Flu Vaccinations are in the news, and the rumors, lies, and myths are flying. Do you know the worst one? In the worst-case scenario, let’s look at the conversation between two ladies socially distancing while they drink coffee at an outdoor bistro.
We want you to know what is real and what is fake. Know the facts. Thus, in this article, FLASS investigates the truth behind the flu vaccinations that save many lives. Let’s eavesdrop on Katelyn P. and Melissa G.
Katelyn and Melissa
Scientists are Racing for a COVID 19 Vaccine. Meanwhile, Take Your Flu Vaccinations to Avoid the Flu and Dangerous Complications.
Melissa G. says, “Oh, I just don’t think I will get the flu shot this year. Every time I have gotten those flu vaccinations, they have given me the flu.”
Katelyn P. responds, “Really? They never bother me. But I know you could not get the actual flu from the shots.
Melissa G. whines, “Well, I did! I was sick for two whole days!”
Katelyn P. answers, “Now, Mel, don’t get mad at me, but if you had the real flu, you would have been sick a whole lot longer. You know I have been a registered nurse for 8 years and I must tell you the truth. There is absolutely no way the shots can give you the flu. It’s against science. Yes, you can get side effects, but not the actual flu. That’s a longstanding old wives’ tale. “
Melissa G. pouts a little. And Katelyn goes into the medical information behind long-held myths for her friend. Let’s leave them to their coffee and long-winded discussion. We’ll just share the basic facts.
Flu Vaccinations: Fighting Greatest Untruth
In the first place, Katelyn could not have gotten the flu from her flu vaccinations because scientists make the “vaccine with inactivated, or dead, flu viruses.” And you can not get sick from the dead virus injection.
Here’s Why Flu Vaccinations work:
So let’s see how the flu vaccination works, when you are injected with the dead or inactive flu virus: “When a health professional injects the vaccine into a person’s body, the person’s immune system starts to develop antibodies to fight the illness — even though the virus is inactive.”
- Thus when the patient gets near the flu virus again, their body will recognize it…”
- And here is the best part. When the flu hits the body, it “already has the right antibodies to attack it quickly and keep a person from getting sick.”
Thus, the dead virus-and your body’s reaction to it by making antibodies protects you when you are exposed to the real. live, virus. If your boosted system cannot completely stave off the flu, then at the very least, it can lessen the time and strength of the infection.
Flu Vaccinations: Now You Know the Truth about the Flu Shots
Moreover, FLASS points you to expert testimony. Ann Falsey, MD, is a professor of medicine in the infectious disease unit at the University of Rochester Medical Center. She has stated that “the flu vaccine is incredibly safe.” She adds, “It’s been given to millions and millions of people and been around for a long time.”
Don’t Mistake Common Side Effects From the Flu Vaccinations for Flu
Flu Vaccinations Cannot Give You the Flu. And That is the Truth.
Although you do not catch the flu from the flu shot, you might endure some side effects:
Side Effect: Arm Swelling
1. Does your arm swell after the shot? Is it red and painful? This mild reaction can appear 24 to 48 hours after the actual shot. Dr. Falsey states, “That’s a local side effect… and not everyone even gets it.” Furthermore, it is harmless. It’s a good thing. Additionally, it means your body is responding to the vaccination.
Side Effect: Fainting
2. Another side effect is fainting. Some people faint as soon as they get the shot. However, experts diagnose this as a psychological reaction. Teresa Murray Amato, MD is chair of emergency medicine at Long Island Jewish Forest Hills in New York.
She explains this phenomenon, “Some people can get extremely anxious when they get an injection…” “There’s a drop in blood pressure and heart rate as a reaction to something very emotional or very shocking.” Simple science and biology couple with your psyche can cause this reaction. It’s dramatic, but not serious.
Now you know why healthcare professionals want you to sit, or lay down. They don’t want you to need stitches from falling and hitting your head on something.
Side Effect: Allergic Reaction
3. A third side effect involves allergic reactions, often to the egg base. In the old days, we recommended such people take a different flu vaccine. However, now the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC,) advises “that even those with egg allergies to get the vaccine.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends—If your allergy includes a “history of severe reactions may need to get it with close medical supervision. (Most flu shots and the nasal spray vaccine are made “using egg-based technology” and therefore contain egg proteins, according to the CDC.”) In point of fact, this blogger takes Benadryl before her flu vaccinations, to offset hives and other allergy symptoms.
Side Effect: Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)
4. Guillain-Barré Syndrome is a neurological disorder. It typically affects the peripheral nervous system. It can run the gamut between cases who have a weakness to those who are left with paralysis.
Yes, this disease has been associated with the flu shot, but perhaps incorrectly. “However, research has been inconsistent; many experts question whether there’s a relationship at all.” So don’t believe the Internet propaganda.
According to CDC, “If there is an increased risk of GBS following flu vaccination it is small, on the order of one to two additional GBS cases per million doses of flu vaccine administered.” Plus, the newest research shows that “GBS actually seems to be more common after the actual flu.”
We strongly suggest patients warn their “doctor or vaccine provider.” So, if you’ve had GBS in the past, always seek medical help if you have any unusual symptoms after the flu shot or any other vaccine.”
Side Effect: Fever From Flu Vaccinations?
5. Rounding out our list of side effects from flu vaccinations is the possibility of flu-like symptoms, like our character, Melissa in the opening FLASS scenario, above. According to Ram Neelagiri, MD, medical director of the University of North Carolina Primary and Specialty Care in Brier Creek,“Even though the flu shot can’t cause the actual flu, some people experience body aches, headaches, muscle pain, and other flu-like symptoms after the shot.”
Thus, he agrees with Melissa’s little experience and her symptoms. But he sees such symptoms in a positive light, saying, “Your body might even develop a slight fever.” However, he adds that this is simply “because your immune system is reacting to the antibodies from the vaccine.” (Notice, it is a reaction to the antibodies, not the vaccine itself.)
Dr. Amato explains, “Your body is mounting a smaller immune reaction to the flu shot,” says Dr. Amato. Why you might ask? Dr. Amato hastens to explain it is proof positive that “Your immune system is working.”
Reduced Effects of Symptoms
These symptoms aren’t near as strong as the flu, and they won’t last as long. But naysayers and anti-vaxxers will say they know someone who was sick for weeks after taking their flu vaccinations. Here is the FLASS answer: Such cases were already infected with the flu before they took their flu shot. We would tell Melissa, “In other words, you were already sick, infected with a virus, when you took the flu vaccination. There was no cause and effect relationship.”
You see, the CDC and FLASS (Florida Lung, Asthma and Sleep Specialists) both state, “Full protection from flu vaccinations requires about 2 weeks.
Terrific TakeAways and a Radiant Wrap Up for Flu Vaccinations
As we have said for years, flu vaccinations are safe for most people aged six months and older, including pregnant women. There is no question about it. The flu vaccine is your first, best defense against the flu.
The Flu Vaccine Arms Your Immune System So It Can Respond Against An Encounter With the Flu.
Likewise, we advise you to stay away from people who are diagnosed with the flu and keep your hands washed. Never before have clean hands and a clean environment been more important than in 2020, as we face our flu season and COVID-19.
Remember, even if you do catch the flu, the infection won’t make you as sick as it would if you did not have your flu vaccination to protect you. The flu vaccinations and the COVID-19 precautions are the gateways to a happy, healthy Fall and Winter, in spite of the superstitions and predictions that have grown around 2020.
By the way, after reading this blog, Katelyn took Melissa to get her flu vaccination. Other than a little redness on her arm at the site of the injection, she had no reaction whatsoever this time.