To Get The FLU SHOT or Not?

What is the Flu?
The flu is an acute respiratory illness (related to breathing; i.e., your nose, throat, lungs—not your stomach) caused by an infection from one of many influenza viruses that exist. The infection can cause a sore throat, stuffy nose, fever, cough, chills, muscle aches, headaches and weakness. Serious complications include bronchitis and pneumonia. Because the virus is spread through the air when infected people cough or sneeze, it is very contagious.

What is the Flu Shot?
Every year, U.S. disease control experts choose three strains of influenza virus based on worldwide flu epidemics and their predicted spread to this country. They use these strains to develop a new vaccine (or "shot"). The object of a flu shot is to encourage a person’s immune system to make antibodies against the particular organisms in the vaccine. Because the vaccine contains no live viruses, no one can get the flu from a flu shot!

What Are the Risks?
Unless you are allergic to eggs (egg protein is used in the vaccine), the flu shot poses no risk. However getting the flu does, particularly if you’re in a high risk group. Doctors recommend that people age 65 and over, nursing home residents, people with chronic lung conditions (such as asthma or emphysema), people with heart conditions, diabetes, or immune system disorders, children and teenagers receiving long-term aspirin therapy, healthcare workers and others exposed to those at high risk get flu shots each year.

Because the flu is viral (not bacterial) infection, antibiotics cannot be used to treat it. If you do get the flu, most doctors recommend bed rest, plenty of fluids and acetaminophen (not aspirin).

The bottom line? Whether to get a flu shot is an individual decision that must be made with a physician who can help assess your past and current medical status as well as the potential severity of the coming flu season.