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In the winter of 1918, one of the worse flu epidemic broke out in the United States and quickly spread worldwide. Over 500 million people were affected with close to 50 million reported deaths. In an attempt to protect American citizens from dying from this deadly illness, the first flu vaccine (flu shot) was introduced in 1944. Today, millions of Americans receive a flu shot, although they may not know how the flu shot works.

So, how does the flu shot work to protect us from the flu? Before explaining this process, let's review how the flu affects the human body.

The flu, short for influenza, is an infection caused by a flu virus, a non- living organism that can only survive and reproduce by entering the body of another living organism . When humans become infected, the immune system produces antibodies based on the specific flu virus. Each time a new strain of the flu enters the body, new antibodies must be produced. This process does not happen immediately and the flu virus can spread rapidly causing serious complications and even death.

Every year, scientists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).reviews the flu viruses that appeared during the previous flu season, from November to March. During their review, they attempt to predict what flu strains will appear in the next flu season.

They re -created these new strains in the laboratory and then inactivate (kill) these flu strain to prevent them from spreading. These inactivated flu viruses are part of the formula for the upcoming flu shots. Two other ingredients added to the flu vaccine are eggs and thimerodal - a preservatives. Preservatives are added to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi.

When you receive a flu shot, some of the inactivated flu viruses are absorbed by the body. Our natural defense system, the immune system, immediately recognizes the present of the inactivated flu viruses. Although, these flu viruses have been inactivated, our immune system does not realize this. It only knows, the body has been invaded and needs help. The immune system will scan the flu virus and produce the correct antibodies to fight the infection.

It may take the body 2 to 4 weeks to produce antibodies to fight the flu. In the meantime, you can develop the flu. This usually happens when a person is unaware they have been infected. Flu viruses constantly change with new strains appearing every winter Getting a flu shot will not protect you from these newer strains. Since the flu shot was introduced in 1944, there have been fewer deaths from this illness. Scientists have been able to predict the flu strains that will appear during the next flu season. Getting a flu shot can protect you from getting the flu if it contains the current flu virus for the season. However, you can still develop the flu if you are already infected or get infected by a newer strain. The flu shot may not be appropriate for everyone especially if you have eggs or preservative allergies. If you decide to get a flu shot, get it before the start of the flu season. At least, you will be protected if the scientists predicted the correct flu strains for the year.

Learn more about this author, Rene Michael Browne.
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