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Influenza, or flu, is a respiratory disease that is no stranger to most households. The contagious influenza viruses infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs, resulting in mild to severe illness, and even death. The viruses spread easily by tiny droplets made when infected individuals cough, sneeze or talk. Nevertheless, flu is preventable by getting a flu vaccine each year. Despite that, most people do not fully understand what it means to have influenza or to receive flu vaccines. Read on to dispel the common myths surrounding influenza.
Myth 1: I may get influenza when I receive the flu vaccine.
Truth: Flu vaccine does not cause influenza. Currently, there are two types of vaccination through injections: Inactivated virus or using only a single gene from a flu virus (recombinant influenza vaccines). These components produce an immune response without causing infection.
Regardless, mild reactions usually do occur from flu vaccination. These include soreness, redness, tenderness or swelling at the injection site. Other general discomforts may include low-grade fever, headache and muscle aches. These reactions begin soon following vaccination and last 1-2 days. On a side note, serious allergic reactions to flu vaccines are very rare. Although these reactions can be life-threatening when this happens effective treatments are available at emergency clinics.
Myth 2: Influenza is just a bad cold.
Truth: Loosely, the term “flu” often refers to a cold. However, the flu is more serious than a common cold. In mild cases, flu causes high fever, head and body aches, persistent coughing and severe fatigue for up to two weeks or more; in serious cases, it can lead to hospitalisation and death, especially for high-risk populations, such as those above age 65, people with chronic medical conditions (including asthma, diabetes or heart disease), pregnant women, and children younger than age 5.
Myth 3: I don’t need the flu vaccine because I am young and healthy.
Truth: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends individuals age 6 months and above to receive the flu vaccination. The flu vaccine prevents millions of illnesses and flu-related doctor’s visit each year. In fact, during seasons when the flu vaccine viruses were similar to the circulating flu viruses, the vaccine reduced doctor’s visit due to flu by 40-60 %. Besides that, getting flu vaccination also protects the people around you, including those who are more vulnerable to serious flu illness.
Myth 4: The flu vaccine is ineffective because I still catch the flu after the vaccination.
Truth: Many reasons could have led to someone suffering from flu despite vaccinations, including:
- Becoming ill from other respiratory viruses such as rhinovirus
- Getting exposed to influenza viruses shortly before or within two weeks of vaccination. (The vaccine takes two weeks to develop immunity against influenza.)
- Being exposed to a flu virus that is different from the vaccine’s spectrum of coverage.
- Varied responses on the effectiveness of vaccine experienced by different individuals.
Interestingly, studies had shown that vaccinated individuals who still get sick had reduced severity of influenza, which further solidifies the importance of flu vaccination.
Myth 5: I should not get the flu vaccine because I am pregnant.
Truth: The CDC recommends all pregnant women to get flu vaccine injections. Pregnant women have a higher risk for hospitalisations or deaths from influenza as compared to women of reproductive age. On top of that, studies found that flu vaccination during pregnancy helps protect the baby from flu for several months after birth. This affords a period of protection as vaccination is not recommended for infants below 6 months.
Myth 6: I don’t need the flu vaccine this year because I just got it last year.
Truth: A yearly flu vaccine recommendation is for everyone 6 months and older, even when the vaccine spectrum coverage remains the same before. This is because a person’s immune protection from vaccination wanes over time, annual vaccination is required to ensure optimal protection against the flu.
Myth 7: I probably need antibiotics to help with the flu.
Truth: Antibiotics are only effective for bacterial infections; instead, antivirals can be prescribed for flu to stop the virus from multiplying in a person’s body. Furthermore, a combination of over-the-counter medications and home remedies can help relieve symptoms. For instance, pain relief medication is useful to manage head and body aches; meanwhile, home remedies would include staying warm and hydrated. It is also essential to stay at home and avoid contact with others to prevent spreading the infection.
Conclusion
Influenza is a contagious viral infection that can result in serious complications and is a common recurring health threat during flu seasons or epidemics. Know the facts to protect yourself, and unravel seven myths about flu and flu prevention through vaccination.
Further reads: Do I need the flu vaccine?
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by Joanne Lee
Multipotentialite. Loves creating and seeing ideas come alive. View all articles by Joanne Lee.
