Influenza, or flu for short, is a respiratory infection caused by a variety of viruses. Its symptoms include nasal and lung congestion, sore throat, fever, chills, cough, sneezes, fatigue, headache, and sore muscles and joints. The viruses can pass through the air and enter the body through the nose or mouth. The viruses can spread easily and it is very contagious. Anyone can get the flu but you can avoid getting it by taking the flu vaccine. .
After years of trying to discover a vaccine for the flu, there is still no fully effective general flu vaccine. A vaccine that could prevent influenza from occurring and/or lessen the severity of symptoms would be invaluable. However, influenza has been thought to be almost impossible to vaccinate against because the virus itself mutates rapidly. Scientists make a different vaccine every year because the strains of flu viruses change from year to year. This causes the flu vaccine shot to be a dangerous vaccine that can cause more harm than good.
There are a few thousands of people who take the flu vaccine at their doctor's office or at a local clinic each year. "A flu shot is recommended for people over 50 and people at high risk from complications, but anyone who wants a flu shot to avoid getting sick can get one. High-risk individuals of the flu are people over 50 years, children from birth to 23 months, nursing home residents or chronic care facilities residents, adults and children with chronic illness like asthma, pregnant women and healthcare industry workers. The flu vaccine is very good at preventing specific strains of the influenza virus. You should get a flu shot every year because each year a new vaccine is given. The vaccine that was given last year will not be effective this year or next year". "Time for flu shots already?" Dr. Emily Senay. CBS News Video. CBS News. 2 Sept. 2003. Even if a person is not at high risk of getting the flu, Senay says that it is still a good idea to seek protection.
