How different are the two group of virusses, too different? Would the challenge to the immune system in a healthy adult also increase the immune response to other diseases (we've been arguing whether it helps or not, it shouldn't really, but one person says since he is getting flu shots every year he hasn't had a cold)
2007-02-28 07:59:21 · 3 answers · asked by convictedidiot 5 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
Unfortunately, cold viruses are many a varied and not similar enough to flu virus to give cross immunity. Consider the flu vaccine must be changed every year as small changes in the type of flu make previous vaccines ineffective.
2007-02-28 08:05:53 · answer #1 · answered by Jeffrey P 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Flu shots are very specific and would only work against the particular strains that it is designed to act against. Flu shots commonly target the influenza virus, whereas the "cold" is a viral infection caused by various viruses other than influenza, and cause milder symptoms. So the answer to your question would be no. Sometimes flu shots may not even cover all flu strains that are circulating, let alone other common cold viruses.
2007-02-28 18:30:15 · answer #2 · answered by goohoo 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I read an article about a possible connection between the two not too long ago.
2007-02-28 16:06:38 · answer #3 · answered by Clay B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋