Do Flu shots help you avoid infection?

You can increase your chances of avoiding an influenza infection by getting an influenza immunization.  Although it is impossible to be vaccinated against all of the various types and subtypes of influenza virus, it is possible to make and educated guess about which types may be about to descend upon us.
The educated guess comes about in the way:  One considers the cynical nature of epidemics.  One keeps in mind the most recently isolated influenza subtypes. The virus which caused Hong Kong flu in 1972 - a B type virus - was manifested again in 1978-79.  A-type Brazil and A-Type USSR viruses are so similar that vaccination against one will afford protection against both viruses.
Usually flu shotscontain killed virus from three distinct strains, usually two A strains and a B strain.  the B strain will be that sub-type most likely to be ocming around agian in its four to six year cycle.  Seventy persent of those vaccinated obtain immunity to these and similar influenza virus strains for a period of three to six months.
The three main strains research indicates are most likely to be causing influenza this year, and against which the vaccine will protect you are: A/Brisbane/59/2007(H1N1)-like virus; A/Brisbane/10/2007(H3N2)-like virus; B/Florida/4/2006-like virus.
Many people commonly believe that flu shots afford protection against other virus infections.  This is not so.
A flu shot will not “cause” the flu or a flu-like illness although with a small minority of patients, five percent or so, there may be a mild fever-like reaction to the shot.  This reaction with fever, muscle aches, and fatigue lasts only one to two days and is mild.  About one third of those vaccinated get swelling and tenderness at the site of the injection.  Ifyou are allergic to egges or egg protien, you should not have a flu shot.
Who should get the flu shot? The CDC and the Advisoty Committee on Immunizatoin Practices recommend the following people strongly consider getting a flu shot every year:
Children aged 6 months to 19 years

• Pregnant Women

• People 50 years of age and older

• People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions

• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities

• People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
  • Health care workers

• • Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu

• • Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age.

Yearly flu vaccination should begin in September or as soon as vaccine is available and continue throughout the influenza season, into December, January and beyond.  This is because the timing and duration of influenza seasons vary.  While influenza outbreaks can happen as early as October, most of the time influenza activity peaks in January or later.
You should know this as well:  If you don’t get a flu shot and you do get influenza there are two drugs available that will kill the virus and can make the illness milder.  These drugs are oseltamivir (trade name: Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza).  (Atantadine and rimantadine have also been used in the past, but are NOT recommended for use this year because of viral resistance.)  Ask your doctor about these drugs.
But get a flu shot!

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Article written by Dr. Michael LaCombe