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Forum Name: Viral Infections

Question: Flu immunity?

redbanshee - Sun Jan 14, 2007 4:10 pm

I am a 49 y/o nurse. I take no medications and past surgeries and family history doesn't really pertain to my question....... Every year the flu hits the facilities I work at and whloe units become quarentined yet I never get the flu. Oh, I'm not complaining!!! But I find it odd that without even a flu shot every year I still don't catch the nasty bug. Oh, I did have the "body flu" once in 1992. I remember this because as I lay recovering on my couch, my two year old swung her baby doll like a bat and hit me square in the face. My daughter is the same way. Once in awhile we will get what I call the stomach flu. Nausea,Vomiting and Diarrhea that lasts no longer than 24 hours. Could we be immune somehow? Doesn't seem possible but what other reason could there be?

Dr. Chan Lowe - Mon Jan 15, 2007 10:02 pm

It is quite possible that you are fortunate enough to have your antibody memory cells making an antibody that protects you from influenza infections. Often people who work around viruses a lot end up with lots of immunity built up. The aim of the flu shot is to make the body create antibodies against the influenza virus to protect against infection. Generally, the flu virus is a little different each year, necessitating a flu shot every year. If you happen to have an antibody floating around that binds to the influenza virus, you may receive some protection against infection even without the flu shot. While this doesn't guarantee against infection, it certainly doesn't hurt. Hope this helps.

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