Every. Year. It never fails. During this time we are hounded about receiving our flu shot. For most of us, we understand the general concept: flu shot = not getting sick, hopefully. However, how many of us actually grasp the details of this process? Is it really worth it? Why it is important? Let’s delve into that.
Influenza (AKA ‘the flu’) is a generalized name for an entire grouping of viral strains of influenza: influenza A H1N1 and H3N2 and two influenza B strains (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016). At this point, I would like to emphasize the word viral. Contrary to popular belief, you cannot take antibiotics for the flu. Keeping your leftover antibiotics and taking them for a viral ailment (i.e. common cold, influenza, etc.) will not help you in any way. In fact, this can actually harm you. Taking an abundance of antibiotics, or when you don’t need them, can cause resistance within your body so the next time you do need antibiotics, they will not be as effective. Please, just don’t do it. It simply won’t work. Listen to your doctors. That is what they are they for. Self-diagnosis and WebMD will not replace your physician!
The most interesting part of this ever-evolving vaccine, to me, is that health care professionals and scientists work year-round trying to predict the next strain of the flu to protect us against because these viral strains evolve so quickly (i.e. mutation and other ‘science-y’ sounding stuff). Meaning, last year’s vaccine might not protect you from this year’s strains (Mayo Clinic, 2016). This is why professionals advise on receiving the vaccine each year. To many, they can’t understand why they themselves need a vaccine against something they think they can handle. Many anti-vaccers have this idea as well (those against receiving any vaccines). However, by protecting yourself against disease, you are also protecting those who are not able to receive vaccines by not spreading the disease to them. Try to think of this strategy as “community immunity”. By having as many people as possible vaccinated, the chances of those with weakened immune systems and those who are not able to receive the vaccine (cancer patients, elderly, infants, etc.) falling ill are low. In fact, it is estimated that 20-30% of people show no symptoms of the flu even though they are carrying the virus (Harvard, 2009).
“But the flu is just a week-long upset stomach right? No one is really harmed by it. Anyone can get over it.” Wrong. Additionally, the flu is highly underestimated in its lethal power. In the U.S. alone, 200,000 people become hospitalized and 36,000 people die from the flu (Harvard, 2009). Along with the unsightly and annoying cold symptoms of sore throats and runny noses, you can become feverish, have diarrhea/vomiting, and become extremely fatigued (Mayo Clinic, 2016).
“Well, if I do fall ill. I know what to do. Starve a fever right?” Please never rely on Grandma’s home remedies. Nothing against Grandma, but not only do most of them don’t work, they can make a bad situation even worse. By not feeding your body proper nutrition and fluids, you put yourself at a higher risk of complication and death. Think of your body as a machine. In a way it truly is, but I digress. For example, if you feed your car cheap gas, don’t change the oil, and never have maintenance done, will it drive it’s best? Nope. It might even break-down on a road trip. The same is true for your body. Your body needs proper calories and nutrition to fight-off the disease inside. If you don’t give your army the ammunition it needs, it will fail.
I’m sure we will go through this again next year, the year after, and so forth. What does have a great impact on people is education. By researching and getting facts for you yourself, you can not only arm yourself, but correct any uninformed person to create change. Be an advocate for not only your own health, but your “community immunity”.
Leave a Reply