flu vaccine often prevents the flu. However, the flu vaccine cannot always be fully effective, but giving it a try is worth it.
The flu vaccine includes killed or inactivated viruses, so the vaccine cannot cause a person to get the flu. But it forces the body to build antibodies to fight the virus, usually, the vaccine is transmitted through the arm injection to the body.
The flu vaccination causes the human body to produce virus antibodies after 2 weeks. These antibodies protect the body against infection and the spreading of viruses within the vaccine in the body.
Why should we get flu vaccination?
Influenza is a serious illness that may lead to hospitalization and even death. Influenza is different from one season to another season and it has a special effect on everyone, but every year millions of people get flu vaccines, Tens of thousands of people are admitted and hospitalized in the hospitals and tens of thousands of people die for the same reasons as the flu. Even healthy people may become seriously ill and pass it on to other people. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention announced that since 2010, the number of people affected by the flu has increased from 140,000 to 710,000, and the deaths from the flu has increased from 12,000 to 56,000. During the flu season, viruses are heavily spread among populations.
The flu is treated primarily with rest and fluid to let the body fight the infection on its own. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain relievers may help with symptoms. An annual vaccine can help prevent the flu and limit its complications.
(The flu season can begin from October and continues to May).
The annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to reduce the risk of seasonal influenza and its transmission to others. When more people are vaccinated, the flu can spread less in the community.
Who should get Flu Vaccine?
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends flu vaccine to all people over 6 months of age. Vaccination is recommended especially for susceptible groups that are more at risk and its severe complications, including:
- pregnant women
- elderlies
- children
Children from 6 months of age to 8 years old need to receive two doses of flu vaccine at intervals of 4 weeks to protect themselves completely against the disease. Of course, you need to coordinate with your child’s health care providers and officials.
Acute medical conditions can increase the likelihood of an influenza:
- Asthma
- Cancer or cancer treatment methods
- Acute Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Cystic fibrosis
- Diabetes
- AIDS or acquired immunity
- Liver or kidney disease
- Obesity
Who should not have flu vaccine?
In the case of following conditions, Talk to your doctor before taking the vaccine.
If you are allergenic to eggs. Most influenza vaccines contain a small amount of egg protein. If you are not allergenic to eggs, you can get flu vaccine without getting any worries, but if you are allergenic to eggs, you should be vaccinated in an environment that is well-equipped and with presence of a doctor that can detect and manage an acute condition of an allergy.
There is also a type of flu vaccine that does not contain egg protein and has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use by people over the age of 18 years. Ask your doctor about available options.
Your body has shown a sever reaction to the previous flu vaccine: The flu vaccine is not recommended to anyone who has responded a bad reaction to the previous flu vaccine. However, you should ask your doctor because some of the reactions may not be related to the vaccine.
Why should you have flu vaccine every year?
There are two reasons why a flu vaccine is required in each season. Firstly, the immune system responds to the vaccine decreases over time, for this reason, it’s essential to have an annual flu shot for optimal body protection. Secondly, because the influenza viruses are constantly changing, the formula and composition of the vaccine should also be updated annually. For this reason and better protection, you should get flu vaccine every six months.
Flu Vaccine before Cosmetic Surgery
Cosmetic surgeons have different opinions about how to get flu vaccine before cosmetic surgery. So, if you have arranged for cosmetic surgery such as rhinoplasty, before you take the vaccine, make sure to check with your doctor and ask for his opinion. But usually a flu vaccine is necessary to prevent illness before surgery.
There no a consensus among surgeons about the timing of the vaccine for surgery. Most of them believe that the patient should be vaccinated as soon as the flu vaccine is available, And if the patient receives the standard vaccine, he should not be surgically wound up for a week.
If a patient receives a live and debilitated flu shot (usually injected in the nose), she should not receive surgery before 14 days. Usually, the patient receives the standard type instead of the live vaccine. This is because the live vaccine can cause the patient to develop a mild influenza that may also be transmitted to other patients. Many people refrain this type of vaccine because of their weak immune system.
