2006-12-03 11:16:54 · 4 answers · asked by Tee-Tee 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
Ok, first off, contrary to what some people obvious believe, the flu shot does not give you the flu. You can get "flu-like symptoms," because those symptoms are caused by your immune system. It is reacting to the shot and creating antibodies, so that it can react quickly when it detects the antibodies of a pathogen (in this case, the influenza virus). You can rest assured that if that virus did get into your system, the "flu-like symptoms" would be MUCH worse, and would last much longer. Oh yes, and lets not forget the potential to be much more deadly ;)
Fear not people who believe you can get the flu from vaccines, there are well educated people who should know better who believe this as well. It really is hard to teach someone otherwise when they just "know" something is true. I met a Nurse the other day who was convinced she contracted the flu from her vaccine...so you're in good company ;)
The vaccines are to a large extent a shot in the dark. The scientists figure out what influenza strain the country is most likely to encounter that season and make the vaccine for it. However, if a mutation occurs (antigenic shift or drift), OR if a different influenza strain winds up being the main pathogen that season...all bets are off.
And so, without further delay.....
Pros: You don't get the flu, don't have to lose money staying home from work, etc.
Cons: potential for "flu-like" symptoms, or scientists off the mark and you get the flu anyway.
2006-12-03 11:38:06 · answer #1 · answered by cosper123 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My doctor told me that at least 10% of people who get flu shots become sick with flu symptoms as a result of the shot. A few minutes after he told me this (last Thursday) I was talking with a woman in the waiting room, and she told me the last time she got a flu shot she became sick with the flu for several days.
So, there's some risk.
2006-12-03 11:27:27 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
pro: protects you from the flu
con: makes you feel like you have the flu. it has the flu virus in it so your body can build up antibodies.
2006-12-03 11:26:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
pros: no flu
cons: its a shot and it'll probably hurt a little bit
2006-12-03 11:21:05 · answer #4 · answered by camm300 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋