Flu Myths And Facts, Part 2

Sure, the flu is uncomfortable, but it's not really a big deal, right? Apparently you've never had the flu! It's a lot more than just the 'bad cold” some people think it is. You have awful body aches, you're congested, burning up with fever, coughing roughly ever 4.2 seconds (I just made that number up, but you get the point). “Being run over by a giant steam roller” is a much more accurate description for how you feel than “bad cold”. As if this weren't bad enough, the seasonal flu has been known to land about 200,000 people in the hospital each year, killing up 36,000 of those people. Yes, the flu is a lot more dangerous for people who are elderly or already have another serious condition, but young and healthy people are far from exempt. It can be very dangerous for babies and young children, so it's recommended that anyone who cares for a child or elderly person get the vaccine.

It's almost December; is it too late to get my shot this year? No. Depending on who you ask, the flu season could extend as far as March. The CDC does recommend getting the vaccine in October or whenever it becomes available, but you can still get it as late as January or February. It takes two weeks to "kick in", though, so get it as early as you can.

Isn't this just another way for "Big Pharma" to make money? 

Some say that a lot of the "flu-shot frenzy" comes from fear-mongering attempts by manufacturers designed only to sell medications. Maybe, but so what? That doesn't mean the vaccines won't help or make the flu any less dangerous. Get it or don't get it, it's up to you. 

I got a flu shot last year, so I'm covered. Right? No. The flu vaccine isn't like the ones for polio or measles you got when you were little. It doesn't build up antibodies for a lifetime; just for a year or so. A more accurate comparison could be the rabies shots you cat gets at the vet's office. The reason is the same reason scientists have had so much trouble creating an HIV vaccine-the virus is forever developing new strains that may or may not respond well to current forms of the vaccine. Supplies are created each year based on the particular form(s) going around, so they differ from year to year. Much progress is being made when it comes to both viruses, so there is hope on the horizon.

Can't I just take some antibiotics and be done with it? No. Antibiotics work for bacterial infections, not viral. 

I hear there's a shortage, so perhaps I should leave the vaccine for people who need it more. That's very noble of you but, fortunately, that shouldn't be a problem. The local health department will issue any advisories regarding shortages; if they do, you can make your decision then. 

For more information regarding the flu and flu vaccine, visit http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/features/top-13-flu-myths.

Flu Myths And Facts, Part 1

It's that time of year again. Well, actually, it's been that time of the year for a while now, but right now we're in the thick of the flu season. A lot of misinformation goes around about the flu and the flu vaccine that never seems to go away, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try. Here is my attempt to answer some of the most common questions about the flu, written as they might be asked.

Doesn't the flu vaccine *cause* the flu, not prevent it?. No. Yes, there is a bit of the flu virus in the vaccine but, like every other vaccine, the virus is dead or so weak that it couldn't possibly make you sick. Your immune system doesn't need much to develop a shield against something.

On a related note, there has been no definitive proof that vaccines cause autism or any other disorder in children. Some people think that certain ingredients such as thimerosal can cause problems, but this hasn't been found to be true. If you're really that concerned, you can ask your doctor about vaccines without that ingredient.

If I get the vaccine, do I still have to eat right/wash my hands/take other health precautions? Yes, you do. For one thing, the vaccines reduce your risk of getting the flu; they don't completely eliminate it. The vaccines don't work the same for everyone; people who already have a weakened immune system (the elderly or those with other illnesses) might not benefit from the vaccine as much as healthy people. Also, there are several strains of the virus that don't yet have a vaccine. Besides, don't you still want to avoid getting sick in other ways? Or getting anyone else sick? The flu is not the only thing that goes around this time of year.

If it doesn't work for everyone, what's the point in getting it? It's not that some people don't benefit at all from flu shots so much as that they don't benefit as much as the rest of the population. They do still benefit. Even if someone were to get the flu after the shot (it's not very common, but it happens), the symptoms won't be as severe. Either way, at least it's something.

Is there anyone who shouldn't get the shot at all? Yes. Anyone who is allergic to eggs shouldn't get most flu vaccines because that's what they're made from. I say "most" because some of the more recent vaccinations don't contain eggs.

I can't get a shot! I hate needles! Trust me, you'll hate having the flu a lot more than getting a needle stick. Also, some vaccines come in the form of a nasal spray. Your doctor can tell you which is most appropriate for you. 

Continued in part 2.