5 Myths You Should Know About Influenza

Influenza or flu is a contagious respiratory disease that millions of people around the world suffer each year. This is shown by this study, which continues to explain that this can affect the patient in a mild or serious way, all depending on the immune response of the body and the type of treatment that is given from its first signs.

Today, there are many ways to lower your risk of getting the flu. As for example, this study published by the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that strategic action plans have been developed to attack pandemic influenza.

Despite this, many people are still affected by the virus, especially in cold weather.

Experts explain that a weak immune system is one of the main causes of constant flu cases.

But they also emphasize by saying that a large part of these are the product of ignorance of preventive methods and the myths that exist about the condition. This is how this information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) exposes it.

Vaccine expert Dr. Gregory Poland (Mary Lowell Leary Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Director of the Mayo Clinic Vaccine Research Group )  and the Mayo Clinic Division of Infectious Diseases dispel common myths about influenza. 

Here are some of them.

Myth 1: the vaccine can make me sick

This is one of the most common popular beliefs, and in fact, many people avoid getting vaccinated for fear of getting the disease. Those who have this idea about influenza or doubts about the vaccine, should know that it is completely false.

It is impossible for injectable flu vaccines to cause any degree of illness. This is because they are made up of pieces of inactivated influenza proteins.

And while nasal spray vaccines are made up of weakened live flu organisms, they are not strong enough to multiply and cause illness.

Myth 2: Vaccines usually don’t work. Why apply it to me?

Most people who are enemies of vaccines look for any excuse not to get them. The myth that flu shots don’t work has become another reason to avoid them. However, in reality, they may be better than any other preventive method.

Vaccine protection is excellent for people in good health when there is a match between the viruses causing the disease and those contained in the vaccine. However, the protection may decrease if the person is not healthy or belongs to a risk group.

In this sense,  vaccines act like a seat belt : they are not 100% perfect, but they work as the best protection against serious injury or death.

Everything else about not placing them, recommending them, even going as far as creating fear campaigns, is based on myths that until now have no scientific support.

Myth 3: Flu Vaccines Are Dangerous for Pregnant Women

Fake!. This stems from the recommendation not to administer any vaccines to pregnant women, explains Dr. Poland . Currently, influenza vaccines do not pose any danger to pregnant women and, in fact, are highly recommended.

However, Dr. Poland points out that pregnant women should not get the nasal flu vaccine because it contains live viruses, even though they are weakened.

Myth 4: It’s too late to get the vaccine

This is another completely false myth. It is true that the best time to get the flu shot is before the start of the flu season, since it takes about two weeks for the flu to reach its full effect. However, Dr. Poland indicates that it is never too late to get the vaccine.

Myth 5: It’s just a bad flu. You don’t have to make such a fuss

Like the four previous cases it is false. Even if it is “just” a bad flu, care and concern should be the same as for another illness, regardless of the age or physical condition of the person.

For no reason should strong flu be confused with “any illness,” explains Dr. Poland . The complications of influenza and the lack of treatment have caused the death rate from this disease to increase.

They are especially prevalent among infants, young children, those with chronic diseases, the elderly, pregnant women, and obese people. Over-the-counter flu medications can disguise the illness, but the virus can continue to attack.

Therefore, the expert recommends breaking all these myths. It is best to access the flu vaccine as the main prevention method.