The Flu And Flu Vaccine

Everyone knows about the flue and the flu vaccine. The flue vaccine, usually called a flu shot, protects people against the flu. In general, you can receive this injection between September and mid November- right before the December- April flue season hits- although it is possible to get it at other times of the year as well.

A common myth about the flu and the flue vaccine is that it can actually cause the flu. The flue vaccine injected into your upper arm will trigger your body to start making antibodies. This takes about a week or two. Should the real, live virus make an appearance, these antibodies will be all set to attack and destroy. The flu vaccines reduces your chances of getting the flu by 60 to 80 percent. But even if you do come down with the flu, your symptoms will be much less severe.

Oddly enough, flu vaccines are made in chicken eggs! This is done by injecting a tiny droplet of the flu virus into an egg. Three days later, the original droplet has grown and can now fill a tablespoon. The virus for the flu and the flu vaccine is now ready. The tops of the eggs are chopped off and the virus is suctioned out. What makes flu shots a bit of a gamble is that all of this takes at least six months.

Whether or not you get a flu and the flue vaccine is up to you, your parents and your doctor. Flu itself is not always dangerous, but some of its complications can be – especially for babies, little kids, older people, and those with certain health problems. These days, getting flu and the flu vaccine is easy. Hospitals, doctors offices, school health clinics, pharmacies, community centers, and even some supermarkets all administer flu shots.