it.

Cheryl P. said...

That is funny about the lolly. I am the same way about wiping things down but invariably little grandkids are full of germs. My little ones would scream if i ever tried taking a treat away. They really love sweets.

Cheryl P. said...

That was my reaction as well. My flu was so mild that is was hardly worth calling the flu. My husband got the flu right after we got the shots....I think the doctor's office said it takes 10-14 days for it to be fully effective. Timing is everything.


Hope Mrs. C. gets better quickly.

Aleta said...

I'm afraid my husband is coming down with a cold (hopefully not the flu)... I'm afraid to catch it, because when I get sick, it's bad, like infection, need three shots and four prescriptions bad.. and with being pregnant, I can't get medicines... yikes.. It's scary to think how the flu can travel so fast and wide!
http://www.fleurdealeta.blogspot.com

oldereyes said...

I may be the least germophobic person on the planet. I never use hand sanitizer, don't worry about germs on surfaces, etc. I did get my first flu shot ever at my doctor's urging (I believe he uttered the phrase, "at your age"). At the moment, I'm suffering with my first winter cold. Maybe I better change my ways.

lisleman said...

no shot here. I hoping the worst is over for this season. Does the flu ever do a walk-out before the season? I don't think anyone has gotten the flu through blogging.

Cheryl P. said...

I am pretty sure you are right about not catching the flu virus from fellow bloggers. The way this flu season is going I think those little viruses are putting in overtime.


Try to dodge them and stay well.

abeerfortheshower said...

I like to live on the wild side, so no flu shot for me. I have an incredible immune system. The last time I was sick was when I was 12. I kid you not.

Also, to the super flu, I say bring it on, suckah! I'm an unemployed writer who hasn't left the house in 5 days. This is like my fortress. I'd like to see you even try and get in here!

Cheryl P. said...

Very funny about the impenetrable fortress.



If avoiding the flu is living on the wild side...my life just got WWWAAAYY more exciting. I, too NEVER, EVER got sick until about the time I turned 50 (OMG that is old) and even then ...the sporadic cold is a 48 hour blip. NBD as I don't have to be anywhere, anytime soon. As a "not putting forth any kind of an effort at all" Realtor, I can pretty much limit my activities to breathing, eating and sleeping.


(oh..if my husband is reading this comment..I will try to put forth some effort to do laundry and such... but really...I SAID TRY)

meleahrebeccah said...

Aw…. I'm sorry you got slammed with the flu. My mom had it too. She was down for the count for 2 weeks. I avoided her like the plague. However, I still managed to end up with bronchitis.

LOLZ @ Moving to Guam to escape the flu.

----

Oh, I will NOT shop in any stores, including grocery stores. especially with this flu outbreak. In fact, my mom had the groceries delivered to our doorstep via Internet instead.

"we will just be wrapped in antibacterial wipes."

GOOD CALL!!

Cheryl P. said...

Your poor mom. My flu or whatever is was...was so mild it hardly mattered. Lasted a few days of just achiness and fatigue.


I would never think about whining about something so trivial to you as you are always dealing with real issues.



I never enjoy shopping anyway but I am especially trying to stay out of stores as much as I can.

meleahrebeccah said...

I loathe shopping too. It's such a nightmare!