If you had the flu last year, you know how bad it can make you feel. You’re hot one minute, cold the next, your head aches, and you’re completely out of energy. Some people, however, never got the flu because they got a flu shot.
What’s in a Flu Shot?
A flu shot is a type of vaccine. The shot contains killed flu viruses that won’t cause you to get the flu, but will cause your body to make antibodies to fight off infection by the live flu virus.
The flu shot is 80 percent effective against the flu, which means that a few people who get the shot will still get the flu. In addition, the shot only contains certain strains of the virus. If a new flu strain emerges, a person who’s had a shot may not be protected against it.
If you hate getting shots, you may want to ask your doctor about the nasal mist vaccine (a type of spray that’s squirted up the nose). The nasal mist is different from the shot because it contains weakened live flu viruses. This means the nasal mist isn’t for everyone. For example, some things — like steroid use – can affect the immune system, and people with weakened immune systems shouldn’t get the nasal mist.
Check with your doctor to see if you can use this type of flu vaccine – or whether you need a flu vaccine at all.
What About Side Effects?
You might have some minor side effects for one or two days after the shot, like soreness in the area where you got the shot. Some people may feel achy or have a mild fever after getting the shot. But the side effects aren’t as bad as the flu, which can make you sick for as long as two or three weeks.
A few people who get the nasal mist vaccine can develop mild flu-like symptoms that go away after a few days.
The ingredients for flu vaccines are actually grown inside eggs. So if you’re allergic to eggs or egg products, let your doctor know before you get either type of flu vaccine.
Reasons to Get a Flu Shot
Most young people don’t need a flu shot because their bodies can handle the infection without developing other problems, but some people should have one. If you have certain medical conditions like kidney disease, diabetes, HIV, heart problems, or a lung disorder like asthma, most doctors will recommend that you get a flu shot every year to protect you from complications like pneumonia.
Women who are in the second or third trimester of pregnancy during flu season may also need a flu shot. In addition, young people who take aspirin regularly for certain medical problems may need a flu shot because they’re at risk for developing a serious condition called Reye syndrome if they get the flu.
You might also want to get a flu shot if you live with someone who is at risk for health problems if they get the flu. For example, the elderly and very young children are at risk. So you may want to ask your doctor about getting a flu shot if you live in the same house as a grandparent or baby (or if you baby-sit or are in close contact with children younger than 2).
The best time to get a flu shot in the United States is in October or November. This gives the body a chance to build up immunity before the winter flu season.
However, you can get a flu shot throughout flu season and still have some protection against the flu. You can also protect yourself against the flu by washing your hands frequently.
c 2005 The Nemours Foundation.
Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.

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