Should I Get A Flu Shot?

Retrospect

Less than a century ago, many people around the world had died of influenza (simply called as Flu) caused by Spanish Influenza Virus. Flu is a contagious disease caused by influenza virus and spread through sneezing, coughing, or nasal secretions.  When Influenza Virus afflicted many people in Mexico last year, neighbouring countries and those affected

had been on alert.  This kind of Flu has never been ordinary.  It caused a high rate of mortality for people in all ages.  With such virulence, the virus which caused the illness was identified in quite a short time.  Not short enough though for those who had met his demise. 

The strain was identified as H1N1 also known as Swine Flu Virus.   The name was given due to similarity of the viral genes that afflict swine or pigs.  There were few cases of swine flu here in Kansas, but other states had more.  Health authorities of the country had recognized the presence of an epidemic and tried to work fast and hard to create a vaccine against it.

Getting to know Flu Vaccine

Flu vaccines at present are usually grown from fertilized chicken eggs.  Some people are allergic to eggs, as such other sources for vaccine growth are being explored and tried.  The current (2010-2011) vaccine has 3 strains present – A/H1N1, A/H3N2 and Influenza B. 

There are two types of vaccines available for use.  One is used as a nasal spray, while the other is given through shots.  Nasal Spray makes use of live, weakened influenza virus.  It is sprayed into the nostrils.  Since it is live, the body tends to produce more antibodies (a protective mechanism of the body against flu or other infecting agents), thereby making it primed and ready for the flu virus whenever it will attack the body.  It is recommended for healthy people from 2 years old up to 49 years of age, not pregnant and without serious health problems. 

The other is commonly known as Flu Shot, which is made up of inactivated or killed influenza virus. Since it made used of a killed virus, the body has little chance of getting infected.  However, it is contraindicated for people suffering from Guillain-Barré Syndrome.

Getting these vaccines does not necessarily mean a person will not get sick of influenza.  Scientists have long found out that viruses mutate all the time.  Flu virus is considered to be rapidly changing.  This is the main reason why it is given to people each year.  Every year, the strain of influenza virus varies from one country to another.  As such, strains present in the vaccine differ too depending upon the virus present in that place.

For an easy understanding of the mechanism of Flu vaccine, try to consider a door lock.   Flu vaccine works like lock and key.  There is only one set of keys for each lock.  It is quite specific.  The body after 2 weeks of vaccination produce antibodies that prevent the person from suffering flu.  But then, these antibodies are specific to the exact strain present in the vaccine.  Given that there are many strains of influenza virus, these vaccines could not totally prevent the onslaught of illness.  However, scientists claimed that it still could lessen the effect of other flu causing viruses.   It is recommended by health authorities worldwide most especially to elderly and children more than 6 months.

Side Effects

According to CDC website, side-effects for Nasal Spray Vaccine include: runny nose or nasal congestion, headache and muscle ache, fever, wheezing, cough, chills, tiredness/weakness, sore throat, abdominal pain or occasional vomiting or diarrhoea.  Flu Shot side-effects include: puncture site soreness, redness or swelling, hoarseness, sore, red or itchy eyes, cough, fever, aches and in a very rare case, life-threatening allergic reaction.

Controversy

In order to keep the vaccine sterile, a mercury-based preservative called thimerosal, has been widely used since 1930s.  Mercury is considered toxic in large doses and had been studied and linked to various conditions such as autism, seizures, mental retardation, hyperactivity, dyslexia, etc. A famous TV personality had once come out in a popular show to speak against vaccine.  She claimed that the thimerosal in the vaccine had caused her son to be autistic. 

Well, multitude of studies had never affirmed the linked of mercury much more trace amount of it to autisms.  Today though, thimerosal is not extensively used as before in vaccines. Even so, recent researches on thimerosal had not yield deleterious effects.  It does not pose a serious threat to the health status of a person.  It is wise to remember that most of our teeth fillings used to be made of mercury-based amalgam, yet many of those who had amalgam tooth filling lived up to old age.   As for children, vaccines have proven to be useful since the dawn of plague.  Consider polio.  If not for the use of vaccines, many babies and children would have died like what happened long ago.  If there is any way we can prevent a disease to occur, why put our health much more our life at risk? 

Lastly, the big question, “Should I get a Flu Shot?”  Only the owner of the body can decide.  Just take heed that Prevention has always been better than Cure.