Many American families and their doctors disagree about the wisdom  of getting a flu shot. This difference of opinion  breaks out every spring and fall when inoculations are due. The questions are: What is a flu shot?; who, if anyone, is recommended to get one?; are there harmful side effects?;  do they do more harm than good?; and  should they be given to toddlers?"

Types of Flu Vaccine

A flu shot is a vaccine that contains three inactive (dead) influenza viruses. They are identified as the strains recommended for that year. The viruses are grown in eggs, and their vaccine is  usually placed in a needle and injected into the arm.

Antiviral medications include Amantadine, Rimantadine, and Oseltamivir. FluMist, a nasal spray, is another option. However, FluMist can be given to only healthy individuals between the ages of 5 to 49 years and is more expensive than shots. Children and teens who often take aspirin and pregnant women should not take FluMist. It might harm a fetus or pass into breast milk and infect a nursing baby. For those under 18, combining aspirin with vaccine increases the risk of Reyes Syndrome, an often-fatal disease.

The difference between the shot and the nasal vaccine is that the nasal vaccine contains live viruses. Individuals with hereditary immune disorders, HIV/AIDS, some cancers and those receiving radiation or cancer chemotherapy are subject to infection when using FluMist. Any one who shares living quarters with these individuals should not get the nasal form unless they can avoid close contact for 21 days.

Children and Flu shots

According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control), a toddler should get a flu shot because complications associated with the flu (like pneumonia) place them in a high- risk category. According to current research, the shot prevents them from developing those complications. Children with suppressed immune system, sickle-cell anemia, heart, kidney, or lung disease, diabetes or who are on aspirin therapy would benefit from the flu shot. However, those that have a severe allergy to eggs or Guillian Barre Syndrome should not take the flu vaccine.

In contrast, Dr. Tom Jefferson, lead author of studies conducted by Duke University Medical Center and the University of Washington found no evidence that the vaccine worked in children under the age of two years but explained that his statement did not mean that the vaccine did not work. He felt that the data was insufficient and that more research was needed.

Vaccine Validation

The question again arises, is the flu shot necessary? The best way to come to a conclusion is to examine the facts. From an economic point of view, on an annual basis the flu impacts our economy with a three to five billion dollar cost and it interrupts approximately 383 million work and school days. According to the CDC, cost and productivity losses connected with influenza sickness can be reduced by vaccination.Children and the elderly in the high-risk category are subject to complications of influenza and possibly death. According to research findings, the flu vaccination prevents developing those complications.

Upon examination of the facts, healthy people that don’t get the flu may still be in doubt. Nonetheless, the possibility that everyone can contact the flu must be considered. The bottom line is prevention and relief of symptoms. For healthy individuals it is a matter of taking a chance, but for those at risk it can be a matter of life or death.

Pro or Con

The decision to take the shot or not must be made based on logic, circumstance and fact. To simply view the flu inoculation as a commodity (like a shot of Botox) would definitely be a mistake. Cosmetic procedures cannot be compared with disease prevention. And until all the research is complete, medical science must be prepared to battle life taking viruses and the general public must be willing to protect itself from them.

To be immunized or not to be immunized still comes down to individual choice. But knowledge and education on the flu virus and its effect and prevention will help make the best individual decisions. One should be aware of the symptoms so that the difference can be made between contracting a cold and contracting the flu.

Clarifying symptoms

Flu symptoms are: headache, sore throat, body aches, chills, fever, dry cough, stuffy nose and extreme exhaustion. However, cold symptoms are: sneezing, runny nose, and mild cough. Colds rarely produce fevers, headaches or extreme exhaustion and do not require special medication.

If the following symptoms develop during a cold, you may have a bacterial infection:

• Earache
• Stiff neck
• Temperature 101 degrees
• Ongoing sore throat
• Inability to swallow
• Sensitivity to bright light
• Nausea
• Diarrhea

Flu vaccine has side effects similar to these symptoms (fever, tiredness, sore muscles), but may last for only two days. October and November is the best time to get vaccinated; for high- risk individuals - September.

Avoiding the flu virus

Can the flu be avoided? Only if you can avoid other people that have it. Sometimes that is not possible, but precautions to assist in preventing the spread of infection can be taken to help avert it. During the cold and flu season:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water
• Cover the mouth when coughing or sneezing
• Avoid rubbing the eyes and nose
• Avoid putting things in the mouth (chewing on pens, etc)

Future Threat – Is the CDC Prepared?

The influenza virus is a harsh reality and the viral strains can mutate and change. Influenza “A” virus is found in animals and though unusual, can be transferred to humans and cause widespread illness. The Avian Flu (a virus carried by birds that can be passed on to humans) is a future worldwide threat. Scientists are seeking better understanding of it and they have reconstructed a Spanish Flu Virus to help better comprehend its mutation. They hope to develop defenses and prevent a future pandemic. To additionally prepare for a possible pandemic, the CDC is doing a number of preparedness activities:

• Working with various defense and public health agencies, world health organizations
• Testing of viruses
• Developing reagents kits that detect the current influenza
• Investing funds to improve influenza surveillance in Asia
• Conducting and attending training sessions

It is estimated that during the flu season, 10 to 20 percent of Americans will contract the flu. The medical and research communities have put forth commendable efforts towards prevention and cure. Though many test results are inconclusive, enough conclusive results have been presented to the public to earn credibility concerning the necessity for inoculation. It would be wise not to develop a judgmental attitude towards the mass marketing of drugs and who profits from their sales. The bottom line is we can appreciate the availability of life saving drugs and the safety that they provide.