H1N1 Shot: How Do I Decide Whether to Get the Virus Shot?

Flu season is upon us as it is every year, but this year deserves some extra attention. H1N1 flu is different from other seasonal flu viruses and has caught my attention for a few reasons. I've always heard of the elderly needing to get flu shots as well as those who have compromised immune systems. The H1N1 virus or swine flu as some call it is attacking young healthy individuals and unfortunately killing them in many instances.

Like I said this virus has caught my attention because I never heard of a flu virus that has targeted young healthy people. I've had the flu before, the most serious being some 10 years ago when I lived in Puerto Rico. I don't usually get a flu shot but thought I should back then, but low and behold I get the flu with a vengeance. It was bad because I had no energy at all and no appetitite and therefore lost weight. All I wanted to do was lay in bed.

So, for the first time in a decade I was thinking of getting a flu shot even though the memories of 10 years ago still haunt me. Just recently I decided it isn't worth it. I'm in my early 50's and pretty healthy plus I'm working from home so I'm not exposed as much to people who may have the flu, and of course I'm washing my hands continuously to keep germs away. I work out at the gym, take supplemental health boosters like ginseng and green tea plus I don't smoke cigarettes.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has statistics showing the age group breakdown percentage for people needing to be hospitalized after contracting the H1N1 flu virus. Every age group from infants to the elderly has been affected. Here is the breakdown by age group.

According to the CDC the largest percentage age group needing to be hospitalized after getting the H1N1 virus was 5-18yr olds by 26%. Next was 25-49 yr olds at 24%, 0-4yr olds were at 19%, 50-64 yr olds at 15%, 19-24yr olds at 9%, and finally 65 and older at 7%. If I were in a higher percentage group I would get the vaccination, but since I'm not I will ride it out without the vaccine shot.