Busting myths about the flu [Infographic]

Don’t let dangerous info information you into hurt’s approach this flu season. Know the distinction between what’s true in regards to the influenza vaccine and what’s false. Then go get vaccinated.

Fable: The vaccine can provide the flu.

Truth: Many individuals surprise, “Can the flu shot make you sick?” or “Are you able to get sick from the flu shot?” The reply is not any. OSF HealthCare provides vaccines that aren’t dwell viruses and can’t infect you. The vaccine received’t make you sick or provide the flu. You usually tend to get the flu or severely sick for those who don’t get the flu shot.

For instance, Flucelvax Quadrivalent is a standard vaccine given. It accommodates “killed” or inactive flu viruses. It helps stop subtypes A and kinds B of influenza. It’s redeveloped every year to guard in opposition to the dominant strains of the virus for that season.

Fable: You don’t must get vaccinated yearly.

Truth: Immunity to the influenza virus declines over time, so you need to get the flu shot yearly for optimum safety. Plus, the vaccine is up to date yearly to guard in opposition to the flu strains anticipated to be most typical.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that every one these age 6 months and older get the flu vaccine yearly.

Fable: Getting vaccinated ensures you’ll be able to’t get the flu.

Truth: It takes as much as two weeks after getting vaccinated to construct up immunity to the flu. You possibly can nonetheless get sick throughout this era. Plus, even after getting vaccinated, you can nonetheless catch the flu, nonetheless you’re extra prone to keep away from getting severely unwell and have a a lot smaller danger of hospitalization or demise. Take steps to forestall the unfold of germs throughout the flu season.

Fable: The flu is just not harmful.

Truth: The flu causes the deaths of 1000’s of individuals yearly. The very younger, the very previous or individuals with well being points are particularly vulnerable to harmful results of the flu.

Getting the flu vaccine helps cut back the danger of significant sickness and problems.

Fable: The flu vaccine uncomfortable side effects are worse than getting the flu.

Truth: Negative effects might embrace soreness, redness, or swelling the place the shot was given, fever, muscle aches, nausea, fatigue, runny nostril, headache, sore throat and cough.

Negative effects are often gentle and short-lasting. Getting contaminated with the flu typically ends in extra disagreeable, longer-lasting signs.

Fable: Folks with a latex allergy can’t get vaccinated.

Truth: OSF HealthCare provides vaccines that don’t include any latex. These with any flu shot allergy ought to speak with their main care supplier to make sure they select the most suitable choice to guard in opposition to the flu, which incorporates pleasant choices like a latex allergy flu shot.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted a number of flu vaccine choices, together with a shot or nasal spray.

Fable: People who find themselves allergic to eggs can’t get vaccinated.

Truth: In line with the CDC, “individuals with a historical past of egg allergy of any severity ought to obtain any licensed, really useful and age-appropriate influenza vaccine.”

In case you have any allergy, particularly individuals with egg allergy symptoms, speak along with your main care supplier about which vaccine is the perfect for you.

Fable: There may be mercury in flu pictures.

Truth: It was once normal for there to be thimerosal in vaccines. Thimerosal accommodates ethylmercury. In small doses, ethylmercury is just not dangerous to people. Nevertheless, it isn’t as widespread to search out thimerosal within the flu vaccine anymore.

In line with the CDC, “Flu vaccines in multi-dose vials include thimerosal to safeguard in opposition to contamination of the vial. Most single-dose vials and pre-filled syringes of flu shot and the nasal spray flu vaccine don’t include a preservative as a result of they’re supposed for use as soon as.”

OSF HealthCare provides the one-dose flu shot, which is thimerosal free. The 2-dose vaccine has a small quantity of thimerosal, containing a degree that’s completely secure for people.

Final Up to date: October 3, 2022