Flu Shot Info: Widespread Questions Concerning the Vaccine
I’m planning to get the flu shot for myself. I’ve heard I must also have my daughter vaccinated towards the flu, however I’m anxious. I’ve heard so many conflicting issues: that the shot can truly give her the flu and that she may get the flu anyway. So why trouble? I need to defend her and do the precise factor — I simply don’t know what that’s!
There are numerous theories and misconceptions on the market about flu pictures, together with those you talked about. Let’s deal with a few of the huge ones with data from the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention:
Can a flu shot provide the flu?
No, a flu shot can’t trigger flu sickness. The influenza viruses contained in a flu shot are inactivated (killed), which implies they can not trigger an infection. Flu vaccine producers kill the viruses used within the vaccine in the course of the course of of creating it, and batches of the flu vaccine are examined to ensure they’re secure. In randomized, blinded research, the place some folks get flu pictures and others get salt water pictures, the one variations in signs was elevated soreness within the arm and redness on the injection web site amongst individuals who received the flu shot. There have been no variations by way of physique aches, fever, cough, runny nostril or sore throat.
Is it higher to get the flu than the flu vaccine?
No. The flu is a critical illness, notably amongst younger kids, older adults and other people with sure power well being situations, equivalent to bronchial asthma, coronary heart illness or diabetes. Any flu an infection can carry a danger of significant problems, hospitalization or dying, even amongst in any other case wholesome kids and adults. Due to this fact, getting vaccinated is a safer alternative than risking sickness to acquire immune safety.
What about individuals who get a seasonal flu vaccine and nonetheless get sick with flu-like signs?
Some folks could expertise flu like signs regardless of getting vaccinated as a result of they could have been uncovered to an influenza virus that may be very completely different from the viruses the vaccine is designed to guard towards. The flexibility of a flu vaccine to guard an individual relies upon largely on the similarity or “match” between the viruses chosen to make the vaccine and people spreading and inflicting sickness. There are numerous completely different influenza viruses.
Is it too late to get vaccinated after Thanksgiving (or the top of November)?
No. Vaccination can nonetheless be helpful so long as influenza viruses are circulating. The CDC recommends that suppliers start to supply influenza vaccinations as quickly as vaccines change into accessible within the fall, however when you’ve got not been vaccinated by Thanksgiving (or the top of November), it will possibly nonetheless be protecting to get vaccinated in December or later. Influenza is unpredictable and seasons can fluctuate. Seasonal influenza illness often peaks in January or February in most years, however illness can happen as late as Might.
Is the “abdomen flu” actually the flu?
No. Many individuals use the time period “abdomen flu” to explain sicknesses with nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. These signs may be attributable to many alternative viruses, micro organism and even parasites. Whereas vomiting, diarrhea, and being nauseous or “sick to your abdomen” can generally be associated to the flu — extra generally in kids than adults — these issues are hardly ever the principle signs of influenza. The flu is a respiratory illness and never a abdomen or intestinal illness.
Pramod Narula, M.D .is the Chairman of the Division of Pediatrics at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital.