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Are Flu Shots Recommended?
from:The following article on flu shots covers a topic that always moves to center stage--especially in the winter months. If you've been thinking you need to brush up on it, here's your opportunity.
The single best way to inhibit the spread of flu is to get inoculated every fall, as stated by the Centers for Disease Control. Every season a new vaccine is produced that includes strains of three different viruses, based on evaluations about which strains will circulate in the coming season. Our body begins to form specific antibodies which will intern provide us with protection from these viruses in about two weeks after getting immunized. That is why it is always recommended to get your shot early in the season.
Some of the people most prone to be effected by the flu bug include the elderly over age 65, younger children under the age of 6 months and anyone else who may have chronic health conditions. These include those who suffer with immunosuppressant, people with chronic heart condition or a lung condition with compromised respiratory functions and even those currently on aspirin therapy. A priority list compiled by the CDC who are advised to get their influenza vaccination first, are comprised of people aged 65 and older with or without chronic health conditions, those who are aged 2-49 years and suffer from chronic health conditions, very young children aged 6-23 months, women who are pregnant and especially residents of long-term health care facilities. Another large group of the population, also placed on this list, are those who work with or care for anyone of the above and should also receive their inoculation early. These include health care providers, day care workers or family members who come in contact with those most prone because they can reduce their chances of contracting the influenza and possibly passing it on to others. When you take into account that over 90 million people in the US alone get a flu shot each year, you begin to understand the importance of this immunization program and the role the medical industry plays.
The nasal spray and injection methods are the two types of influenza vaccine presently available but are made and used differently. The most popular is the injectable method and it is given with a needle in upper arm. The vaccine contains an inactivated or killed virus, which may be given out to those above the age of 6 months whether they are or are not experiencing chronic health conditions. A live virus is used in the production of the nasal spray type and should only be administrated to healthy persons between the ages of 5 & 49 and is not recommended for women who are pregnant. A list of people who are not advised to receive the flu vaccine include those that may have experienced an allergic reaction before, are presently allergic to chicken eggs, have developed the Guillain-Barre syndrome within six weeks of being inoculated in the past, are under six months of age or have a fever and are suffering from an active viral or bacterial infection.
There are some people who are nervous about the side effects of having a flu shot but reports indicate that they are usually mild with most lasting for only a couple of days. Both injected and nasal spray immunizations may cause some flu-like symptoms that can include redness and/or swelling at the injection site, a low-grade fever, muscle soreness and aching, a runny nose, nausea and sometimes vomiting and sore throat. These symptoms are by no means as terrible as experiencing the actual flu, which for some can also lead to more serious health issues. So making the choice to get a flu shot and maybe experiencing some mild side effects maybe far more favorable than actually coming down with a full blown version of the flu bug, a seriously uncomfortable and incapacitating time as anyone who has experienced it can remember. Also one must be considerate of all the others he or she could be infecting, spreading the disease to those who are at risk. Reports have stated that with the introduction of flu shots the number of influenza cases and deaths have decreased drastically in the high risk groups including those 65 years of age and older and children under 6 years old.
Please remember that your family doctor is the best one to give proper advice about your health and should always be consulted with when making any decisions about getting an inoculation.
Knowing more about your choices and how they effect you helps cut down on the fear factor. If you apply what you've just learned about flu shots when talking with your Doctor, you should have nothing to worry about.
Flu Shots Florida News
Do's and don'ts of cutting medical bills in a bad economy (Miami Herald)
Nicholas Lyon, 29, of Southwest Miami-Dade has serious heart problems, and his doctor tells him he should get flu and pneumonia shots to spare his body the stress of those illnesses. But he thinks he might put it off.
Read more...Health Notes, Martin County: updated Jan 6 (TCPalm.com)
Florida Atlantic University will host "The Brain Gain Workshop" and "The Brain Gain Workout," at the Memory and Wellness Center, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton.
Read more...Huntington girls beat Hurricane (The Huntington Herald-Dispatch)
HURRICANE -- At this rate, the only thing that is going to stop Huntington High's girls basketball team is the flu bug.
Read more...Health Notes, Indian River County- updated Jan 6 (TCPalm.com)
Jan. 6: (BP/BS) 8:30-10 a.m. Gifford Youth Activity Center, 4875 43rd Ave., Vero Beach. Jan. 6: (BP) 11 a.m.-noon Wabasso Church of God, 8710 64th Ave., Wabasso.
Read more...THE OBSERVER STAFF LOOKS AT THE WIDE OPEN GATE FOR 2008 (Observer)
The Observer staff kicked off with a bang, heading up the year’s first issue with the state-mandated child vaccination controversy and ended with overdevelopment issues.
Read more...