应对流感，你做好准备了吗？流感疫苗会让你得流感吗？快看流感问答

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Summer is fading, and autumn and winter are arriving as scheduled. As the weather gets colder, the flu season is upon us. Are you ready? To cope with the flu, let's first understand what the flu is. First, the flu is caused by the influenza virus, which has four main types, of which types A and B have the greatest impact on humans and are the culprits behind annual flu outbreaks. The flu is generally more common in autumn and winter, concentrated from December to February. Everyone knows that getting a flu vaccine is currently a good way to prevent the flu. The influenza virus is divided into many subtypes. Flu vaccines generally protect against three to four major influenza viruses. Because the influenza virus is very cunning and particularly easy to disguise itself through genetic mutation. Therefore, the FDA will decide the subtypes of the influenza virus that the flu vaccine will target around February each year. So, getting a flu vaccine is not a guarantee against getting the flu; you may still be infected with other respiratory viruses or other subtypes of influenza viruses. So even if you get a flu vaccine, during a flu outbreak, you should still pay attention to washing your hands frequently with soap and water and not rubbing your eyes or picking your nose. Avoid crowded places with poor ventilation.

Will the flu vaccine give you the flu?

Many people believe that getting a flu vaccine can actually make them sick with the flu. This is because some people experience muscle pain, headaches, and even fever after getting the flu vaccine. Is there really a risk of getting the flu from a flu vaccine? The answer is no. The flu vaccine contains non-infectious viruses or antigens synthesized based on viral genes. Therefore, under no circumstances will you get the flu from getting a flu vaccine. The symptoms some people experience after getting a flu vaccine are an immune response of the body's immune system to the vaccine and the process of antibody production. These symptoms will quickly subside naturally. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for the body to produce effective antibodies. So, during this period, if you are exposed to the influenza virus, you still have a risk of getting the flu. Therefore, in individual cases, some people may get the flu because antibodies have not yet been produced and attribute it to the flu vaccine.

More Q&A:

1. Are flu and the common cold the same thing?

No. Although both are viral respiratory infections, the viruses that cause them are different. The flu is caused by the influenza virus. The common cold is mostly caused by rhinoviruses.

2. What are the symptomatic differences between flu and the common cold?

The flu often causes sudden fever, muscle aches, chills, fatigue, and may also cause chest discomfort and headache. The common cold rarely causes fever, and even if it does, it appears gradually. Nasal congestion, sneezing, and sore throat are more common than with the flu. Generally speaking, flu symptoms are more severe than cold symptoms.

3. What are the classifications of the flu?

The influenza viruses that infect humans are mainly types A, B, and C. Types A and B are the most harmful. Type A can cause global epidemics. Type B can cause local outbreaks. And type A includes 131 currently detectable subtypes.

4. When does the flu usually occur?

The flu usually occurs in autumn and winter. It roughly starts in October, peaks from December to February, and can last until May.

5. Who are the susceptible groups?

Everyone is at risk of getting the flu. The difference is that some people may develop severe complications after getting the flu, such as people under 2 or over 65, pregnant women from pregnancy to two weeks postpartum, residents of nursing homes, the severely obese, and those with chronic diseases such as asthma, chronic lung disease, and diabetes.

6. What are the transmission routes of the flu?

It is mainly transmitted through droplets. When a patient coughs, sneezes, or even breathes normally, droplets may reach other people's noses and mouths, causing infection. These droplets can also appear on surfaces such as desks. If hands touch them and then touch the mouth or nose, it can also cause infection.

7. What are the complications of the flu? Can it be fatal?

The most common complications of the flu are viral pneumonia and secondary bacterial pneumonia. Severe complications can be fatal, especially for the high-risk groups mentioned above.

8. What are the treatment methods for the flu?

One is to relieve symptoms and provide supportive care. For example, taking Tylenol to reduce fever and relieve muscle pain. The other is antiviral treatment. Currently, mainstream oral antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu are available. If a secondary bacterial infection is suspected, antibiotics should also be used.

9. What lifestyle precautions should people with the flu take?

Pay attention to rest, keeping warm, and staying hydrated. Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing. If you have a fever, it is best to self-isolate to avoid spreading the infection.

10. Should everyone get a flu vaccine? What are the contraindications for vaccination?

It is recommended that everyone over 6 months old get a flu vaccine. Those who have had a severe allergic reaction to any component of the flu vaccine in the past should not be vaccinated. If you are allergic to eggs, have a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome, or feel unwell on the day of vaccination, you should consult a doctor before getting vaccinated.

11. Is vaccination safe? What are the side effects?

The flu vaccine has a history of more than 50 years of use and is quite safe. The most common side effects are redness, swelling, and pain at the injection site, fever, headache, and nausea, which generally subside within a day or two.

12. Will getting a flu vaccine definitely prevent you from getting the flu?

The flu vaccine mainly protects against the four most common influenza viruses, but there are actually more influenza viruses, so there is still a risk of getting the flu, but it will be greatly reduced, and even if you get the flu, the symptoms will be milder.

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13. Besides getting vaccinated, what other lifestyle precautions should be taken to prevent the flu?

Pay special attention to frequent hand washing. Do not pick your nose or rub your eyes. During flu season, try to avoid crowded, enclosed spaces. If you have to go, consider wearing a mask. You should also boost your immunity through moderate exercise, not smoking, and a healthy diet. Reduce the risk of getting the flu by staying warm, avoiding overwork or stress, and getting enough rest.

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Legacy source: https://www.starsidedrugs.com/post/flu