I've already had the flu this year and was wondering if I have immunity from it. I didn't get a flu shot this year, maybe I should have?
2007-02-17 07:28:58 · 28 answers · asked by Calista77 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
You are only immune to the particular strain you caught. You are not immune to mutations and/or other strains. The flu vaccine is remade each year based on the strains the WHO thinks are the most likely to be widespread in any particular year. It is a good idea to get the vaccine, as it lowers the incidence of getting seriously ill. However, good handwashing is also helpful.
2007-02-17 08:05:09 · answer #1 · answered by adreadreamam 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You won't catch the same flu you just had, but the Flu virus has the ability to alter it's outer surface so each year a new population of Flu virus with a different surface arises. There is a general pattern to the order in which the changes to the surface coating are made. Scientists guess which one or ones will be next and that's how they come up with a new and different flu vaccine each year. And that's why each year you can get the flu all over again (unless you get the new flu shot).
2007-02-17 20:41:09 · answer #2 · answered by BP 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have some immunity to the strain you got. Not complete immunity.
Now, flu shots don't protect against EVERY strain of flu, just the ones projected to be the most common that year.
I wouldn't bother getting a flu shot for this season...it's a little late for that.
Next year, maybe. Especially if you're around kids or old people or people with lowered immunity.
Wash your hands, don't touch your face without washing your hands first, gargle with salt water, take some Airborne or a generic version of it...it helps.
But year to year, the strains change, sometimes even faster. For instance, my dad works at an airport and everybody who worked there and their families all got this horrible flu last winter. But only people in close contact with the aircraft workers. So we're pretty sure it was in the ventilation system of the planes.
So take precautions. Just not after the fact.
2007-02-17 16:58:52 · answer #3 · answered by SlowClap 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The problem is there are many strains of the flu going around and the virus mutates as well, so if you've had the flu that doesn't mean you aren't vulnerable to a different strain.
2007-02-17 15:31:50 · answer #4 · answered by TM 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Even if you get the shot, there are plenty of strands of flu, you will not be immune to them all.
2007-02-17 15:36:32 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, I used to get it every year when I was in college... Now I get it once a year, every couple of years. I never bother with a flu shot.
2007-02-17 15:31:38 · answer #6 · answered by scruffycat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your body develops antibodies for that particular strain of the flu, so if it comes along again you'll be safe. But flu 'viri' (plural of virusus?) are working hard all the time to mutate and those you will be able to catch!
Good luck!
.
2007-02-17 16:37:11 · answer #7 · answered by Freesumpin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO, you are not, in one season there are about 12 different types of flu going around, so you had one you could get the other 11. I find the best way to protect yourself is to take panex ginseng liquid form.
2007-02-17 18:01:42 · answer #8 · answered by Bruce 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no because there are different forms of the flu that you may not be imune to get a flu shot to prevent all of the different virus types of the flu
2007-02-17 15:31:30 · answer #9 · answered by ~Soul Socks~ aka <Spiderwebs& 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Each year 2 to 5 strains are included in the vaccine. You have had one. That leaves up to 4 more to go. That is also assuming that this year the vaccine matches up with the circulating strains. Go get vaccinated.
2007-02-17 16:16:39 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋