Flu Jab - Why Should I?

I've completely changed what I was going to write about today because this seems to be a very hot topic - the Influenza/Flu jab! 

Now it's true that just having the flu jab does NOT protect you completely against getting the flu - I should know, because it happened to me this year!! In fact twice in my entire (reasonably long life) I have had THE flu. 

Proper flu........... not a heavy cold or a night on the beer (some of the excuses my staff have used!) but your proper eyeball hurting, muscle aching, shivering body, head pounding flu - that meant if someone had left a thousand pounds at my feet I'd have been unable to get out of bed, bend down and pick it up sort of flu. Add to that the pre-existing Asthma, then you've got a very sick person. 

Now I'm reasonably good about getting the jab every year, and there are a couple of reasons for that;

1 - I have a GP who nags me and has even been known to ask me in the street if I've had it

2 - I have a Husband who virtually makes the appointment for me if I prevaricate! 

Probably, left to me alone and not having a great Doctors practice and a reasonably good Husband (😀 I lie - he's fab!) I'd not bother........ that's the truth of the matter. Just because I sometimes can't be arsed to go to yet another medical appointment. I sometimes think I spend more times in medical centres and hospitals than some nurses! 😱

It has to be said that after this years episode where I ended up in hospital for ten days, 5 days of that in solitary confinement isolation with Influenza B I was totally in the 'Bollocks to it in future' state of mind. To say I was pissed off that I'd caught the flu doesn't come close to how I felt!! 

But in truthfulness I can't really understand why anyone in their right mind could ignore the warnings we're being given such as, the rates of flu are already higher this winter than they were at the same point during last years outbreak which was considered the WORST IN SEVEN YEARS! With experts warning it's only a matter of time before a pandemic of flu hits us. Good reason alone just in that sentence I'd have thought?? 

Most asthmatics know that if they get a cold or any virus it'll upset their Asthma, so it doesn't take a rocket scientist to tell you what getting the flu will do to it! 

Some of the reasons given by people are worry about the side effects and being sceptical about whether it even works. Well, clearly the flu jab can't work against every single strain, but surely it's better to be safe than sorry. As for side effects, apart from a sore arm some years I can't say I've noticed much if any.    

If you're still not sure or need advice have a look at Asthma UK's website or give them a ring, 

https://www.asthma.org.uk/advice/inhalers-medicines-treatments/other/flu-vaccinations/

So did I have it again this year, despite having been so ill earlier this year or did I stick to the 'bollocks to it' approach?? 

What do you think?????????? 

Anyway, away with you now and get it booked in if you've not already done so. 

#buggeroffasthma