I just wrote about the pandemic and the importance of wearing masks yesterday. Wearing a mask is a small thing we can do to stay healthy. This has been true since the pandemic started. But now, it’s even more important to stay healthy because we are starting to be in the flu season.
The flu is something most of us are pretty familiar with. I would guess most people have had the flu at some point. I have only gotten it a few times, but one of those times was really bad. I ended up in the ER because I was so sick. I got medication to help relieve my symptoms, but I remember being sick for a week or two after that. I had a high fever, lots of body shakes, dizziness, and labored breathing. This was years ago and I still remember how awful it is. And I wouldn’t want to get it again.
Besides not wanting to get the flu because of how bad it is, I don’t want to end up in the hospital if I get sick. I know we have been lucky in LA and that the hospitals haven’t been overwhelmed yet. But there is no guarantee that once the flu season is really here that they won’t run out of beds between COVID and flu patient. So it is really important to protect yourself from getting the flu.
Wearing a mask will help. So a mask is like a two for one protection! You can protect yourself from 2 viruses at once. I think that masks may end up being something more common in the future for the protections we get during the flu season. We won’t know until masks are common all the time, but it will be interesting to see what happens in the future.
But getting your flu shot is so important and something that everyone who can get one should do. I know there are some people who cannot have the flu shot due to various reasons, so of course, if you have been told you cannot get one, don’t do it. But most people can get a flu shot. Even if you hate shots, a lot of places offer the vaccine in a nasal mist. I’ve done both the shot and the mist in the past. So I know what both are like and they are both good options for different reasons.
The best time to get a flu shot is about now, so I made sure I went to the hospital to do it yesterday. My hospital has walk-in flu shots every day (there are drive-thru flu shots on Saturdays only). In some places, you have to make an appointment or you have to do drive-thru. So you should check with your hospital, medical center, or office where you typically get flu shots. There actually was no line when I went, but I think that was mainly due to me picking a random time on a Tuesday. The nurse who was at the vaccine station told me that they have been so busy every day, so I guess I was lucky.
I was offered both the shot and mist options, but I was reminded that the mist contains a live vaccine. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it can be something your body has to work with. You cannot get the flu from a live vaccine, but you can sometimes have symptoms that are similar to a mild cold. For the shot, you can sometimes have those symptoms too, but they aren’t as common for me. I usually only get the symptoms that are like a cold when I’ve had the mist one. So I decided to get the shot this time, even though I hate shots.
I warned the nurse about all my issues with needles and the things that help me not pass out. I’m glad I talked to her about it because I do better when I know when the shot will be happening. For many people, they do better when they are surprised. So making sure I won’t be surprised is important to me. I also like to warn nurses and medical staff about how my body reacts to shots so they don’t worry when they happen. I know sometimes it makes them nervous to hear what can happen to me, but it’s better to tell them so they aren’t unexpected.
Fortunately, I didn’t pass out completely this time. I did black out a bit, which is what seems to be happening more and more for me. Maybe I need to stop saying I might pass out and say that I used to pass out but typically don’t. When I black out, my body tenses up and I hold my breath. I know that can be scary to see happening, but this nurse was prepared for me to react that way so she wasn’t scared. I also got super pale and clammy when I got the shot, which I wasn’t expecting. But it was fine. I was only blacked out for maybe 10 seconds and my breathing was back to normal as soon as I could focus again. The nurse had me stay seated in the chair for a few minutes (we were outside and there was no line, so I felt ok doing that) so she could make sure I wouldn’t pass out. And then I was on my way back home.
I think because my body tenses up when I get shots, my arm tends to hurt a bit more than what most people feel. They always tell you not to tense any muscles when getting a shot and to stay loose and limp. I do that, but then my body takes over and my muscles are activated. So I’m guessing I feel the way that someone would feel if they were making a muscle when getting a shot. I’m writing this and it’s been about 26 hours since the vaccine and my arm still feels like it’s a really bad bruise and it’s a bit stiff. But it’s much better than it was the day I got it, so I expect that I’ll be feeling fine in a day or two.
But even with blacking out and the sore arm, I have no regrets about getting a flu shot. This is something I am doing not only to protect myself but to protect anyone else I might be around. I’ll be doing another full quarantine soon so I can see my family, and the flu shot will also make sure that I won’t be bringing the flu to them. I’m trying to do whatever I can to stay healthy and the flu shot is something simple that accomplishes that goal.
So just like I said yesterday, wear a mask. But also, get a flu shot!
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