Flu Myths
True or False?
- The flu is no more than a cold and is not serious.
FALSE. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), every year in the United States on average 5 to 20 percent of the population gets the flu. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized and about 36,000 die from flu.
The virus can knock you out for 7 to 10 days, with debilitating symptoms including high fever and severe headache and muscle ache. Flu can lead to complications, including bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, dehydration and worsening of chronic medical conditions such as congestive heart failure, asthma or diabetes.
- You can get the flu from a flu shot.
FALSE. A flu shot cannot give you the flu. The flu vaccine contains dead flu viruses that cannot multiply or cause infection. Some people get mild flu-like symptoms, especially those being vaccinated for the first time. This is the result of the body's immune response as it builds protection against actual infection. These symptoms can include mild fever, headache and muscle aches and usually end within 24 to 48 hours.
- Pregnant women should not get a flu shot.
FALSE. A flu shot is safe at any point during pregnancy and will not affect breast milk. In addition to protecting the mother, a flu shot can protect newborns who are naturally at high risk from flu complications but cannot be vaccinated because their immune systems are not developed enough. Vaccinating those who come in close contact with a newborn can also help protect and reduce risk of infection.
- You should get the flu shot even if you "never get sick."
TRUE. No one is totally immune from flu viruses, and coming down with the flu once is no protection from future flu outbreaks. You can get sick with the flu time and again. Flu spreads easily through breathing, coughing and sneezing — which is why it is considered such a contagious illness. It's easy to unknowingly touch or breathe in the tiny droplets from another person's cough or sneeze. In turn, if you touch your own mouth or nose before washing your hands, you can catch the flu.
- The flu shot causes severe reactions or side effects.
FALSE. The flu shot has proven to be extremely safe. Most people experience no symptoms after their shot other than some redness or soreness at the injection site.
- Getting a flu shot every year weakens your
immune system.
FALSE. The flu shot prepares and boosts your immune system to help you fight the virus. A flu shot is the only only way to prevent the flu. In fact, the strains of virus that cause the flu often change every year, which is why an annual shot is necessary.
- You should get a flu shot even when you suffer
from allergies
TRUE. You can successfully get a flu shot even if you have allergies. If you are one of the rare individuals who has previously had an allergic reaction to the flu vaccine, or any of its components, including eggs, talk to your doctor before getting vaccinated.
- The vaccine didn't work because I still got the flu.
FALSE. There are many different types of colds and viruses that cause flu-like symptoms. The vaccine does not work against these other illnesses. It is only effective against the actual flu virus. In any given year, the current vaccine prevents infection in 70 to 90 percent of people who get the shot.
- There are other ways I can prevent colds and flu.
TRUE. Viruses that cause colds and the flu are spread by hand contact and by breathing in droplets when a person coughs or sneezes. Handwashing is the best protection against a cold. Wash your hands often and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. If possible, avoid close contact with people who are sick.
If you get sick, limit your exposure to others to help keep them from catching the same virus. Cover your mouth or nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Try to stay home.
These tips may also help protect you against the flu, but the best way is to get a flu shot each fall.
