Yes, it's almost flu season again. That means it's the season when many people will start spreading various myths, inaccuracies, untrue stories, and other nonsense about the flu shot and why they don't get it. I don't care that much- people are free to skip out on getting flu shots if they want to. I just want you to know the facts about it, so that you can make an INTELLIGENT choice as to whether or not you want the flu shot. I'll give you the facts via a format I like, the common "Frequently Asked Questions" or FAQs.
THE FLU SHOT: FAQs
Q: Can the flu shot give you the flu?
A: NO. The flu shot is a dead, killed, completely inactive virus. You cannot get an actual flu from the flu shot, even if your immune system is weak or nonexistent. There ARE some live flu vaccines that are given as a nasal spray, but I don't trust these; they haven't been around long enough. They can't give you the flu either if your immune system is normal. Your doctor probably has the good 'ol flu shot for you anyway.
Q: I got the flu and it was just like a bad cold, and I got over it. Why bother getting a shot to prevent this?
A: You didn't have the flu. You had a bad cold. Did you have shaking chills, a fever over 102, severe diarrhea, and body aches that were so bad you couldn't get off the couch for almost 2 weeks? I didn't think so. You had a cold. Stop telling people you had the flu. If you had the flu you'd be begging for the flu shot this year.
Q: Does the flu shot make you feel sick afterwards?
A: Sometimes. It may give you a low-grade fever, MILD body aches, fatigue, and nausea for 1 (one) day. If it gave you these symptoms for longer than that, you either had a cold coming your way already, or you are a hypochondriac (see earlier post about hypochondriasis).
Q: Can't the flu shot give my child autism?
A: No. This question has been addressed in studies that are some of the largest clinical trials in medical history, and time and again, it's been shown that there is NO provable link between ANY vaccine given to children, and autism. But there are much bigger, fancier blogs and web sites than mine that will tell you the opposite. I go with the science, and I believe the scientific studies on this issue (which, by the way, are NOT funded by the drug companies) are conclusive.
The flu shot is safe for kids, and kids don't like having the flu.
Q: Who should get the flu shot?
A: Everyone. I'd say everyone "should" get the flu shot, but I don't push the issue in young, healthy people. Why? Because the flu sucks, but it won't kill those people. I do push the issue in some patients (see next question).
Q: Who REALLY SHOULD get the flu shot?
A: Senior citizens (people over 65), people with diabetes, people with lung diseases such as emphysema or pulmonary fibrosis, people with cancer, heavy smokers, people with heart failure and other chronic heart conditions, and young children (under 5 is "young" in my book but ask your pediatrician since I don't treat kids). Why is it so important? Because for these folks, the flu is a life-threatening illness.
Q: Does the flu shot protect you from the dreaded "bird flu?"
A: No. Unfortunately, modern medicine has absolutely nothing that can prevent or cure the "bird flu." Your best bet is still to avoid frolicking in Asian live poultry markets.
Q: I've heard that the flu vaccine doesn't protect you from all normal flu viruses. Is this true?
A: Yes. Flu viruses mutate every year, which is why the flu vaccine has to be made from scratch every season. Sometimes the flu viruses circulate in greater variety. For example, in 2006 the vaccine was quite good, protecting against over 75% of common flu viruses. Last year, the vaccine was relatively mediocre (60% protection or so at best). Unfortunately, we don't know how effective a given flu vaccine will be until we are well into the flu season.
Q: When should I get the flu vaccine?
A: As soon as your doctor, office, pharmacy, or local clinic has it available.
Q: When is it "too late" to get the flu shot?
A: When there are none left. It's amazing how long flu season lasts- while fall and winter are the worst times, we still see cases well into spring. So if you haven't made it in for a checkup until January and your doctor offers you a flu shot, I recommend you take it.
1 comment:
"A: No. Unfortunately, modern medicine has absolutely nothing that can prevent or cure the "bird flu." Your best bet is still to avoid frolicking in Asian live poultry markets."
Sorry, but the above bolded assertion is not true.
For now, bird flu can be mostly cured if the patient taken at the very begining of the onset of simptoms (24-48 hours) oseltamivir antivirals (or new Relenza potentialy), and be treated further in an specialized hospital.
The rest FAQs was quite good. Bye.
Post a Comment