The Flu

Influenza is a common name for influenza, a virus that attacks the respiratory system. Influenza virus releases their genetic information to the nucleus for self-replication. As the cell dies, these copies are released and they affect other cells in other parts of the body. When this happens, the virus can weaken the immune system. When you are suffering from influenza, your body will build defenses by making antibodies against it. When a person coughs, sneezes or talks, the influenza virus spreads in the air.

Please note the myth that the influenza vaccine is circulating like the influenza virus. No, influenza vaccine can not bring you influenza. If you have been infected with influenza following influenza vaccination, this is called an unfortunate coincidence. No, being vaccinated against influenza is not a bad thing than being vaccinated against influenza. Regardless of how healthy it is, it is not worse than influenza to hit a needle on your arm or spray it on your nose. No, the vaccine is not dangerous. There is nothing safe in life, but this vaccine has been extensively tested and many people are vaccinated each year without major problems. No, I can not defend you even if I have been vaccinated against influenza within a year. It is like saying you do not have to change your underwear. Popular strains tend to change every year, and the preventive effect of influenza vaccine weakens over time.

Why do influenza vaccines need thimerosal or other preservatives? First, we will learn to reconstitute the influenza vaccine every year to reflect anticipated flu strains. Because millions of doses of influenza vaccine are required each year, the most effective manufacturing method is multi-dose vials that require preservatives. How about other vaccines? Do they contain thiomersal? There are four types of vaccines using thimerosal in the manufacturing process, but the final product is extracted before bottling. Therefore, these vaccines must describe the amount of TRACE mercury (less than 0.003 mg) that may be present in the vaccine. There may be little or no thiomersal in the finished product, but the manufacturer must declare it

Returning to the influenza vaccine, the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) and AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) recommend that six months of children receive influenza vaccination every year before the influenza season begins. Influenza vaccine is the best way to protect children from illness and its complications. Even if a child is vaccinated, even if it is affected by influenza, it helps to reduce the severity of the disease and the possibility of complications. It is October that antibodies enter the body two weeks after vaccination. However, since the peak season of the influenza season is around January and February, vaccination is effective throughout the influenza season even after January.