Flu shots

Options
littletower
littletower Member Posts: 333
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

Onc says yes to a flu shot. Here's my dilemma...have to go to DC for work next week. Do I do it before and risk a bad reaction or after and risk getting infected while doing the "meet & greet" (I'm a lobbyist)? Opinions? Who has had the shot and had a bad reaction?

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • susand
    susand Member Posts: 226
    edited November 2010

    I had the flu shot and had no reaction except a sore arm for two days.  I think it takes 10 days to become effective but I would take a little protection over none.  Dont forget your purell!  Have a great trip whatever you decide!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • SpunkyGirl
    SpunkyGirl Member Posts: 1,568
    edited November 2010

    You aren't increasing your risk of getting or transmitting an infection.  I can't remember the last year that I missed getting a flu shot and I've never gotten sick from it (knock on wood).  Get that shot, girlfriend!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BonnieK
    BonnieK Member Posts: 655
    edited November 2010

    I had a flu shot last week and absolutely no reaction -- not even a sore arm.  Go for it!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • jenn3
    jenn3 Member Posts: 3,316
    edited November 2010

    I got the flu shot last year while I was on chemo - no reaction.  Get the shot and be sure to wash your hands regularly while at the meet and greet.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • deenah
    deenah Member Posts: 178
    edited November 2010

    I had the same question as you and got the flu shot a week before I traveled by air.  Unfortunately, my doctor said it wouldn't be effective for closer to 2 weeks after injection.  I still got it before my trip and didn't have any bad effects from it.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AnacortesGirl
    AnacortesGirl Member Posts: 1,758
    edited November 2010

    Got mine on Tuesday and nothing.  Not even a sore arm.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited November 2010
    my pcp insisted that I get my flu shot before I left for Israel....and I was sick the day I saw her, but I was leaving 3 days later....no reaction to the shot....she even had me get the pneumonia shot a couple years ago (its a 10 year shot...ans ususally only given to senior citizens or those "at-risk).....since I came home from Israel with "montezuema" revenge, she now wants me to travel with cipro!!!!  Geeze, before BC, never needed all this!!!  BC, the gift that keeps on giving!!
     
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Annie62
    Annie62 Member Posts: 1,081
    edited November 2010

    Got a flu shot 2 weeks ago. Only SE was mild stiffness in arm on the 2nd day.  I say, get your shot before you go.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited November 2010

    I got my flu shot right before my they gave me my 2nd chemo tx. I had no SE. I was just a little tender where they gave me the shot and that was only if you touched it. This was the first flu shot I ever got too.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories