Or just may it milder if you get it?
2007-10-29 12:34:40 · 3 answers · asked by Sugar 7 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
It stops it dead in its tracks. But there are some small catches. Each year, some really smart epidemiologists at the CDC pick three or four strains of flu that are going to be the big ones that year. Those are the ones the shot protects you against. I only know of one year that they missed one, which is a pretty good track record, but it's possible they might miss one again. So, it's not 100%.
It also doesn't do anything to prevent colds, or other viral infections. Some people think they make them less severe, but that may just be a placebo effect.
In any case, I still think the flu shot is worth it. Flu is pretty miserable!
2007-10-29 12:58:03 · answer #1 · answered by Emmy 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the flu shot this year covers three strains of influenza virus. Those three you will not get if you get the shot. Of course there are other viruses out there that you may get, but the flu shot will inhibit the severity of any virus you catch.
2007-10-29 12:39:54 · answer #2 · answered by essentiallysolo 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The first poster "The only" got it right.
There are 3 strains in the vaccine. But, its not the CDC that picks the most likely strains to go into the vaccine.
Its the WHO (World Health Organization).
2007-10-29 13:10:58 · answer #3 · answered by Tech 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋