I am just curious as to why some people have an aversion to flu shots or dont believe in them?
2007-01-25 11:43:00 · 14 answers · asked by LuLuBelle 4 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
The flu shot makes your immune system become active, developing "antibodies and memory cells" that will respond to the real flu if you are exposed to it. Sometimes, this will cause what is termed a "flu-like" syndrome. For this reason, some people do not want to get the flu shot and they swear it "gave them the flu." (When, according to your imunse system sort of did.)
Also, since the stuff they use to develop the viral antigen is on eggs, anyone with an egg allergy cannot get a flu shot.
2007-01-25 11:54:47 · answer #1 · answered by dustoff 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The aversion to them stems from the belief if I am careful, I won't come in contact with the disease so I won't get sick. A flu shot is giving the patient a watered down version of the flu, so that the body can build up antibodies to protect against full exposure to it. You will still get the flu, however, you will live thru it.
Some figure that if everybody else gets the flu shot then there is no bug to be transmitted. The bug will still be transmitted, (and for those who have had the shot) it just won't affect them as bad.
Getting the shot after is like closing the gate after the horses have stampeded out.
A little late.
2007-01-25 19:54:25 · answer #2 · answered by ButwhatdoIno? 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Greetings:
I can tell you from experience as a physician that the reason why some people are averse to getting a flu shot is that they think it can cause you to get the flu. Now, many years ago, when they were making flu shots out of the live virus, you could get a mild case of the flu from the vaccine. Do you remember the "swine flu"? They made the vaccines from live viruses.
Today, they take just a little piece of the protein coat of the most common strains of the influenza virus to make the vaccine. When introduced into the body, your immune system recognizes that particular protein coat after it has made antibodies to it when you get the flu shot. There is absolutely no way you can get the flu nowadays from getting the shot. Still, many patients are afraid because they heard stories from their parents or older individuals.
I hope this answered your question.
Best to you,
Warren Shaffer, M.D.
2007-01-25 19:51:00 · answer #3 · answered by doctordad 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There is always a chance that you will be allergic to the shot or a small chance you could become infected. The government has been known to inoculate members of the armed forces with some questionable vaccines. I'm referring to the oil used in some vaccinations for people in Desert Storm. The early flu shots I was suspect of, but will probably get one next year. I was in health care.
2007-01-25 19:55:32 · answer #4 · answered by lyyman 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have never had one and doubt if I ever will. The reason for me is that my doctor told me they were using mercury as a preservative in them and mercury is bad for the body. also, I know there are many strains of flu out there and the chances that they will hit on exactly the right ones in the shot seem extremely random to me. I know there are articles and studies out there that will say the mercury in flu shots has no correlation to later Alzheimer's or ADHD. However, the choice that feels right for me is not to have one. It's a personal choice.
If you are a conspiracy theorist, what better way to ensure population control than to slip a little something into flu shots and even vaccinations? I am not a conspiracy theorist, but it's mildy intriguing.
2007-01-25 19:53:49 · answer #5 · answered by lifeisagift 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are healthy - dont take it. If you are middle-aged, let kids and older people get ahead in the line. I have taken the shot only ONCE and can't recollect if that one year was any better than others! So, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
2007-01-25 19:58:03 · answer #6 · answered by RS 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some people are still freaked out about getting a shot....other people who are allergic to eggs won't be able to recieve the shot. Everyone should get this injection whenever they can. It's the smart thing to do. I make sure I get mine every year.
2007-01-25 19:51:36 · answer #7 · answered by cajunrescuemedic 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I highly recommend the flu shot. I didn't last year bc I was "too busy." Now I really regret it.
2007-01-25 19:52:10 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The virus mutates and makes flu shots useless.Some people may get sick because they have a weak immune system.I would not waste my time getting one.
2007-01-25 19:50:50 · answer #9 · answered by adam p 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
My dad has to get one because he is older . My mom on the other hand hates them because she says it has given her the flu.
2007-01-25 19:52:35 · answer #10 · answered by southg11 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋