Had Your Flu Shot?

Have you had your flu shot yet?  Well, you may not need one, but perhaps someone in your family does.  Read on for the latest info straight from the CDC website.

It's a common misconception that a "cold" and the "flu" are really the same, or at least, similar ailments.  Yes, they are both caused by viruses, and, yes, some of the symptoms are the same.  First let's review the stats...

Every year in the United States, on average:

• 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu;
• more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and;
• about 36,000 people die from flu.

What are the symptoms?

• fever (usually high)
• headache
• extreme tiredness
• dry cough
• sore throat
• runny or stuffy nose
• muscle aches
• stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, also can occur but are more common in children than adults.

So, flu symptoms are not only more severe than cold symptoms, they can be deadly.  I just don't think anyone has ever died from a cold, much as we think we will. 

The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year.

There are two types of vaccines:

• The "flu shot"--an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm.  The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people as well as people with chronic medical conditions.
• The nasal-spray flu vaccine--a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for "Live Attenuated Influenze Vaccine").  LAIV is approved for use in healthy people 5 years to 49 years of age who are not pregnant.

So, you say, I never get sick.  Why should I get a shot?

In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated.  However, it is recommended that certain people should get vaccinated each year.  Maybe you or a family member are one of them.

1. People at high risk for complications from the flu, including:

• Children aged 6-59 months,
• Pregnant women,
• People 50 years of age and older, and
• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions;
• People who live in nursing homes and other long term care facilities.

     2.    People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:

• Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu (see above)
• Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (those children are too young to be vaccinated)
• Healthcare workers.

Who Should Not Be Vaccinated (you were waiting for this part, weren't you!  Read on)

• People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
• People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past.
• People who developed Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously.  If you don't know what GBS is, then, for sure, you have never had it!
• Influenza vaccine is not approved for use in children less than 6 months of age.
• People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until the symptoms lessen.

Source:  http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm

In other words, there are very few people that really should NOT get a flu shot.  It doesn't hurt, not too much, anyways.   So, make an appointment, see your friendly nurse, and get your flu shot! 

BTW, it needs to go in a muscle (IM), but you can have it in your arm, unlike the demonstration below.