Every year, people die from the flu -- usually old folks and young kids -- without any media attention at all. This year, it's the same old folks and young kids. I think the media frenzy and subsequent fear-inspired vaccine shortage has more to do with the recent spate of average illnesses getting sensationalist coverage than any unusual severity this year. Influenza should always be taken seriously by groups of at-risk people. Almost every year the vaccine makers end up throwing out lots flu shots, I think they were as surprised as anyone that people have actually gone and gotten their shots this year!

People have repeatedly pointed out that media "epidemics" like West Nile Virus were no here near as deadly as the flu is each year. So I guess maybe some of those media groups decided they had might as well hype the flu, too!

Anyway, I had it a few weeks ago. It mostly made me very, very tired, but wasn't near as bad as some years seem to be.

And I agree, Kim. People who think they will get sick usually do.