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| Image Courtesy of CDC |
To get a flu shot or not to get a flu shot,
that is the question
This following post is for those people who are on the
fence regarding the flu vaccine.
The flu can be serious, especially
among children, the elderly, and people with certain chronic health conditions
(i.e. asthma, cancer, heart disease or diabetes to name a few). 185 children passed away in the 2017-2018 flu season. Approximately 80% of these deaths occurred in children who had not
received a flu vaccination this season. Not to forget us adults, but those who were
65 years and older account for more than half (~58%) of the reported
influenza-associated hospitalizations.
There are so many arguments to
get the flu vaccine. I will name a few:
- Flu vaccination can keep you from getting sick with flu. The Flu vaccine reduces the likelihood of having to go to the doctor with flu by 40 to 60%.
- Flu vaccination can reduce the risk of hospitalization for children, adults, and the elderly from the flu.
- Flu vaccination has been associated with lower rates of cardiac problems among people with heart disease.
- Flu vaccine help pregnant women and after they deliver. Which also protect their newborns.
The flu shot does not give you the flu. Low-grade fever, headache and
muscle aches may occur, but that is not the flu. Studies have been done where some people got either the flu shot or a saline shot. Surprise! surprise! There were no differences in terms of body aches, fever,
cough, runny nose or sore throat. So even getting a salt-water shot can give
you fever.
There are several reasons why
someone might get flu symptoms, even after they have been vaccinated against
flu.
- Some people can become ill from other respiratory viruses besides the flu. The flu vaccine only protects against influenza, not other illnesses.
- It is possible to be exposed to the flu, shortly before getting vaccinated or 2-weeks after getting the vaccine.
- The influenza virus is different every season. The ability of the vaccine to protect you depends largely on the likeness between the flu shot and the flu causing the illness.
All in all, the flu vaccine
saves lives. Has very little side effects. It is crucial for children, adults,
and the elderly to get vaccinated. Flu is preventable!
