Flu Vaccine Facts & Myths

Flu season is just now starting and I encourage all my readers to help protect yourself and your loved ones by getting a Flu Shot. Listed below are several common misconceptions surrounding the Flu Vaccine and the facts to help you in your decision to get the flu shot.  If you have any other concerns regarding the Influenza, the vaccine or even Avian Flu, please leave a comment or email me via my contact form. I'll be happy to answer any of your questions or concerns.

MYTH: “The flu isn’t a serious disease.”

FACTS: Influenza (flu) is a serious disease of the nose, throat, and lungs, and it can lead to pneumonia. Each year about 200,000 people in the U.S. are hospitalized and about 36,000 people die because of the flu. Most who die are 65 years and older. But small children less than 2 years old are as likely as those over 65 to have to go to the hospital because of the flu.

MYTH: “The flu shot can cause the flu.”

FACTS: The flu shot cannot cause the flu. Some peopleget a little soreness or redness where they get the shot. It goes away in a day or two. Serious problems from the flu shot are very rare.

MYTH: “The flu shot does not work.”

FACTS:Most of the time the flu shot will prevent the flu. In scientific studies, the effectiveness of the flu shot has ranged from 70% to 90% when there is a good match between circulating viruses and those in the vaccine. Getting the vaccine is your best protection against this disease.

MYTH: “The side effects are worse than the flu.”

FACTS: The worst side effect you’re likely to get from a flu shot is a sore arm. The nasal mist flu vaccine might cause nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat and cough. The risk of a severe allergic reaction is less than 1 in 4 million.

MYTH:“Only older people need a flu vaccine.”

FACTS: Adults and children with conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease need to get a flu shot. Doctors also recommend children 6 months and older get a flu shot every year until their 5th birthday.

MYTH:“You must get the flu vaccine before December.”

FACTS: Flu vaccine can be given before or during the flu season. The best time to get vaccinated is October or November. But you can get vaccinated in December or later.

For more information, ask your healthcare provider or call 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)

 Website : CDC

Researchers at the Imperial College, London have cloned human heart valves: 

By using chemical and physical nudges, the scientists first coaxed stem cells extracted from bone marrow to grow into heart valve cells. By placing these cells into scaffolds made of collagen, Dr. Chester and his colleague Patricia Taylor then grew small 3cm-wide discs of heart valve tissue. Later this year, that tissue will be implanted into animals - probably sheep or pigs - and monitored to see how well it works as part of a circulatory system.

Please read the above story with caution, I have yet to find the primary research papers on this study  published by the researchers at the Imperial College. What is does highlight is the clinical usefullness of ADULT stem cell research.  I will be following up on this study and reporting my findings.

News that does make my heart flutter happily:

Two of the nation's largest Infection Prevention and Epidemiology Associations - SHEA (Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America) and APIC (Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology) have convened a working group to find best practices for the prevention of MRSA in hospitalized patients.

Together, they  released a position statement and press release where they concluded that "there is not sufficient evidence to justify the legislation of active MRSA surveillance/screening for all hospitalized patients at this time."

Less governmental interference within health care, the better.   SHEA and APIC agree with me!