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Add to FavoritesThe yearly debate about the influenza vaccine and its effectiveness has begun. A few public media figures are weighing in this year; unfortunately, they are unarmed with any facts to back up their accusations. Separating fact from fiction seems to be harder each year.
Influenza viruses cause repertory illnesses that are contagious. The late fall and winter seasons are usually when outbreaks of the flu occur. The most common symptoms include fever, muscle aches, the chills, sore throat, and coughing.
Roughly 36,000 people die yearly as a result of flu. Only about one thousand deaths are directly from the flue; the rest are a result of secondary illnesses, such as pneumonia. Most of these deaths could be prevented from a flu shot.
People strongly encouraged to get the flu shot are children, adults over fifty, pregnant women, health care workers or anyone with daily contact of those most susceptible, and people with pre-existing health conditions, such as COPD. These groups are more likely to succumb to severe bouts of the flu and the accompanying secondary illnesses. These people have priority when the shots become available.
Effectiveness of the flu shot vary depending on the category people are in... In older people and those with chronic illness, the injection helps to prevent hospitalization for both the flu and the secondary illness of pneumonia, and is very effective in preventing severe symptoms, secondary illnesses and related deaths.
The vaccine is a combination of several dead viruses. Included are one A virus, one B virus, and a form of the H1N1 virus not related to this year's H1N1. A separate vaccine is available for the new strain of H1N1.
The viruses that make up the flu shot are inactive, and it is not possible to contract the flu by getting injected with the serum. Possible side effects do exist; low grade fever, body aches, and swelling or redness around the area of the injection are the most commonly reported ones. These side effects should clear up in a few days.
All medications come with risks. The vaccine for flu is no more dangerous than any prescription one may take. Special risk factors include people allergic to eggs and those who contracted Guillain-Barr Syndrome after previous innoculation. People with a fever are encouraged to wait until they are better before getting the innoculation.
Any serious complications after a shot should be immediately reported to a medical professional. Your doctor or health professional has the ability to report the issues to the Vaccine Adverse Effects Reporting System at 1-800-822-7967.
In addition to getting the flu shot, other preventions to avoid spreading the viruses are encouraged by the CDC and health professionals. Use facial tissues when coughing or sneezing and throw them away immediately. Germs spread most easily through fluids from the eyes, nose, and mouth; wash your hands after touching them. People are encouraged to avoid contact with others when they have a fever, and to stay home at least 24 hours after that fever has abated.
Resources: www.CDC.gov and www.righthealth.com
Learn more about this author, J. McDole.
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No
The flu shot is not effective at all.
If there was only one type of flu, then yes, the shot might help; but there are many types and varieties of the flu. Proof of this is that people who had the shot still get the flu.
I understand that some vaccines are beneficial to our health, and I support those vaccines. Polio and smallpox are dangerous illnesses, but the flu - come on!
One of the reasons I am against the flu vaccine is that, if administered, the body never gets the chance to build up antibodies. If occasionally struck down with an illness, the body builds up antibodies to fight off future attacks. With the flu shot the body never gets that chance and its immune system will weaken.
Is it really that bad to get a dose of the flu? So you feel miserable for a couple of days. So what? Wise people often say "If you get the flu, you have a choice. You can fight it, or you can go to bed with it."
Whatever you do, do not fight it by overmedicating. It is a loosing battle. With the so called flu medication you might think you are getting better, but you are not. The flu will come back and this time with a vengeance.
Another bad idea is going to work with the flu. Not only are you endangering your fellow commuters, you are putting your colleagues at risk.
So take the day off. Take two or even three days off. Employers are more sympathetic toward a flu patient staying home, than what they are toward someone who, like a martyr, comes to work with a fever and coughs all over everyone.
The important thing is to rest. Get into bed and sleep; park yourself on the sofa and read; or watch television. Give in to the flu. The sooner you give in, the sooner you will get well.
To help you along, you might want to take some medication against pain and fever that actually work and that will ease some of the symptoms. Liquid intake is very important. Water, apple juice and orange juice are all excellent choices.
A cup of tea, laced with a spoon of honey, is also good. Not only is honey a natural antibiotic, honey is also beneficial for a sore throat.
Just as it is important for a child to suffer through the typical child illnesses in order to build-up their immunity system, so it is important for every healthy human being to occasionally get sick.
I have never had the flu shot and I never will. I've heard rumors that the authorities may try to make it mandatory, but I will fight this rule tooth and nail. My health is my own and no politician is going to mess with that.
Learn more about this author, Conny Manero.
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