Last week, I covered what the flu shot is, how it works, and the ingredients that go into this pestilence-fighting cocktail.
This time, let us discuss the side effects of this vaccine.
Now, whenever the flu shot is administered today, it typically comes with a series of possible side effects that, while annoying, are not awful and are expected to pass within a few days.
They include headache, fever, nausea, muscle aches and pains, and fainting.
So, why do we have this adverse reaction to inactive viral cells?
It’s actually quite interesting, so gather ‘round, children.
These are all autoimmune responses. The human body senses the presence of the flu virus, although it is not being actively invaded, and prepares to expel the pests in any and every way (thus, nausea.)
That being said, fevers are the body’s way of gaining an advantage over an infectious agent. By raising the temperature, the body is essentially making itself as inhospitable as possible to viruses and bacteria.
Although the viral cells are inactive, they still trigger this immune response.
Muscle pain, also known as Myalgia, is also explained as an immune response to viral cells that could potentially infect healthy ones.
So, the body is working so hard to increase your temperature and produce antibodies that you are basically getting a cardiovascular workout just by existing. Very similar to a post-workout state of being, the muscles can be tired and sore.
After all of this “exercise,” an individual might faint as well.
Now that I have explained the most common and mild symptoms associated with the flu vaccine, are there any more serious adverse effects that we should be worried about?
Although it is quite rare, there have been reported cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome as a result of the flu vaccine.
This is a disorder in which the body’s own immune system damages nerve cells in an effort to protect itself from infectious agents. This condition is very serious and can lead to paralysis and permanent nerve damage.
Overall, studies estimate that Guillain-Barre Syndrome has been associated with 1 or 2 cases per one million people vaccinated.
For example, there was a distinct correlation between GBS and the 1976 strain of the swine flu vaccine. Scientists at the Institute of Medicine, a non-profit non-government based agency, found that there was one more diagnosed case of Guillain-Barre Syndrome for every 100,000 vaccinations that year.
They presume that the GBS was caused by the re-activation of “dead” viral cells and the subsequent flu infection, but they are still unsure as to the cause.
It is a tiny chance, but food for thought.
Now that we’ve covered the mild and harsh side effects of the flu shot, I am wondering who is most vulnerable to this unpleasantness?
Moreover, is there anyone who should not get that shot at all?
I was surprised to find that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that anyone over the age of 6 months should get vaccinated against the flu.
This “universal” vaccination policy took effect after a 2010 press release, in which the CDC cited the severity of the H1N1 pandemic as a reason to begin vaccinating people younger than 19 years of age.
The CDC also recommends any they define at “high risk” for developing complications from the flu to get vaccinated. These people include babies (between 2 and 5 years of age), senior citizens, pregnant women, American Indians, and Alaskan natives (They didn’t elaborate on this, so I suppose it’s because of their colder environments.)
Other high risk people include individuals with severe or chronic asthma, neurological conditions, lung disease, and heart disease.
Oh yeah, the people who shouldn’t get the shot?
Basically, individuals with allergies to the vaccine or any ingredient within it. But, even then, the CDC highly recommends that it be administered.
Ironically, doctors will discourage people with egg allergies to get the shot, which would seem like the least worrisome aspect of the whole process.
Overall, I was surprised by my research for this post.
After last week’s formaldehyde discovery, I expected more adverse effects directly correlated to the flu shot.
So, unless you already have the flu, no need to fear the side effects of the flu shot!
So, unless you already have the flu, no need to fear the side effects of the flu shot!
