Fighting the Flu

It’s the season to answer the age-old question: flu shot or not?

As the seasons change, one question begins to make its way into many people’s minds: Should I get the flu shot or not?

While there is no scientific answer to this question, families should weigh the pros and cons of getting a flu shot with their physician in order to make the best decision. One thing to note, however, is that if you’re allergic to eggs, you should not get the shot since it’s cultivated inside chicken eggs and contains egg proteins.

Here are some other things to consider before deciding whether the flu shot is the best option for you and your family this season:

Getting the flu shot will not give you the flu because it is made from a weakened form of the virus. However, getting the flu shot doesn’t guarantee protection from the flu either and it usually takes about two weeks for the vaccine to kick in.

There are three types of flu shots: nasal spray, multi-dose and single-dose vials of vaccinations. The only flu vaccination that contains mercury is the multi-dose vaccine. The inclusion of mercury as a preservative has been linked to some brain and nerve disorders.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends that everyone older than 6 months should get a flu shot every year. Whether you use the nasal spray or the vaccination, the effects will be the same.

Some immediate side effects of the vaccine include soreness in the area of injection, and low fever and achiness. The good news is that these symptoms clear up within a day or two.

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