By Deanna Lynn Sletten

It is time once again to consider whether or not you should get a flu shot. For many people the decision is obvious, depending upon their age, health and where they work. But should you get a flu shot? Understanding a few facts about the flu and the flu shot can help you decide if it is right for you.

What is influenza?

Influenza (flu) comes in many strains because the viruses that cause it continually change. Symptoms of the flu include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, loss of appetite and cough. It usually lasts between 3-7 days but can sometimes cause complications like dehydration or pneumonia that can require hospitalization. For generally healthy people the flu poses no lasting threat but to those with weakened immune systems it can be deadly. Nearly 20,000 people die each year in the U.S. due to complications from the flu.

What is the flu vaccine?

Each year the flu vaccine is developed with the three most prevalent strains of the virus for that season as decided by the U.S. Public Health Service. The vaccine is made up from purified viruses grown in egg cultures. This vaccine is made to be inactive and noninfectious and the purpose is to stimulate an immune reaction in your body once the shot has been given.

Since the flu season typically runs between late November and April it is best to get the shot in early fall because it takes two weeks to become effective. Few people experience side-effects from the vaccine however some do have redness and swelling at the injection site and others feel mildly sick for a day or two. The vaccine is 70% effective in preventing the flu and if you do contract the flu the symptoms are less severe.

Who needs the flu shot?

The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people who are at high risk of developing complications due to the flu should have a flu shot. These people include the elderly age 65 and older, residents of nursing homes or other care facilities, students living in dorms, people working in hospitals or schools, people with chronic disorders and people with diabetes, asthma, HIV or any other health problem that compromises their immune system.

The vaccine should not be given to pregnant women in their first trimester or to women who are trying to conceive because of the mercury that is contained in the shot. People allergic to eggs should also not receive the shot since eggs are used in the production of the vaccine. People who are generally healthy, eat right and exercise regularly should not need the vaccine.

Pros and cons

The flu shot is highly effective in reducing the amount of deadly flu cases in the U.S. each year, especially in the elderly population. It reduces the risk of upper respiratory illness by 25% and also reduces absences in the workplace by 36%. Having the shot does decrease spreading the flu to family, friends and co-workers and saves thousands of lives each year.

However, getting the flu shot does not mean you will not get the flu. Since the shot only covers three of the most prominent viruses that cause the flu there is a chance of contracting a virus that is not covered. Also, if you are someone who is relatively healthy but continues to get the shot each year you can weaken your immune system’s natural defense system. Immune systems actually strengthen when they have to fight off viruses. Getting the shot deprives your body from becoming immune to the different viruses that cause the flu.

The vaccine also contains a preservative called thimerosal that contains mercury. Mercury is a toxic metal that can damage the brain and nerve cells. It has also been linked to developing Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss, dementia, anxiety, depression, ADD, hypertension, heart disease and birth defects. Elderly people who have had five or more consecutive flu shots are 10 times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s due to the accumulation of mercury in the brain.

The flu vaccine is definitely a lifesaver for many individuals who might otherwise suffer consequences from contracting the flu but like so many other medicines it can also cause side-effects. Knowing the facts will help you make an informed decision on whether or not the shot is right for you.