Save Yourself From Influenza and Its Complications by Getting Flu Vaccines

Flu or medically referred to as influenza is a viral infection caused by the RNA virus that can be transmitted from one person to another through direct contact with secretions of the nose and lungs, especially during sneezing. Since flu is a respiratory infection, it primarily develops in the lungs and can cause higher fever, more malaise, and severe body pains compared to other respiratory infections. The influenza virus can be divided into three specific types, which are appropriately designated as types A, B, and C. Types A and B are the ones responsible for the epidemic of such respiratory illness during winter, while type C is a less severe case than types A and B with very mild illness or no symptoms at all.

Flu is a common illness that could affect anyone. In the United States alone, 5-20 percent of the population acquires this respiratory problem, with more than 20,000 people being hospitalized from flu complications and about 36,000 people dying from the flu itself or from its complications. As influenza is highly infectious and is regarded as severe viral respiratory infection that could overwhelm the functions of the lungs and body, and may actually lead to death, it is important that you protect yourself and your family against this kind of illness. This is when flu vaccines come into play.

Flu vaccines or flu shots are annual vaccines used to protect against seasonal influenza. Seasonal vaccine for influenza comes in two different types: the injection or flu shot and the nasal-spray vaccine. A flu shot is an inactivated vaccine that contains dead influenza virus. This killed virus is then injected to the muscle of the person and stimulates the immune system to produce a response against the virus, and once activated the person’s antibodies would attack the virus, preventing similar infections from attacking the body. Meanwhile, a nasal-spray influenza vaccine contains the same strains of virus as that of the flu shot, but instead of killed ones, this contains weakened live viruses and is administered with the aid of a nasal spray.

Every year, the strains of influenza virus may change slightly, leaving the vaccine used during the previous year ineffective. Hence, new flu vaccine are prepared that are effective enough to fight off the expected type of influenza virus that would arise. Scientists who create this vaccine are capable of accurately predicting the next wave of influenza virus that is likely to cause infection, allowing them to prepare the right vaccine. It should be noted, however, that the vaccine is only effective against the strains of influenza virus that matches with the ones contained in the intended vaccine, which is why people are encouraged to receive revaccination annually in order to prevent the spread of influenza that is currently widespread.

Although anyone who would like to prevent themselves from getting flu can receive vaccination, there are some people who should not get flu shots because of their high risk for serious complications from the vaccine. This include people who have history of allergic reactions to eggs, infants that are below six months of age, those individuals that are recorded to have a history of hypersensitivity to the vaccine, and people who have moderate or severe fever during the time of vaccination. Medical experts also advise that flu revaccination should be avoided by individuals who have developed a disease called Guillain-Barre syndrome six weeks within their previous vaccination. Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare nerve disease characterized by weakness or paralysis of the legs, upper limbs, and the face.

The effectiveness of influenza vaccine greatly depends on the extent of the match between the virus strains that were used to create the vaccine and the virus that is currently prevalent. The health status and age of the individual are also significant factors that could determine its effectiveness. Therefore, if you’re thinking of getting a flu shot to protect yourself against influenza, it would be best if you consult with your doctor first so that you could have an insight about your current health condition, whether you are fit enough to receive the vaccine or not. This way, you can be assured that not only are you safe against the hazards of influenza itself but also against the complications that the vaccine could induce.