You don’t have to have a flu shot to have immunity, so who knows, maybe you just have an incredible immune system. Some years I get the flu shot, but most years I don’t (and I don’t anymore now because I have a possible immune system problem). At any rate, I have only had the flu a couple of times in my life anyway. I think I’m just fairly resistant. Or, perhaps you and I are both a bit more hygenic than the average person (wash our hands a lot, don’t touch things and then touch our face/mouth/nose, etc).
FWIW, when I was a kid we went overseas with the military, so I was full to the brim with vaccinations most people probably didn’t get.
You might be right, when co-workers have the flu I often feel it coming on for a day or so then it fades, I never get sick or cough or sneeze, just the initial flu like feeling as in “Oh no, here it comes” then nothing, so I think I am as immune as they are only without the shots (and all the mercury and Lord knows what else is in them). I’ve been exposed to the flu’s just as they have, no doubt about it.
That’s probably a better explanation Scythian. In my case, I rarely get sick too — maybe have to stay in for a couple of days every 5 years or so — but then I grew up as an Army brat and lived in Europe for 6 years from 1977-1983. It’s likely that you have a excellent immune system and that coupled with previous exposure gives you a big advantage.
My wife doesn’t have as strong an immune system, and she’s a teacher, so she works in a communicable disease factory. Every time something gets brought into the school, she gets part or all of the symptoms.
This year, there was flu, strep, common cold, and pneumonia going around between my office and her school. I managed to dodge all of those bullets.
You sound like you have a similar immune system. You also probably grew up playing outside and getting into dirt and grass and all things in the environment, so you’re exposed to more.
I think a lot of kids today who live in air-conditioned environments and don’t spend as much time outside getting scrapes and cuts haven’t developed as robust an immune system.
I remember riding bikes, playground swings, merry-go-rounds, jungle gyms made out of pipes, dirt and grassy areas, hiking in the woods, eating wild berries, getting pricked by thorns, poison ivy, dirt clod fights, etc. I think it toughens those who are exposed to it.