Defense Immune System Booster

Influenza is the demon of winter, we try to avoid catching colds and the flu by increasing vitamin C intake, stocking on up cold remedies and cough sweets or taking a flu shot. It is recommended people over sixty years old have the flu shot every year to protect against the possible complications and fatal risks the virus can cause to a weaker immune system. Some schools offer or ask students to take the flu shot to prevent the virus spreading around the classroom.

Every vaccination causes side effects to varying degrees, they expose the body to the virus allowing anti bodies to be created before the full strain attacks. Flu shots carry a low risk for side effects, the most common side effects of flu shots are:

*Red swelling around the area the injection was given.

*Fever, on average lasting one day.

*Aching muscles, especially the arm and shoulder the injection was received in.

*Headache for a few hours after the vaccination.

Allergic reaction is rare with the flu shot but the possibility is still present, with children more prone to developing an allergy than adults; babies under six months have the highest risk and people suffering from Guillain-Barr syndrome (GBS). As flu shots are cultured in chicken eggs, people with an allergy to eggs may experience a reaction. The symptoms of an allergic reaction are:

*Wheezing, tight chest, unable to breath properly.

*Rapid heartbeat.

*Dizziness.

*Hoarseness

Symptoms develop quickly and medical attention should be sought immediately. If you already have a fever do not take the vaccine as this can lead to an allergic reaction as well.

Contracting the flu from the shot is not a side effect as the virus used is already dead, live viruses will subject you to a mild form of the illness to allow the body to fight it off and develop resistance for the future, flu vaccines do not need to do this as the body is capable of creating the defense from the dead virus.

Flu shots are not one hundred percent effective, there are hundreds of flu viruses flying around every year, it is possible to catch a different strain even after having the shot. However the vaccine is based on detailed monitoring and history of the behaviors of viruses and the conditions of which they develop and travel. The flu shot available will be the most likely influenza attacking and taking the shot can protect you with little side effects.