Q:What are the facts on flu shots? Do they help that much, and can a flu shot give you the flu? -- Skeptical Senior
A: A flu shot doesn't guarantee you won't get influenza, but it does lower your risk. And if you do get sick, you probably won't get as sick as you would without it.
The facts: Each year, 5 percent to 20 percent of the U.S. population gets the flu, more than 200,000 people have to be hospitalized for it, and about 36,000 will die because of it. Here are key facts to know:
While there's no foolproof way to prevent the flu, your best protection is a flu shot or the inhaled FluMist (FDA-approved only for healthy people ages 5 to 49) every fall. It's especially important for kids younger than 5, adults older than 65, and anyone with medical conditions, such as asthma, bronchitis or heart disease, because they are at high risk for complications.
Most people who get the flu shot have no reaction to it, but up to 25 percent may have some redness and slight swelling at the site, and about 5 percent may experience a slight fever, chills and headache within 24 hours. These symptoms end within a few days.
You need to get a flu shot every year because the flu virus mutates from year to year, so a vaccination from last season is ineffective against this year's strains.
People who are allergic to eggs or latex, who have a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome, or who've had a severe reaction to a flu shot should not get a flu shot without consulting their doctor. People who have a fever should get vaccinated after their symptoms pass.
Flu fiction: One of the most common misperceptions is that a flu shot will give you the flu. But the vaccine is made from killed influenza viruses, so it's impossible to get the flu from a flu shot. Some other common misconceptions:
Flu is just a bad cold. This is fiction. Although it's a respiratory infection, it affects the entire body, causing high fever, body aches, headaches, nausea and dehydration. Even after the infection is gone (it can last up to two weeks), people can be weak for several days.
You can get the flu from wet hair or cold weather. Not true. You get the flu by coming into contact with someone who is infected.
The flu shot is only for high-risk people. False. People at high risk need the vaccination, but those at low risk should get the shot to help keep the flu from spreading.
If I haven't had the flu by December, it's too late. False. Flu season can extend through May. Although it's never too late in the season to get the shot, the best time is in October or November.
Savvy tips: You can get a flu shot at your doctor's office, clinic or various other locations. Medicare Part B pays for flu shots, but if you're not covered, plenty of places offer them for free. Tofind a vaccination site, call your health department or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention information line at (800) 232-4636, or visit www.flucliniclocator.org.
Jim Miller is editor of the Savvy Senior. Send your senior questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior.org.
Email a Friend
RSS
digg it
Printer Friendly
Mobile Alerts
Sphere IT
Save This Page