Cheryl and Greg Silver were guests on my show to talk about a miracle that happened to them and the importance of getting a flu shot.

Greg was 52 when he almost died of the flu in February. What was diagnosed as mild pneumonia at Urgent Care was getting a little better a week later, but Greg was still feeling sick. It was the day after the Super Bowl when his heart was racing and he still was feeling out of sorts. He walked into Charlton Memorial Hospital at 9 a.m, and by 2:30 p.m., Greg was intubated – a medical procedure where a tube is inserted into the throat – and literally fighting to stay alive.

Diagnosed now with the flu, sepsis and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, they didn't think he'd make the night. It would be another three weeks and a transfer to Mass General Hospital's ICU on life support that Greg would begin to slowly inch back to well being.

All of Greg's family had the flu shot, except for Greg, who didn't like needles and avoided the flu shot. Greg, his wife Cheryl and his doctors are convinced by not getting the flu shot contributed to his near-death experience.

Today, Greg is a champion of getting the flu shot and isn't shy about sharing his story in the hopes of convincing people to get theirs, too. The Silvers' were very grateful to all the professionals at Southcoast Health for helping save Greg's life.

And as an added note, I hear a lot about the side effects of the flu shot. Please read up on the facts, because there are real side effects to not getting the flu shot that could be a killer.

Phil Paleologos is the host of The Phil Paleologos Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Contact him at phil@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @PhilPaleologos. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.

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