5 ms·

Current Flu shots have few side effects, and decent protection. I believe there is a chance of mild flu-like symptoms, a chance of ache near the injection site

Current Flu shots have few side effects, and decent protection. I believe there is a chance of mild flu-like symptoms, a chance of ache near the injection site for a day or two. The CDC has changed stances to recommend everyone (over 6 months) get a flu shot every season. The CDC has a good rundown: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/flushot.htm http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/flushot.htm

ianlevesque 12y ago
The injected flu shot has completely inactivated (colloquially, dead) virus and cannot cause flu like symptoms. Recent formulation removed the egg allergy restrictions as well. There's effectively no reason for anyone to avoid being vaccinated.
- jrkatz 12y ago
  My understanding has always been that since the dead virus works by triggering an immune response, 'symptoms' (that are actually part of the immune response, e.g. fever, soreness) can still occur, though they end quickly, as the body easily 'beats' the non-reproducing virus. Is this not the case? Regardless, a person with nothing to fear from the flu getting the shot anyhow and having a fever for a few hours sounds like a cakewalk compared to what happens if they don't and infect me, even through my vaccination: I am very asthmatic and the flu for me can easily turn into months of bronchitis, or -- even worse -- pneumonia and hospital trips. People like me rely on herd immunity to supplement our own vaccinations. Please get vaccinated.
  - ianlevesque 12y ago
    It's easiest to just go straight to the source for this info: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/vaccine_safety.htm http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/vaccine_saf... The two key points: 1. "The most frequent reactions reported after vaccination in children and adults are pain and other injection-site reactions. Up to 64% of people vaccinated with IIV experience pain at the injection site, which usually resolves in <2 days without treatment." 2. "Fever, malaise, myalgia, and other systemic symptoms that can occur after vaccination with IIV most often affect persons who have had no previous exposure to the influenza virus antigens in the vaccine (e.g., young children). In adults the rate of having these events is similar after IIV and after a placebo injection." So other than your arm aching for <2 days where injected, the 'symptoms' are no more common than a placebo injection.
  - 13 12y ago
    The "symptoms" are a nocebo effect, or just that people usually get the shot around the same time that they got the flu anyway. The idea that you somehow get a weak version of the flu is a misconception.
  - phkahler 12y ago
    Asthma: Please look into Magnesium, Iodine, and if you're over weight do what you can about that too. These things did wonders for my asthma. YMMV of course.

ianlevesque 12y ago

The injected flu shot has completely inactivated (colloquially, dead) virus and cannot cause flu like symptoms. Recent formulation removed the egg allergy restrictions as well. There's effectively no reason for anyone to avoid being vaccinated.

jrkatz 12y ago
My understanding has always been that since the dead virus works by triggering an immune response, 'symptoms' (that are actually part of the immune response, e.g. fever, soreness) can still occur, though they end quickly, as the body easily 'beats' the non-reproducing virus. Is this not the case? Regardless, a person with nothing to fear from the flu getting the shot anyhow and having a fever for a few hours sounds like a cakewalk compared to what happens if they don't and infect me, even through my vaccination: I am very asthmatic and the flu for me can easily turn into months of bronchitis, or -- even worse -- pneumonia and hospital trips. People like me rely on herd immunity to supplement our own vaccinations. Please get vaccinated.
- ianlevesque 12y ago
  It's easiest to just go straight to the source for this info: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/vaccine_safety.htm http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/vaccine_saf... The two key points: 1. "The most frequent reactions reported after vaccination in children and adults are pain and other injection-site reactions. Up to 64% of people vaccinated with IIV experience pain at the injection site, which usually resolves in <2 days without treatment." 2. "Fever, malaise, myalgia, and other systemic symptoms that can occur after vaccination with IIV most often affect persons who have had no previous exposure to the influenza virus antigens in the vaccine (e.g., young children). In adults the rate of having these events is similar after IIV and after a placebo injection." So other than your arm aching for <2 days where injected, the 'symptoms' are no more common than a placebo injection.
- 13 12y ago
  The "symptoms" are a nocebo effect, or just that people usually get the shot around the same time that they got the flu anyway. The idea that you somehow get a weak version of the flu is a misconception.
- phkahler 12y ago
  Asthma: Please look into Magnesium, Iodine, and if you're over weight do what you can about that too. These things did wonders for my asthma. YMMV of course.