Flu season is upon us and that means high fevers and stomach pains, for some of us. But for those of us who get vaccinated well be the lucky ones who don’t have to go threw the pain and suffering of the flu. With all the research out there today some people do still insist on not getting a yearly flu shot claiming it will just make them sick or it is only for those who are less healthy. Well that simply is not true, there are more then a couple false myths out there about the flu, but all are false according to doctors. Lets take the first one for instance, that the flu shot will make you sick or give you the flu. According to Dr. Su Wang, assistant director of medical affairs for the Charles B. Wang Community Health Center in New York City this is simply impossible, Dr. Wang says

The flu shot contains three strains of inactive flu virus. Because the virus is dead, it cannot reproduce in the body, but it can stimulate the body to build immunity to the virus. Similar to the chickenpox vaccine, the nasal spray vaccination, called FluMist, contains a weakened live virus. The weakened virus is not potent enough to sicken the body, but will help it develop antibodies that protect against the flu.

So for those who say the flu shot will give them the flu or make them sick, well that simply isn’t possible. As the Doctor says, the virus is dead and it can’t reproduce.

Another myth out there is, I have been vaccinated before and still got sick. Well many people confuse a common cold with a flu. If you have a fever then there is a good chance you got the flu, but if you are coughing and sneezing and don’t have a fever you probably just got a cold, which is not prevented with a flu shot.

Lastly, some people thing that just because they are healthy they don’t need the flu shot. Well it is true that a majority of healthy people are not at risk for the most severe symptoms of the flu virus, but the people around them might be and if you are around them and they contract the virus then that will increase your chances of getting the virus. So it is still a good idea for healthy people to get a flu shot.

Even though a flu shot is not 100% guaranteed to keep you from getting the flu, on good years it is 70-90% effective at preventing you from contracting the flu virus. Even if you do still get infected, the symptoms should not be as severe as if you didn’t get the shot at all. So get yourself a flu shot and stay healthy and active this winter!