General Discussion

Aussie105

(7,654 posts)

99. The flu virus is a shape shifter.

Tue Jan 6, 2026, 10:00 AM

Tuesday

Most viruses are.
It is the secret behind their success, being able to develop mutations that make them more potent.

The more people exist that aren't vaccinated, the bigger the reservoir of breeding grounds for the next super flu virus to evolve into a deadly form that kills off millions around the world.

A lesson from history.

Get vaccinated!

It's the middle of Summer here in Australia.
March is the start of the flu season.
We get vaccinated in March every year.
It is a special shot for us oldies, a cocktail of vaccines against every known strain.
Hopefully, fully up to date.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

1 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

SheltieLover

131 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

So, a friend of my grandson's died with the flu [View all] SheltieLover Monday OP

I thought I read somewhere that the vax for the flu does not affect this flu? Have you read this?? nt in2herbs Monday #1

It's also being said that the current vaccinations reduce the severity of the so-called super flu. n/t Hugin Monday #3

That sort of makes sense, I guess. SheltieLover Monday #8

I think it has me JustAnotherGen Monday #41

Aw, I am sorry you have something. Hugin Monday #46

My husband JustAnotherGen Monday #71

"I Don't think our Government is telling us the truth." wolfie001 Tuesday #95

This is what I have heard Lithos Tuesday #114

Thanks for filling out the gist. Hugin Tuesday #118

Good to hear! ShazzieB Tuesday #124

My Wife had the flu Seinan Sensei Tuesday #117

Anecdotal yet intriguing... Hugin Tuesday #119

It is sabbat hunter Monday #5

Ty for sharing. SheltieLover Monday #9

Yup, but then the article said to get the vax anyway. SheltieLover Monday #6

You are correct. This year's vaccination does not protect against the strain A superflu going around. Ms. Toad Monday #17

Thank you. The flu vaccines have always looked in the rear view mirror (they're aimed at last year's strain). TheRickles Monday #24

Sorta-kinda. Ms. Toad Monday #34

Sorry about your daughter's health. TY for clarification. nt in2herbs Monday #72

Thanks. Ms. Toad Monday #73

I'd rather take my chances with the vaccine than without the vaccine Random Boomer Tuesday #130

I've had the flu twice in the last quarter century. Ms. Toad Tuesday #131

I caught the flu one year when the strain differed from that which I was vaccinated... C Moon Tuesday #126

I'm on day four of something yucky Unwind Your Mind Monday #2

Healing vibes on the way to you. SheltieLover Monday #10

I'm so sorry about your grandsons friend nt Unwind Your Mind Tuesday #104

Ty SheltieLover Tuesday #107

I hope it passes quickly. Healing thoughts coming your way. LoisB Monday #65

I'm sorry for the loss of your GS's friend, sad 😢 Clouds Passing Monday #4

Ty, Clouds. SheltieLover Monday #11

Yikes! That age group usually has the lowest risk! surfered Monday #7

I know! And articles are saying this flu is killing more old people. SheltieLover Monday #12

They have to decide each year which strain of flu to develop a vaccine for. surfered Monday #91

Thx SheltieLover Monday #92

The "Spanish" flu disproportionately killed younger people Easterncedar Monday #13

I was just going to add that Sanity Claws Monday #18

My father lost two siblings to the "Spanish" flu. They were 7 and 9. Ritabert Monday #29

My father lost a toddler brother Easterncedar Monday #37

Mother Nature trying every day to bring us back into the ground wolfie001 Tuesday #96

The Great Influenza killed the young and strong, it was part of Maru Kitteh Monday #28

Here's a nice documentary that describes the influenza pandemic of 1918 . . . xocetaceans Monday #45

My dad was born in 1917. That's a mistake I've made for years, but yes, Maru Kitteh Monday #64

My father was born in 1916. His father died of the Spanish flu in 1918. He was in his 30's. mommymarine2003 Monday #70

The relentlessness of disease, deprivation, war and death in Maru Kitteh Monday #74

They were " killed" by their own immune system overreacting Melon Monday #76

I had Influenza A about 6 months before Covid started and w/out being dramatic, I had never been so sick before that Deuxcents Monday #14

Ty. SheltieLover Monday #19

Too sad malaise Monday #15

Influencer Paul Kim's Son, 5, Dies After Contracting Severe Case of the Flu The Catholic content creator first shared th BlueWaveNeverEnd Monday #16

How heartbreaking. SheltieLover Monday #20

Small sample size but this flu seems to be hitting the young BlueWaveNeverEnd Monday #40

Terrifying SheltieLover Monday #43

I'm so sorry mzmolly Monday #21

Ty, Mzmolly SheltieLover Monday #23

My condolences! 2naSalit Monday #22

He was 49 & unvaxed. SheltieLover Monday #25

I'm so sorry! The flu is more serious than many of us realize. nt spooky3 Monday #26

Ty. His relatives called it the super flu SheltieLover Monday #27

FWIW, I heard on the radio today that there is a bad strain going around that was NOT spooky3 Monday #30

You don't have to live in fear. Just get vaccinated and wear a mask! Fil1957 Monday #31

I have been vaccinated. I still wear a mask when I am "out and about." MLWR Monday #32

Make sure you're washing your hands after touching anything frequently touched by others. Ms. Toad Monday #36

I think I read somewhere Dr. Oz was telling not to get vaxxed for the flu. applegrove Monday #33

I am sorry... I can scarcely speak to the devastation of public health messaging and policies hlthe2b Monday #35

Ty! SheltieLover Monday #44

Where? IbogaProject Monday #38

SW TN SheltieLover Monday #47

Washington state and others IbogaProject Monday #66

I have it now JustAnotherGen Monday #39

Healing vibes on the way to you. SheltieLover Monday #48

Here's another tip straight from richdj25 Monday #42

What kind of otc meds? SheltieLover Monday #49

It's time to start wearing masks. We've been ready for this: hoping for the best and prepared for the worst. marble falls Monday #50

I would if I ever left the house SheltieLover Monday #51

We all gotta do what we gotta do. We seem to be on our own. marble falls Monday #52

Yup. SheltieLover Monday #53

It's pretty rough this year Sympthsical Monday #54

Yikes. Sounds scary! SheltieLover Monday #56

Typically it's just a few days Sympthsical Monday #63

I'm So Sorry, Sheltie... That's so Cha Monday #55

Mahalo, Cha SheltieLover Monday #57

Sad and important. I know the retirement bronxiteforever Monday #58

Good for them! SheltieLover Monday #59

You stay safe too SheltieLover. bronxiteforever Monday #60

I never leave my house, so I'm ok SheltieLover Monday #61

Be careful HighFired49 Tuesday #115

I am. SheltieLover Tuesday #116

I am so sorry Sheltie. irisblue Monday #62

Ty, Iris SheltieLover Monday #68

How sad. My sympathies to his family and friends and your grandson. LoisB Monday #67

Ty, Lois SheltieLover Monday #69

I recall a really bad flu strain 12 or more years ago that hit teens and young adults particularly hard Attilatheblond Monday #75

Yes. I read that the phenomenon occurred in the influenza pandemic of 1918-1920. John1956PA Monday #77

And with COVID as well SheltieLover Monday #79

Yep. As someone with an autoimmune disorder, I can vouch for the fact that our bodies can & do turn against us. Attilatheblond Monday #83

Oh I know they can SheltieLover Monday #85

Thank you, Sheltie, for that bit of information. John1956PA Monday #87

Omg how sad SheltieLover Monday #88

I believe COVID caused a cytokine in the wordt cases, too SheltieLover Monday #78

I was one of the unlucky few who caught that one. Hugin Monday #86

FluView https://www.cdc.gov/fluview/surveillance/2025-week-52.html Blues Heron Monday #80

Ty for sharing. SheltieLover Monday #82

That poor family, and this must have shaken you Sheltie. Maru Kitteh Monday #81

Ty, Maru SheltieLover Monday #84

I think my husband picked it up at a hockey tournament. EllieBC Monday #89

I hope he is ok now. SheltieLover Monday #90

I'm really sorry EllieBC Tuesday #93

Ty SheltieLover Tuesday #94

Here's the article surfered Tuesday #97

Ty! SheltieLover Tuesday #98

The flu virus is a shape shifter. Aussie105 Tuesday #99

Yup SheltieLover Tuesday #100

Take care and make sure you have your vaccinations up to date LetMyPeopleVote Tuesday #101

Ty. You too. SheltieLover Tuesday #102

I got my flu shot back in September and my latest COVID shot 9 days ago LetMyPeopleVote Tuesday #103

That's awful! LittleGirl Tuesday #105

Glad you & hubby are ok. SheltieLover Tuesday #106

Absolutely right -- it's never TOO late to vax, but it's always best to vax early Rocknation Tuesday #108

Ty SheltieLover Tuesday #110

There was a 16 y.o. girl that died of the flu here in the Dayton, Ohio area. Xavier Breath Tuesday #109

Is that the 16 yr old that had a fever one day & died the next day? SheltieLover Tuesday #111

My impression from the interview was that she was healthy and that it happened rather quickly. Xavier Breath Tuesday #112

Ty. Deceased's family members told me of a similar story. SheltieLover Tuesday #113

Here is a wonderful resource that can be trusted: barbtries Tuesday #120

Thx SheltieLover Tuesday #122

I made sure my 22 year old was vaccinated for flu and covid. None of his friends are. SunSeeker Tuesday #121

Glad your kiddo is vaxed! SheltieLover Tuesday #123

Yes, take all preventive measures! However, if you DO get the flu... Wednesdays Tuesday #125

Ty for sharing! SheltieLover Tuesday #127

As it happens... momta Tuesday #128

Glad you're vaxed up! SheltieLover Tuesday #129