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5 Things You Should Know About Flu Shot

Flu Shot

With the autumn season already approaching, flu cases are expected to rise in upcoming months. What people refer to as the Flu season starts around October and extends up to May. During these months, flu is expected to infect several people of different ages. Fever, cough, sore throat and other flu symptoms can be as frustrating as it is painful to the body. Severe cases can hamper your day to day life, make kids skip school, or people to call in sick for work. These medical conditions, with the physical struggle and cost of medicines just to ease out the symptoms, can be a real hassle.

You can reduce the chances of contracting the flu virus by getting a flu shot. But, before you get yourself vaccinated, you need to know these facts about the flu shot.

Everybody can get it

Flu Shot

Anyone can get a flu shot, except babies younger than 6 months and people with severe addiction to the vaccine or its ingredients. Others with related health problems need to consult their physicians. Otherwise, kids, adults and even the elderly can get a flu shot before the flu season commences finally. It is highly recommended by health professionals.

No immediate and lasting effect

A flu shot takes two full weeks to take effect and protect you from contracting flu virus. This is why you need to vaccinate earlier, at least 3 weeks to a month before the flu season. As well, its effect is not lasting as it only protects you for a year. This is due to the decrease in the number of antibodies produced by your immune system in response to the vaccine over time. Hence, it is advisable to take flu shots every year before flu season.

Administered in various ways

There are different ways to deliver a flu shot, which include jet injector, intramuscular, intradermal, and nasal spray. Thus, you can choose your preferred mode of getting flu shot, as one can be as effective as the other. Non- skin penetrating methods like jet injector and nasal spray are popular among kids and young adults, while there are still many who prefer getting it through injections.

Protects you from 3 or 4 influenza strains

Flu Shot

Flu shot protects you from either three or four flu strains. Trivalent vaccines protect you from three common strains circulating today including influenza A (H1N1), influenza A (H3N2) and influenza B virus. Quadrivalent vaccine, on the other hand, protects you from these 3 strains and another one.

Still possible to get infected with flu

Even after getting a flu shot, you can still get flu virus due to instances like being exposed to the virus before vaccination. Exposure to a new strain not included in the seasonal flu shot, or your biological makeup still makes you susceptible, which is a rare case.

Be prepared and get your flu shot as soon as possible to avoid the stress and hassle of contracting flu.

Article Submitted By Community Writer

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