The Flu Vaccine…719woman.com
To get a flu shot or not? I know there are some who wouldn’t even dream about not getting a flu shot, and others who would never even consider it. I have friends who will swear they got the flu from a past flu vaccine, even though there is no proof that this happens. You CAN get symptoms like fever or muscle pain after an injection but these are less severe than if you actually had the flu. And if you’ve already been exposed to the influenza virus prior to a shot, you can come down with the flu.
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,) recommends a flu shot for those 6 months old and up. There are several different vaccines, including a nasal spray and egg-free injection (for those who are allergic to eggs.)
Seasonal influenza, (the flu,) is caused by influenza viruses, which infect the respiratory tract (i.e., the nose, throat, lungs.) Unlike many other viral respiratory infections, such as the common cold, the flu can cause several illnesses and life-threatening complications in many people. According to the CDC, it’s estimated that in the United States, each year on average 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu and more than 200.000 people are hospitalized from seasonal flu-related complications. Flu seasons are unpredictable and can be severe. Over a period of 30 years, between 1776 and 2006, estimates of flu-associated deaths in the United States range from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 40,000 people. The CDC says that some people, such as older people, young children, pregnant women, and people with certain health conditions are at a high risk for serious flu complications. According to them, the best way to prevent seasonal flu is by getting a flu vaccination each year.
If you are still unsure if you should get the flu shot for yourself or your family, here’s some more, easy-to-understand information on influenza and getting vaccinated.