Flu vaccine didn't stop me from getting influenza
(CBS) As a doctor, I knew immediately that I had real influenza, but seeing the nasal swab test positive really made me feel worse!
The symptoms of real flu are not subtle: I have a fever of 101.3, chills and severe body aches, including my head, chest and body. And, I have a wicked, deep cough. This was no cold.
I always take a flu vaccine and this year was no different. I took the LAIV mist, which is 85 percent effective at preventing flu in adults. I am in the unlucky 15 percent.
Getting the vaccine does make the flu less severe, which is good since I can't imagine feeling worse than I do now. I just started Tamiflu treatment. After consulting with an infectious disease expert, I also started my household on tamiflu prophylaxis. I have canceled my patients for the rest of the week. No patients, no CBS News, no triathlon training...no anything.
I am in isolation feeling incredibly ill. I hope no one else gets sick.