Comments on: The Quick 10: 10 Flu Facts

By: Sara

Sara — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 20:23:00 +0000

You’re right, Marty!

By: Marty

Marty — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 18:42:00 +0000

So are you wanting to die because of the sickness or because you have to watch bad daytime T.V. I can see it both ways. :)

By: Betsy

Betsy — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 17:41:00 +0000

Coincidentally, I got my very first flu shot ever this morning before reading this, and it was the most painless shot I have ever gotten. I was actually glad that my doctor, who I know and trust, gave it to me, because if it was anyone else I would have thought they didn’t administer it correctly.

So don’t let that ouch factor stop you -as someone once said, “Piece of pie; easy as cake!”

By: Orange

Orange — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 17:01:00 +0000

Chelsea just had be blowing out at my desk and feeling my muscles for a few minutes…

I think everyone around me thinks I’m crazy now. :)

Recaptcha toast–To ceremonies!

By: Bethy

Bethy — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:53:00 +0000

Is anyone else a bit freaked out by the thought of scientists digging up potentially ‘preserved’ Spanish flu? I’m getting a flashback of the opening scene of that Stephen King miniseries with the Moody Blues “Don’t Fear the Reaper” in the background….

By: Chelsea (a different one)

Chelsea (a different one) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:27:00 +0000

I’m organizing the flu shot clinic for my office, and I came across a nice piece of advice from a nurse in Colorado. If you’re afraid of getting the shot because of the needle-ouch factor, here’s a trick: just before the shot, blow out through your mouth as though you were blowing bubbles in your drink through a straw. It’s almost impossible to unconsciously tense your muscles while blowing out, and relaxed muscles minimize the pain of the shot. I’m getting my first flu shot tomorrow and I am SO trying this.

By: jld

jld — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:55:00 +0000

kat- you’re correct about viruses being non-living, but it’s because they can’t reproduce on their own (they have to hijack other cells to do so), not because they lack DNA. Some viruses have DNA (such as the herpes viruses), while the rest have RNA (such as influenza). You have the right idea, and I’m not trying to be condescending. Just don’t want the Kleenex Corp.’s confusion to spread.

By: Valerie

Valerie — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 10:22:00 +0000

Cheap shot at D Rumsfeld. You think everyone who owns stock in pharmaceutics does so because of some desire to see people get sick? Come on. Conspiracy theories are just that, theories. Rarely ever proven to be true because they aren’t true.

By: kat

kat — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 05:44:00 +0000

thanks for the comment adimiral byrd :)

technically, #1 is incorrect simply because a virus is a non-living thing. they don’t have dna and are therefore, not alive. which is why i freaking hate that kleenex commercial where they say they kill 99.9% of viruses. you can’t kill something which has never lived!!

By: Dawn

Dawn — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 04:53:00 +0000

Your post is about two weeks late for me! I had just commented to my husband that we had made it through the (NZ) winter without getting sick this year, when I came down with the flu. I should know better than to jinx myself like that!

Fortunately, it’s easy to get a Dr. appt here, and I saw my doctor right away. No mention of anti-virals, though; just bed-rest and fluids. And lots of Mental Floss reading!