How Does a Flu Shot Work?
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Each year, somewhere between 5% and 20% of the U.S. population may become ill with the influenza virus, commonly known as the flu. Of those afflicted with the flu, an average of around 200,000 are hospitalized with complications. Small children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems are especially at risk for experiencing flu-related complications, which can include death in severe cases. Therefore, getting a flu vaccination might be beneficial to prevent the spread of the disease. But just what's in a flu shot, how does a flu shot work, and exactly who should be immunized?
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The flu shot is comprised of whichever three strains of the virus the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) believes will be the biggest threat to Americans' health that year. The CDC bases this decision on which flu viruses were most common in China and Australia during the previous year. When making the vaccines, the chosen viruses are rendered inactive, or "killed", and grown in chicken eggs. Antibiotics and various additives such as Triton X-100, formaldehyde, polysorbate 80, gelatin and thimerosal may also be added to preserve the killed virus and make it work more effectively. Then, once the vaccine is ready, it is either injected into the body via a shot or inhaled via a nasal spray. The nasal spray form of the vaccination features a weakened live form of the virus rather than a killed one.
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Once the vaccine is inside you, it stimulates your immune system into thinking it's been infected by the flu recently. Therefore, your immune system produces antibodies against the virus. These antibodies bind to the virus and target it for destruction. Then, when you actually do come in contact with the real live virus, your body is armed and ready to fight off the illness before it even starts. However, keep in mind that the flu vaccination only contains three strains of the virus, when there are many more lurking in the real world. If you get infected by a different flu strain, most likely you will still experience symptoms and become ill. Also, the vaccination is not 100% effective, and it has been noted to be less effective in the elderly and young children.
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Currently, the CDC recommends that anyone wanting to avoid getting the flu be immunized with the flu shot. Also, they consider school-aged children, adults over 50, caregivers of infants under six months of age, and other health comprised individuals in the high risk category, and therefore strongly urge them to get yearly flu shots. However, some people chose to skip the flu vaccination altogether due to its potential to be ineffective and its side effects. Typical side effects from the flu shot include redness and soreness at the injection site, fever and muscle aches. Life-threatening allergic reactions are rare with the flu, but can occur, especially in those with egg allergies. Also, some people are hesitant to inject some of the additives into their bodies, such as formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, and thimerosal, a mercury derivative. Educating yourself and making an informed choice is the best way to decide whether or not the flu shot is right for you.
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