The flu shot is a vaccine that works to protect people from seasonal flu infections; this is available in two types; a shot and a nasal spray. The flu shot provides antibodies to fight against three kinds of the influenza virus: two influenza A variations and one influenza B strain. On the other hand, the nasal spray produce antibodies for four those included in the shot, as well as one for influenza B strain as an additional.
Which type of flu shot vaccine should I use?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advocates that everyone from 6 months old and above should receive a flu vaccination, especially those who are from age of 6 month to 18 year old since they are the ones who are highly at risk as well as older persons at the age of over 60, and pregnant women.
In addition to this are the people who are residents or are working in large communities such as dormitories, persons with weak immune systems or those who easily acquired sickness from others, and as well as healthcare workers.
Generally speaking, flu shots are safe for most people, however, for individuals who are allergic to egg may want to go for an egg-free version of the flu vaccine since the vaccine is manufactured using eggs.
Nasal sprays are prescribed for individuals aging from 50 years old and below because it has a live flu virus that has been cultivated not to cause illnesses. In contrast, the injection version of the vaccine contains the virus which already killed. Adversely to the concern of the public which connects autism or Guillain-Barré syndrome (a nervous system disorder) to the flu vaccine, studies has never proved such, so there is no need to be worried about it being cause of the vaccination.
In a nutshell
It is quite impossible that the vaccine itself will be the cause of having flu, unless other rare circumstances that the patient already had a flu being suppress before he had taken the vaccine, and it will take around 2 weeks for the antibodies to complete its defense against flu. The possible side effects from the vaccination will include runny and stuffy nose, soreness on the injection site, or possibly a low-grade fever.
Flu shots are preventative medicines and are recently under the coverage of most medical insurances, which means that all you need to do is to bill your medical insurance for it so you can have a safer health. On the other hand, if you may need to have an out-of-pocket expense to acquire the vaccine, the amount usually ranges from $25 to $40 only, a small price to pay to make sure that you and your family are safe from flu and other influenza viruses.
Try to visit your nearest health institution and you will be given information about flu shots or nasal spray, as well as to consult more about it, always remember” prevention is better than cure” in terms of your family’s health.
Sourced from: Alot
Photo by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Europe District / CC by