Join us on FacebookFLU SHOT: Another Poke in the Arm?
Dear Dr. A,
As a third -grade teacher, I have a high risk of being exposed to cold and flu germs. Will the flu shot decrease my risk of getting a cold or flu? Or is it just another poke in the arm? —Mary
Dear Mary, The common cold is different from influenza or the flu, even though both of these infections are prevalent in the fall and winter seasons. The symptoms of the common cold that usually last two to four days include stuffy and runny nose, sore throat, headache, tiredness, and sometimes a mild cough. This is usually caused by viruses, the most common of which is rhinovirus. They are transmitted though the air that contains the mucous droplets released when an infected person sneezes. One can also get it by touching surfaces such as doorknobs, faucets, and phones.
The flu, however, is caused by either influenza A or B, or H1N1 virus. They are transmitted just like the cold virus. The individual infected by the flu virus develops high fever almost within one or two days of infection. Other symptoms are body aches, chills, lack of energy, runny nose, sore throat, dizziness, and a dry cough. One tends to feel much sicker with the flu, and some high-risk individuals may develop such complications as pneumonia, ear or sinus infection, or even brain infection, called encephalitis.
The high-risk individuals are: children ages 6 months to 2 years, adults more than 50 years of age, women who are more than 3 months pregnant during the flu season, people who live in long-term care facilities, individuals with weakened immune systems, people who have diabetes, or a heart, lung, or kidney condition. Third graders tend to get infected by viruses more easily because of their developing immune system, and also their tendency to explore or touch surfaces indiscriminately. Being confined in a room with them for a period of time arguably increases your exposure to the viruses. Your exposure to these viruses can also be decreased by frequent hand washing and avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. It is also a good policy to allow the children with cold or flu to stay at home until they feel better.
There is no vaccine for the common cold because there are so many viruses that cause it; even the rhinovirus has more than 100 types. The flu vaccine, however, is made each year to contain three strains (strains of influenza A, B, and H1N1 virus) that scientists predict will be prevalent in that season. It is recommended that everyone, especially the high-risk individuals listed above, get the flu vaccine yearly. Flu vaccine will protect you from getting the flu. It does not, however, guarantee that you will not get the flu. If you come down with the flu, you are not as likely to be as sick as you would be if you had not gotten the vaccine. 
| ||||||
More articles by this author
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|