Flu Shots: Everything You Need to Know • Zoie Health (2024)

Introduction

As we approach flu season, it’s essential to be informed about influenza and the benefits of getting a flu shot. The flu shot is a crucial tool in preventing serious illness and limiting the spread of infection. Here’s everything you need to know to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Flu Shots: Everything You Need to Know • Zoie Health (1)

Understanding Influenza

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a viral infection that affects the respiratory system, including the nose, throat, and lungs. While many people experience mild symptoms, such as fever, dry cough, headaches, muscle and joint pains, and a sore throat, the flu can lead to severe complications for others, requiring hospitalisation and potentially leading to death.

Symptoms of the Flu

According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), the most common symptoms of the flu include:

  • Sudden onset of fever
  • Muscle pains and body aches
  • Dry cough
  • Sore throat
  • Runny nose
  • Feeling tired or unwell
  • Headaches

Symptoms usually start one to four days after infection and can last from two to seven days. While most people recover without needing medical treatment, severe cases may require hospitalisation.

Flu Shots: Everything You Need to Know • Zoie Health (2)

How is the Flu Treated?

For most people, bed rest, plenty of fluids, and over-the-counter medication to reduce fever and aches are sufficient. In more severe cases, especially for those at risk of serious illness, doctors may prescribe antiviral medications. It’s important to note that antibiotics are not effective against the flu, as it is caused by a virus, not bacteria.

The Importance of the Flu Shot

The flu shot significantly reduces the risk of contracting the flu and helps prevent the spread of the virus to others. Dr. Noluthando Nematswerani, Discovery Health’s Chief Clinical Officer, explains that the flu shot stimulates the production of antibodies in the body, which protect against infection and serious illness. Each year, new vaccines are developed to match the most prevalent flu strains, ensuring the best possible protection.

Effectiveness of the Flu Shot

The effectiveness of the flu shot can vary, typically reducing the risk of flu illness by 40% to 60% in healthy adults. While this may not seem high, it is a significant level of protection that can prevent millions of flu cases annually. Moreover, the flu shot cannot cause the flu, as it does not contain live virus.

Common Misconceptions About the Flu Shot

1. The Flu Shot Can Cause the Flu:
The injected flu shot contains an inactivated virus, which cannot give you influenza. Any mild symptoms, such as aches or a slight fever, are a normal immune response and usually last only a day or two.

2. The Flu Shot Causes Severe Side Effects:
Severe side effects are extremely rare. One in a million people may develop Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), which causes muscle weakness and paralysis, but the benefits of the flu shot far outweigh these risks.

3. I Had the Flu Shot and Still Got the Flu, So It Doesn’t Work:
Several flu viruses circulate each season, and while the flu shot targets the most common strains, it’s still possible to contract a different strain. However, vaccinated individuals typically experience milder symptoms.

4. Pregnant Women Shouldn’t Get the Flu Shot:
Pregnant women are at higher risk of severe flu complications and should get the flu shot. The inactivated flu shot is safe at any stage of pregnancy and offers protection for both the mother and baby.

Who Should Get the Flu Shot?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends annual flu vaccination for:

  • Pregnant individuals at any stage of pregnancy
  • Children aged six months to five years
  • Elderly individuals (65+ years)
  • Individuals with chronic medical conditions
  • Healthcare workers

Who Should Avoid the Flu Shot?

Certain individuals should avoid the flu shot:

  • Babies younger than six months
  • Anyone with severe, life-threatening allergies to any ingredient in the flu shot
  • Individuals with a history of severe allergic reaction to a previous flu shot

Where Can You Get Your Flu Shot?

Flu shots are widely available at healthcare providers and pharmacies. Be sure to call ahead to ensure availability. Most medical aids cover the flu shot, and some even offer rewards for getting vaccinated.

Conclusion

Getting the flu shot is a crucial step in protecting yourself and others from the potentially severe consequences of influenza. By staying informed and taking preventive measures, you can contribute to a healthier community.

About Zoie Health

Zoie Healthis at the forefront of women’s wellness, offering quality, affordable, and accessible supplements tailored to the unique health needs of women. With a focus on synergy, Zoie Health’s products are designed to work together, providing your body with the comprehensive support it needs to thrive. With our onlineZoie Shop and Pharmacy, our uniquevirtual consultations, andvast communitiesof women, we strive to provide good quality healthcare to underserved populations.

Sources: Discovery, CDC, WHO.

Flu Shots: Everything You Need to Know • Zoie Health (2024)

FAQs

What do I need to know about getting a flu shot? ›

It takes up to two weeks to build immunity after a flu shot. You can benefit from the vaccine even if you don't get it until after the flu season starts. It's usually best for people in the United States to get the flu vaccine in September and October. Aim to get it by the end of October.

How effective is the flu shot in 2024? ›

March 1, 2024 -- The vaccines for this flu season are 41% to 44% effective in preventing flu-related hospitalization in adults and 52% to 61% effective for children, according to estimates in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report issued Thursday.

What to do before taking the flu vaccine? ›

How to prepare for your flu shot
  1. Get plenty of rest. Being well-rested will help your body fight off infection.
  2. Eat a healthy meal. Eating a healthy meal will give you the energy you need to get through your appointment.
  3. Drink plenty of fluids. ...
  4. Dress comfortably.
Aug 31, 2023

What do you need to know about the flu vaccination? ›

It takes up to 2 weeks after having your vaccine for your body to start protecting against flu. As with any vaccine, you may experience some side effects. Most are mild, do not last long and happen in the first few days of having the vaccine. The flu vaccine is not a live vaccine and cannot give you the flu.

How long after a flu shot do you feel unwell? ›

Flu vaccine side effects are generally mild and go away on their own within a few days. Some side effects that may occur from a flu shot include soreness, redness, and/or swelling where the shot was given, headache (low grade), fever, nausea, muscle aches, and fatigue.

What are the bad effects of flu shot? ›

Common side effects after a flu shot include soreness, redness and/or swelling where the shot was given. You may also experience a minor headache, fever, nausea, muscle aches, and fatigue, according to the CDC.

What are valid reasons to decline the flu shot? ›

6 reasons patients avoid flu vaccination
  • I'm healthy, so I don't need a flu vaccine. I'm healthy, so I don't need a flu vaccine. ...
  • The flu vaccine isn't safe and can give me the flu. ...
  • It is better to get sick with the flu. ...
  • I'll wait until flu hits my area. ...
  • I hate getting injections. ...
  • I was vaccinated last year.

What is the downside of a flu jab? ›

The most common side effects of the flu vaccine are mild and get better within 1 to 2 days. They can include: pain or soreness where the injection was given. a slightly raised temperature.

Does a flu shot prevent you from getting sick? ›

While vaccine effectiveness (VE) can vary, recent studies show that flu vaccination reduces the risk of flu illness by between 40% and 60% among the overall population during seasons when most circulating flu viruses are well-matched to those used to make flu vaccines.

How long is the flu shot good for? ›

Yes, the flu shot wears off in about six months. The flu shot does not provide long-lasting protection, which is another reason we need to get one every year. When should I get a flu shot? We typically suggest getting the flu shot in the early fall, before the virus starts circulating in the community.

What to avoid when taking flu vaccine? ›

Food and Drink Considerations
Foods and DrinksReason to Avoid/Consume
Fried, Processed, and Sugary Foods & AlcoholDodge these: Can cause inflammation and dehydration, adding to flu shot side effects like headaches and fatigue.
1 more row
Apr 30, 2024

What is the best thing to do after a flu shot? ›

An ice pack or cold compress can help with soreness and swelling, Davis says. Take a pain reliever. Over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help relieve side effects after your shot, Davis says. Just be sure to talk to your doctor about what medications are OK to take.

What month is best to get a flu shot? ›

It's best to be vaccinated before flu begins spreading in your community. September and October are generally good times to be vaccinated against flu. Ideally, everyone should be vaccinated by the end of October.

What questions do they ask before a flu shot? ›

  • Is the person to be vaccinated sick today?
  • Does the person to be vaccinated have an allergy to an ingredient of the vaccine?
  • Has the person to be vaccinated ever had a serious reaction to influenza vaccine in the past?
  • Has the person to be vaccinated ever had Guillain Barré syndrome?

What are the side effects of this year's flu shot? ›

Common side effects after a flu shot include soreness, redness and/or swelling where the shot was given. You may also experience a minor headache, fever, nausea, muscle aches, and fatigue, according to the CDC.

How long is the flu shot effective? ›

The CDC recommends that everyone in the U.S. ages 6 months and older get vaccinated for the flu. After getting a shot, it takes the body about 2 weeks to make enough antibodies for maximum protection, Regan said, and the effectiveness typically lasts at least 4 months.

How long are you contagious with the flu? ›

Period of Contagiousness

People with flu are most contagious during the first 3 days of their illness. Some otherwise healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after becoming sick.

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