On average, how often do you get the full blown flu?

[Shiny]

I did a google search and couldn't find the answer to this, but I'd like to know how often (in years) do you get the full blown (bedridden, knocked down, and not being able to go to work) flu? I thought it was something like every 5 years on average, but I can't find that data. Anyone know?

I'm not talking about colds or sniffles that are bearable, but don't cause you to be out of work from 3 days to a week.

 

[MrGoodBytes]

Really? I'm struck at least twice a year.

 

[ter1413]

Originally Posted by MrGoodBytes

Really? I'm struck at least twice a year.

+1. Usually lasts 3-4 days for me...

 

[sho'nuff]

ive had colds and so forth but nothing that would knock me out for 3 days or so. i dont think i ever gotten one in my entire life.

i do get the occasional flu where i am sick and cant even get up due to body aches and so forth that knocks me out for a day. but that is like only once every 2 years or so i would think.

my body is pretty strong and resilient. and ive done some tough things too like being out in the rain all day and swimming in icy lakes or sweating working digging in a ditch while raining (church projects)

 

[Tangfastic]

About once every 3 years for me.

 

[Cary Grant]

For those of you who say you are getting it more than once a year, is it diagnosed as the flu?

I get the knock down kind maybe once every few years.

 

[MetroStyles]

Once a decade, maybe less.

 

[rjmaiorano]

Once in my life, so far.

 

[Bang Dat-Ho]

Using the If-you-had-the-flu-you'd-know-it rule of thumb, I can't remember ever getting the flu.

Every four years or so, I do get colds that that last a week, but they don't feature vomiting, diarrhea or body aches that usually accompany a flu. Maybe they're weak flus?

 

[Rolf]

Same as the guy above. I'm barely ever sick.

 

[nerdykarim]

once every 2-3 years.

 

[ter1413]

Originally Posted by Cary Grant

For those of you who say you are getting it more than once a year, is it diagnosed as the flu?

I get the knock down kind maybe once every few years.

nope. not diagnosed. just feel real bad for a few days. usually only stay home from work one day.

 

[philipp]

Once in 18 years.

 

[imschatz]

24 years old .. zero flu's.

 

[Gibonius]

Every five or six years seems like, but I've been good about getting the vaccine recently so that would bias the sample. Lots of "flu" cases aren't really influenza anyway, I've gotten the "stomach flu" several times but that's a totally different disease.