I am glad you have mentioned masks.
Since I'd had the flu with severe complications, and was in the ER way too often for supportive treatments, I have started to wear a mask when/where I can reasonably expect exposure to a respiratory virus, not just the flu.

My grandmother had started to do this on flights, many years ago.
I thought it wise of her, as she has an autoimmune condition and it makes sense to protect herself in reasonable ways.

I have been on prednisone a lot. I am on it more than not. When I go to any medical facility, any large store, etc, during cold/flu season, I wear a mask.

In Japan, I am told, people with a viral respiratory infection wear masks as a part of proper manners, a sense of responsibility toward others within their community, a sense of responsibility for contribution to overall public health.

I think it's a great policy, a wonderful social courtesy, responsible to everyone's health. Just my own humble opinion.

In most places, I am the only one wearing a mask. This fact does not bother me, as I know the potential consequences of my not using a mask.

Warmly,
DejaVu

Deja vu,

One of my former co-workers has been upset that on multiple planes recently she has been glared at by her fellow passengers. Why? Because she has something that is causing her to cough like she is about "to upchuck an elephant."

When I could carry a purse I also had two of those masks with me, just in case I came across someone like this. I think I am going to try to have a mask with me when I go out again.

I hope your friend finds the cause of such a severe cough and feels better soon. In the meantime, people would likely appreciate seeing her wear a mask. (Some people are highly offended at this suggestion, by the way.)

We cannot force others (those coughing) to wear a mask. We can decide to wear one for our own protection, if we so desire.

It's been interesting, as my using masks has started a trend in my household and a trend in my neighborhood. People have embraced this and feel like they, too, are interested in doing so.

We don't "overdo it." We use them with discretion.
One of my neighbors is on chemo and is at the hospital often. She has become more aware of her own susceptibility and is using a mask more often.
When she runs out of masks, she stops in to get a couple from me.

We can choose to protect ourselves without feeling odd, strange or apologetic.
Some cultures do this as a part of their everyday way of living.


DejaVu

LOL, the woman probably has the flu, based on what she told me. I still can't believe she was shocked that her fellow passengers were glaring at her. All that recycled air!

Btw I would never ask or suggest that another person wear a mask. I kept mine in my purse mostly for dust protection when I was working.

I am often on immune modulating or immune suppressing therapy. I do ask that people with active colds not come to my home until they recover. If someone stops in and they are coughing one of those coughs, and they also need to stay, they get a mask. And so do I. (I'll never forget those nights in the ER, struggling to breathe and the weeks of needing treatments via a nebulizer for weeks thereafter.)

Local hospitals and doctors offices offer masks at the entrances. There are signs with instructions to wear masks if certain conditions apply. There is some voluntary compliance. Some is better than none.

Back to the flu vaccine.

DejaVu

There are 2 different flu vaccines offered.
The first is the typical injection which contains a dead virus, therefore you cannot get sick (other than a reaction which some people do get). The other vaccine is intranasal which goes into your nose. The intranasal contains weakened virus and you can get the flu from this. That is why anyone one steroids or with a weakened immune system should get the injection.

When H1N1 was going around like crazy our infection control office offered the vaccine in both injection and nasal. Everyone who got the intranasal ended up with the flu. I was very grateful I chose the injection.

Also I agree with Littlepaw about the technique making a big difference when it comes to pain. You can try and nicely suggest this to whoever is giving you the injection, especially if you have skinny arms.

I agree with NurseKris, I have asked (in the past), for a nurse to please go easy on me when giving a shot, and have said the last time it was done, was incredibly painful/uncomfortable, even hours afterwards.

Some vaccines will do that no matter HOW nice the nurse is. Case in point in grade 9 up here we get Tetnus shots, they make your entire arm want to just fall off. The needle was not even the worst part ugh.

I find that if I relax my arm and let it go almost like jelly it also will present a more 'flabby' area, though I don't suggest not listening to the injector, if they need you to tighten up there's a valid reason to it. My last flu shot was done by a nice male nurse who pinched the injection site outwards, then as he put the bandaid on he rubbed the site with his warm palm and suggested I do this for a couple minutes to help the flu shot work in and prevent my arm from being sore. It worked quite well!

I got my flu shot this year and my left arm (non RSD arm), and not only did I get flulike symptoms for about 5 to 6 days, but it caused a moderate flareup body wide. That said, I do work in healthcare, and we get it for free every year and I definitely don't regret it. A few days of like symptoms and manageable flareup are worth it compared to the full-blown flu. I haven't gotten the pneumonia vaccine yet, but I have been contemplating it. I'll do my research on that one before I commit.

i got flu shot last year and did not have a problem with it. and i didn't get the flu either which was good. i didn't get the phenomia shot though but am thinking about getting that as well as the flu shot this year. (i'm late getting my flu shot this year and hope there are some left.) but everyone reacts differently to things like shots thought just like everyone reacts differently to rsd. just wanted to let you guys know my experience with the flu shot. hope we all are flu and phenomia free this winter.

Since I got so sick after the endo/colonscopy I did not get the flu shot. In one way I am grateful I delayed, because I might have wrongly attributed my symptoms to the shot.