I have had to stay at home these last 4 days due to contracing the flu,I was wondering if it is getting more common?
I am not the type to get this flu thing so maybe their is a new strain around,or maybe im getting paranoid??:hihi:

There are always new strains of flu around. We only really become immune against the 3 main strains, but lots of other strains develop from these main ones. Regardless of how good your immune system is, Flu will hit you art some point. Luckily most strains are little more than a bad cold. I think I've only been hit badly with flu a couple of times in my life. To the extent that it hurt to move and I was delirious with fever.

Yes I have been sweating like a pig and then ive gone the other way,maybe the goverment ought to let the population know if there is a new strain around?

I agree it is getting more common...Shanghai flu (or whichever ethnic variant you care to mention) only used to strike once every ten years - I remember a nasty instance in the early 90s that kept me off school for a few days.

Now though, a new instance occurs every few months. After one strain is barely over, another one arrives!

Who's to blame?

Many have suspected the military are secretly testing minute forms of chemical and biological agents on the unsuspecting public...our government wouldn't do that, surely :suspect:

I tell you this Abdul I wouldnt put anything past our beloved goverment,As for new strains I tend to agree with you about that.:thumbsup:

Originally posted by royjames
I have had to stay at home these last 4 days due to contracing the flu,I was wondering if it is getting more common?
I am not the type to get this flu thing so maybe their is a new strain around,or maybe im getting paranoid??:hihi:

royjames: DEFINATELY!!!! Weve had 3 off in our office in the last 2 months. I had it for 2 weeks and ended up with chest and ear infections as well.... its proberly the worst strain in a long time. Started with aching neck and shoulders, then shivers, then complete fatigue and subsequently sweats!!!! usually ending in a really horrid chest cough which is soooooo painful you try not to cough!!!!!


ANYONE GET AN INCKLING...... Get out the Echinechia (natural immune stimulant!!) and rest.

:gag: :gag: :gag:

Blimey that sounds just like the one I have,God I was hoping it would start to clear up not go on for 2 wks.
Lol well thats me cheared up NOT.

Originally posted by Andy78
Luckily most strains are little more than a bad cold.

If you get 'flu you really do know about it, there aren't any strains that are little more than a bad cold, it really is a bad cold. The majority of people who claim to have the 'flu actually do have a very bad cold (I won't say 'just' a very bad cold because it can still leave you feeling terrible). 'Flu is a killer to certain groups of the population, and even the fittest of people will find themselves unable to get out of bed.

I get the flu jab due to being an asthmatic! I haven't had the flu this year, I assume due to the jab! I normally get a spell aroud Christmas time and end up spending Christmas day in bed!

Originally posted by Hook
I get the flu jab due to being an asthmatic! I haven't had the flu this year, I assume due to the jab! I normally get a spell aroud Christmas time and end up spending Christmas day in bed!

I believe that the jab only builds immunity to the three standard strains of Flu. As flu constantly mutates it's impossible to inoculate against the most recent strains. Usually, the Flu Jab is only useful for the elderly or young children who may have a weakened immune system. Asthma may well weaken your immune system, but I don't really know about that one way or the other.

Originally posted by Twiglet
If you get 'flu you really do know about it, there aren't any strains that are little more than a bad cold, it really is a bad cold. The majority of people who claim to have the 'flu actually do have a very bad cold (I won't say 'just' a very bad cold because it can still leave you feeling terrible). 'Flu is a killer to certain groups of the population, and even the fittest of people will find themselves unable to get out of bed.

I do agree with that to be honest. However, flu symptoms do vary significantly from strain to strain. Some strains may cause a serious fever; some will cause nausea and aches. They're all quite different. Then once every now and then a really potent flu comes along that our immune systems just can't deal with. The Spanish flu of 1918 for example that killed something like 30 million people. Scary stuff!

Maybe we should all eat more of our bogies to keep ourselves healthy - see thread on "Disgusting Habits".

Originally posted by Andy78
I believe that the jab only builds immunity to the three standard strains of Flu. As flu constantly mutates it's impossible to inoculate against the most recent strains. Usually, the Flu Jab is only useful for the elderly or young children who may have a weakened immune system. Asthma may well weaken your immune system, but I don't really know about that one way or the other.
Scary stuff!

I think the main reason it's given to asthmatics, is that it can kill you! If you get the flu, it causes difficulties breathing, and can lead to hospital admission! I've been put in hospital a few times due to bad colds, the flu and other illnesses.

Originally posted by Hook
I think the main reason it's given to asthmatics, is that it can kill you! If you get the flu, it causes difficulties breathing, and can lead to hospital admission! I've been put in hospital a few times due to bad colds, the flu and other illnesses.

Yes, come to think of it that makes a lot of sense. :(

My partner had the flu jab and ended up feeling like she had the flu itself,she said she wont be having it again.

Originally posted by JonJParr
Maybe we should all eat more of our bogies to keep ourselves healthy - see thread on "Disgusting Habits".

Perhaps realy healthy people could sell their bogies ?

(what a vile thought)

Originally posted by nick2
Perhaps realy healthy people could sell their bogies ?

(what a vile thought)

There's a market for everything on ebay!

Originally posted by royjames
My partner had the flu jab and ended up feeling like she had the flu itself,she said she wont be having it again.

That's how inoculations work. Expose your system to a mild form of the virus, so that your body builds immunity to it and can deal with the virus next time it comes across it. She may have had some symptoms, but at least next time she comes across that form of flu it shouldn't affect her. Having said that, for a healthy person, natural exposure to Flu does the same thing. The jab is usually only recommended for people with weaker immune systems.

Personally I subscribe to the "handful of dirt in your diet" approach and allowing my immune system to handle various bugs in small doses...

Not... actual handfuls of dirt literally but I don't go around spraying everything with anti-bacterial stuff or being a complete clean freak like so many people nowadays...

Perhaps it won't stop flu but certainly when I get colds I don't find myself completely knocked for six when they crop up so it can't hurt too much.

Last year I had the Pun-Jab, it put me in a Korma - my Nan was really worried.

Usually the bog standerd flu kills 13000 people a year. These however are more the vunrable people, a healthy imune system should beat the flu. I am off with a chest infection that evolved from a cold week.

Originally posted by Don_Kiddick
Last year I had the Pun-Jab, it put me in a Korma - my Nan was really worried.

I had that n all...........spent 3 days vindaloo. :D

Originally posted by the_rudeboy
I had that n all...........spent 3 days vindaloo. :D

Bet your Madras was sore afterwards :hihi:

Originally posted by Abdul
Bet your Madras was sore afterwards :hihi:

Had to sit on a pilau. ........:D

Did you curry favour with the nursing staff?:hihi:

Originally posted by Don_Kiddick
Last year I had the Pun-Jab, it put me in a Korma - my Nan was really worried. thats what you get for trying to curry favour with the medics, NEVER trust any one who offers to give you a little prxxk

Originally posted by depoix
NEVER trust any one who offers to give you a little prxxk [/B]

I bet Kirky's wife's mother said that :P

Are you thinking Flue bug, that's something completely different! :gag:

i pity the foo thats scared of a lil chicken flu