Sunday, January 20, 2013
Does a flu shot cause the flu? Do healthy people need a shot? Here are the answers to some popular myths.
- AWARENESS
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Sunday, January 20
The flu vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and your family. However, misconceptions about vaccination persist. Here are seven common myths about vaccination. Flu Myth #1 A Flu Shot Causes the Flu No, a flu shot cannot cause flu illness. The influenza viruses contained in a flu shot are inactivated (killed), which means they cannot cause infection. Flu vaccine manufacturers kill the viruses used in the vaccine during the process of making vaccine, and batches of flu vaccine are tested to make sure they are safe. In randomized, blinded studies, where some people get flu shots and others get salt-water shots, the only differences in symptoms was increased soreness in the arm and redness at the injection site among people who got …
Sunday, January 13, 2013
CDC reports flu is widespread and continuing to increase.
- LOCAL CONNECTIONS
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Sunday, January 13
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports the flu is now widespread and the number of cases are continuing to increase. “Reports of influenza-like-illness (ILI) are nearing what have been peak levels during moderately severe seasons,” according to Dr. Joe Bresee. Breese advises it is not too late to get a flu shot. “Anyone who has not already been vaccinated should do so now,” Bresee said in a released statement. “And it’s important to remember that people who have severe influenza illness, or who are at high risk of serious influenza-related complications, should get treated with influenza antiviral medications if they get flu symptoms regardless of whether or not they got vaccinated. Also, you don’t need to wait for a …
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Experts say everyone should get a flu vaccination. Find out how and where you can get a flu shot around Smyrna and Vinings.
- LOCAL CONNECTIONS
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Wednesday, January 9
Twenty-nine states, including Georgia, are now reporting high incidents of influenza-like illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The information is for the week ending Dec. 29. The flu season normally peaks in January and February, still experts say the recent reports are higher than normal. "Reports of influenza-like-illness (ILI) are nearing what have been peak levels during moderately severe seasons,” said Dr. Joe Bresee, Chief of the Epidemiology and Prevention Branch in the CDC’s Influenza Division, in a CDC press release. "Anyone who has not already been vaccinated should do so now." In addition, the CDC continues to recommend influenza vaccinations and antiviral treatments when appropriate. If you're …
Lee
7:43 pm on Sunday, January 20, 2013
Has anyone else ever heard that people who get bronchitis, especially chronically, do not typically get the flu, and people who get the flu rarely, if ever contract bronchitis? Both are respiratory illnesses, but do they offer cross-immunity? more ›