Flu+Vaccine


 * Flu Vaccine**

Two Types 1) Injectable Shot 2) Nasal Spray
 * made of a killed virus
 * made of a weakened/attenuated virus

How do they work?
 * The virus that is in the vaccine stimulates an immune system reaction. This, in turn, causes the B-cells to make memory cells so that when the body is infected by another flu virus, it can have a much faster immune response. It takes about two weeks for this happen.
 * It is made up of a cocktail of many different strains of the virus that scientists think will be the one that will infect us. They make a new one every year because it changes.
 * The vaccine will not work if you get if while in the middle of having the flu! In fact, it might make you sicker! Make sure to get the vaccine early, especially if you fall into one of the categories listed below!

Complications
 * The vaccine is made from hen eggs. So, if you have an egg allergy, don't take it unless you get desensitized over time.
 * It may not work because the vaccine is made up of a cocktail of guesses.
 * major side affects are rare and only last a couple of days
 * side effects from flu shot- since it is made from an inactivated (killed) virus, you can't get the flu from it
 * Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
 * Fever (low grade)
 * Aches
 * side effects from nasal spray- it is made from an attenuated (weakened) virus, so it has a few more side effects but nothing as sever as the flu itself (though there have been rare cases where people contracted the flu from this vaccine)
 * in children
 * runny nose
 * wheezing
 * headache
 * vomiting
 * muscle aches
 * fever
 * in adults
 * runny nose
 * headache
 * sore throat
 * cough

Who should get it?
 * All children 6 through 59 months of age
 * Adults 65 years of age and older
 * Persons aged 2 through 64 years with underlying chronic medical conditions
 * All women who will be pregnant during the influenza season
 * Health-care workers involved in direct patient care
 * Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities
 * Children aged 6 months to 18 years on chronic aspirin therapy
 * Out-of-home caregivers and household contacts of children less than 6 months old
 * Persons with any condition that can compromise respiratory function, e.g. cognitive dysfunction

Who should NOT get the vaccine without talking to their doctor?
 * People who have a severe allergy to chicken eggs.
 * People who have had a severe reaction to an influenza vaccination in the past.
 * People who developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) within 6 weeks of getting an influenza vaccine previously.
 * Children less than 6 months old
 * People who have a moderate or severe illness with a fever should wait to get vaccinated until their symptoms lessen.