Flu Shot Side Effects
If you have been putting of your flu shot, side effects worry may be the most common and understandable reason why. Of course, there are those of us who just can’t stand the thought of being poked with a needle, and this aspect of the vaccination process keeps droves of people away from the flu shot lines. There are inhalation options available, as well, but these are derived of weakened, live bacteria and can cause cold like symptoms in 40% of patients. Flu shot side effects are felt on a much smaller scale, and aside from the rare allergic reaction are considered to be much safer than the flu virus itself. The influenza virus is passed through the air, which classifies it as an airborne disease. This can also mean hand to hand or indirect contact with someone who has touched the airborne virus, and the symptoms are almost always unmistakable.
Others of us have never contracted the flu, or at least not a flu which feels as if we are close to death. The harsh facts are, however, that over 36,000 people per year die from flu related complications. Whether it be the stomach flu or the all-over head and body flu, this wicked virus can grip and not let go, especially onto those who are smaller or just too weak to fend it off. We have to wonder if the chance of being stricken with flu shot side effects should have any impact at all over our decisions whether or not to defend ourselves.
The flu season begins during early fall, though influenza can and will strike during any time of the year. The most common flu shot side effects reported are mild fever, sore throat, runny nose, and lethargy or exhaustion. The push to have as many eligible people vaccinated per year as possible gets stronger each year, as the medical community reports a steady decline in the number of hospitalizations and deaths from this illness with each passing season. Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions when consulting with your doctor or health care technician, as the more you know about the flu and its prevention, the better able to make a sound decision you will be.
Those who can not be given the flu shot include babies under the age of 6 months, as well as those who have known egg allergies. The flu virus within the shot, before it is killed, is grown within eggs, and this cannot be fully extracted from the vaccine. People over the age of 50 are desperately urged to risk flu shot side effects, as they are so highly susceptible to extreme flu symptoms.