I used to never get sick. Well, I should clarify – I used to never get colds or the flu. Don’t know why really, it just didn’t happen. Maybe a cold once a year, but not much more than that.
Which is why I really had no interest in getting a flu shot, especially not the H1N1 shot. I mean, why would I need it? Yes, I’m in a high-risk category now that I’m pregnant and yes I have someone other than myself to think about. And yes both the CPA and my OBGYN were pushing me to get it, but come on, just how important is it going to be? Besides, there isn’t a lot of research supporting the safety of these shots and I certainly didn’t want to be a guinea pig.
That’s what I was thinking last Sunday. By Tuesday, I was singing a different tune, however. It started with a very annoying cough. Nothing more than that really — I felt fine. I just had a loud, barking cough that was quite persistent. It was this cough that first made me think, hmm… perhaps I should look into this flu shot after all? So I headed to my local pharmacy and took one for the team.
Apparently, I didn’t get it done quickly enough though. By Wednesday afternoon I had a full blown cough and stuffy head and by Wednesday night, I was running a fever.
Now at this point, I was just plain mad. With everything in the news about the flu and H1N1, I have been extra diligent about keeping germs away. I wash my hands twice as often, I don’t touch door handles if I can help it, and I take my vitamins religiously. I got a flu shot for crying out loud and I never get flu shots! But somehow, somewhere, it got to me. Even with all of my precautions, I wasn’t immune.
Not only wasn’t I immune, but I was undeniably sick. So first thing Thursday morning, I dragged myself into the doctor’s office. There I was told that because a close relative had recently been diagnosed with Type A flu (the same as H1N1) and because I was exhibiting the same symptoms, I would be treated as if I had H1N1. As I listened to the nurse tell me all about the risks associated with H1, especially those for pregnant women, all hesitancies about getting the dreaded shot flew out the window. I rolled up my sleeve and said give it to me twice if you think it will help.
They didn’t, of course. One was all that was needed, which is good since they only had a very limited supply to offer (100 doses to be exact). I was more than happy to be one of the hundred. With a fever and chills and concerns about pneumonia bombarding me, I willingly took my shot like a good girl. I also took the Relenza that they prescribed me (the Tamiflu equivalent) and went on my way.
That was four days ago and it has taken me this long to feel somewhat human again. My husband has been with me the entire time, having caught it two days after I did. Picture both of us, shivering and coughing in the bed at all hours of the day or night. And if we were not there, we were sitting together in the family room watching old movies. As we near the end of this week-long illness, I can’t help but laugh at the discussions we previously had about getting those shots. There’s nothing like wondering if you’re going to last another day to change your mind and make you willing to try anything. Well, that and the idea that you’re fighting for the health of not only yourself, but your little one too.
So yes, when all was said and done, I took the H1N1 shot and I lived through being sick with the flu. And man, am I grateful to be on the other side of that!
Will you get the H1N1 shot when it’s offered? What about a regular flu shot?
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