Subject: RE: Flu shots and colds Bettylou - 2005-10-24 3:26 PM
The one and only time that I got the flu shot, I got the flu (I know they inject the virus into you, so I figured that's why???) So I don't plan on getting another one.
The molecular biologist in me just had to respond to this. I'm not trying to be argumentative, just spread information.
The flu shot is just dead virus coats. There is no live virus. That's why they can give it to immuno-compromised patients. If you got the flu after you got the shot, you either got a different strain of the virus that wasn't in your flu shot or you had already been exposed.
If you are worried about getting the flu after you get a shot, do not take the nasal spray. That is made with live virus. That's why they can't give it to high-risk individuals.
Overall, the flu shot is not such a bad thing. My doc strongly recommends getting them for me because I get really bad asthma any time I get a cold. The flu would be so much worse. I've already gotten my shot this year. I have noticed that I get sick less often since I started training, but I'm not willing to take the risk with the flu shot. |