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Flu
shots or ‘flu vaccinations’ are a vaccine that is
used to protect ones body against the highly
variable influenza virus. Stunningly, the annual flu
virus kills an estimated 36,000 people in the United
States alone each and every year.
Due
to the high mutability of the virus, a particular
vaccine formulation is only effective for a year.
Flue Vaccinations are usually recommended for anyone
in a high-risk group who would be likely to suffer
complications from influenza.
Each year, influenza vaccinations should be
routinely offered to patients at risk of
complications of influenza such as the elderly,
patients with chronic lung disease (asthma) patients
with chronic heart disease, patients with chronic
liver disease, patients who are immunosuppressed
(those with HIV) and healthcare workers.
Flu
vaccines are available both as an injection of
killed virus and as nasal spray of live attenuated
influenza virus (LAIV) (sold as FluMist). Clinical
trials suggest that the live virus may be more
effective at preventing infection, but FluMist has
not been approved in the United States for use in
children younger than 5.
Flu
vaccine is usually grown in fertilized chicken eggs.
Both types of flu vaccines are contraindicated for
those with severe allergies to egg proteins and
people with a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome.
Flu
Vaccinations are generally very safe; however there
are a few side effects. If you get a flu shot your
arm may be sore for a few days, you may have a
fever, feel tired or have sore muscles for a short
time, and if you use the nasal spray vaccine you may
have a runny nose, headache, cough or sore throat.
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