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The most effective way to protect yourself and those around you from getting the flu is to get a flu shot. Keep reading to learn flu myths and flu facts.
“I got a flu shot once and it gave me the flu.”
Fact: The flu shot can’t give you the flu. The dead or weakened flu viruses in the vaccine only help your body create an immune response but aren’t strong enough to give you the disease. Some people have minor body aches, a low-grade fever, or a sore throat for a day or two after receiving the flu vaccine, but these are side effects from the vaccine itself. Actual flu symptoms are much more debilitating and can last for five or more days.
“I got the flu shot and still got the flu. I was throwing up for three days.”
Fact: Although it’s often called the stomach “flu,” intestinal viruses are different from the (respiratory) influenza virus. As a result, the flu vaccine won’t protect us from intestinal diseases such as norovirus or food-borne diseases such as salmonella. If nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting are the main symptoms of your disease, it’s probably not influenza. Adults rarely suffer from these symptoms with influenza (although children may).
“I got the flu shot and I still got the flu this year.”
Fact: Under certain conditions, one may receive a flu vaccine but still catch the flu.
Exposure to an influenza virus less than two weeks after receiving the vaccine: If you’re exposed to a flu virus before your body has a chance to mount a full immune response, you run the risk of catching the flu.
Exposure to an influenza virus that’s different from those in the current vaccine: A panel of health experts selects four influenza strains for the vaccine each year. Because this decision must be made 12 months in advance to allow for production, there’s a chance that a strain could arise that isn’t covered by the year’s vaccine. In this case, people will be vulnerable to the new strain even if they received a vaccine (vaccinated people will often have less severe symptoms of the new strain, however.)
Exposure to a “flu-like” virus: During the winter months, many viruses circulate that create symptoms that are similar to the flu but aren’t influenza viruses. The flu vaccine won't protect against these other respiratory viruses.
Weakened immune systems: People with weakened immune systems may not be able to mount a sufficient immune response after receiving the flu vaccine and are thus vulnerable.
You play a part in keeping our workforce, your loved ones and your community healthy. Our 50+ on-site clinics provide a convenient option for you to get your flu shot at no cost.
Source: Quest Diagnostics
