Here is information from SELF magazine on flu shots- who should get them and how they work. Just a tidbit of info that everyone should know. Plus, a bonus- this year may be ouch-free!
5 Things You Must Know Before Getting the Flu Shot
The flu causes approximately 5 million illnesses each year, and you don't want to be one of the victims. It's miserable!
We called on pharmacists and sorted through the latest Centers for Disease Control data and studies to come up with this list of things you should know before getting vaccinated.
And it not only protects you: A recent study in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine suggests that babies born to moms who get the flu shot may have some additional protection against the virus (since they can't get vaccinated until they're 6 months old, this is a very good thing!).
Do not opt for the nasal spray vaccine -- which contains a weakened "live" virus -- and, if you're worried about Thimerasol in the vaccine, preservative-free versions are available, says Stacia Woodcock, a Walgreens pharmacy manager in New York. Check in with your doc for details.
2. Feeling sniffly? Don't blame the shot. It is a myth that you can catch the flu from the vaccine. According to Amy Arbogast, a CVS pharmacist in Indianapolis, Ind., the injectable flu shot contains viruses that are inactive -- literally dead viruses. "Because flu season typically coincides with cough and cold season, people may mistake cold symptoms for flu systems."
3. One and done. You only need to get one shot.
4. Make it painless. If you tend to get anxious before getting a shot, be sure to eat and drink something beforehand to help prevent nerve-related nausea, says Martha Sullivan, director of health services at the College of the Holy Cross. And, hey, throw in something sweet: In some studies, kids who were given sugar before an injection felt less pain.
5. One excuse not to get the flu shot. If you're allergic to eggs or think you might be, talk to your doc before getting stuck.
Click here to find flu shot locations near you.
A bonus: This year, you may be able to skip the big, scary needle that shoots deep into your arm muscle and opt for a thinner, shorter needle that barely pricks your forearm.
The so-called "ouchless" needles are less than one-10th of an inch long and are about the width of a human hair, according to ABC News. Compare that to the one-and-a-half-inch needles used for a standard flu shot.
Health officials say it takes at least two weeks for vaccines to start becoming effective. In the meantime, don't forget the obvious ways to boost your immune function: Get plenty of rest, eat a well-balanced diet boasting loads of fruits and vegetables, exercise regularly and wash your hands!
We've got a few other strategies to help you shore up your immune system so you can get through the season sick-free:
- Eat chicken soup: Chicken contains an amino acid called cysteine that prevents inflammation in the nose and thins nasal mucus. Plus, chicken soup usually contains fresh garlic and onions, both of which contain powerful immune-enhancing chemicals. A bonus: If you're already sick, the hot liquid also helps soothe a sore throat.
- Take warm or hot baths: Taking a hot or warm bath helps stimulate blood and lymph circulation, which can help rid the body of toxins more efficiently.
- Drink fluids: Hot tea is best since it can help increase the mucus flow in your nose and flush out the virus.
- Lose the booze: A glass of wine with dinner is OK, but more than that and you may compromise your immune system. As little as two drinks a day can reduce antibody production by two-thirds, say experts.
- Skip sugary foods and sodas. Studies suggest that consuming 75-100 grams of refined sugar (about two 12-ounce cans of soda) reduces the ability of white blood cells to engulf foreign bacteria by 40 percent.
For more information about the seasonal flu vaccine, please visit the CDC website.
Health officials say it takes at least two weeks for vaccines to start becoming effective. In the meantime, don't forget the obvious ways to boost your immune function: Get plenty of rest, eat a well-balanced diet boasting loads of fruits and vegetables, exercise regularly and wash your hands!
We've got a few other strategies to help you shore up your immune system so you can get through the season sick-free:
- Eat chicken soup: Chicken contains an amino acid called cysteine that prevents inflammation in the nose and thins nasal mucus. Plus, chicken soup usually contains fresh garlic and onions, both of which contain powerful immune-enhancing chemicals. A bonus: If you're already sick, the hot liquid also helps soothe a sore throat.
- Take warm or hot baths: Taking a hot or warm bath helps stimulate blood and lymph circulation, which can help rid the body of toxins more efficiently.
- Drink fluids: Hot tea is best since it can help increase the mucus flow in your nose and flush out the virus.
- Lose the booze: A glass of wine with dinner is OK, but more than that and you may compromise your immune system. As little as two drinks a day can reduce antibody production by two-thirds, say experts.
- Skip sugary foods and sodas. Studies suggest that consuming 75-100 grams of refined sugar (about two 12-ounce cans of soda) reduces the ability of white blood cells to engulf foreign bacteria by 40 percent.
For more information about the seasonal flu vaccine, please visit the CDC website.
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