Find An Allergist / Immunologist | Pollen Counts | Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology | Annual Meeting   Site Map   Contact   Home    Search
Patients & Consumers Featured Resources Diseases 101 Drug Guide Find an Allergist / Immunologist Pollen Counts En Español Just for Kids Publications for Patients Referral Guidelines Request a Speaker Research for Patients Search by Condition (A-Z) Seniors Useful Links Contact Us Donate Now Request a Speaker Smoke Free Homes Referral Guidelines Other Resources En Español Just for Kids Seniors Allergy & Asthma Issues Educational Brochures Elements of Allergy and Asthma Order Public Education Materials		Allergy & Asthma Advocate: Fall 2008 Elude the Flu: Don’t Get It. Don’t Spread It By Richard W. Honsinger, MD, MACP, FAAAAI, and Rosa Linda Tarango, BA, BS Influenza will infect as many as 1 in 5 people in the United States during the coming flu season. An estimated 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 influenza-associated deaths will occur as a result. It is critical that individuals with asthma receive flu shots each year as protection against the illness and its results – missed work or school or severe health complications. I have asthma. Do I need a flu vaccine? Yes! Although the flu (influenza) vaccine is not 100% effective against infection, it drastically reduces the chance of getting influenza. Adults with asthma are at high risk of developing complications after getting the influenza virus, yet most adults with asthma do not receive an annual flu vaccination. Symptoms of uncomplicated influenza include fever, headache, fatigue, sore throat, dry cough, muscle aches and rhinitis. In addition, children may experience nausea, vomiting and earache. More serious complications may also develop, especially in those with asthma who are more susceptible to pneumonia and other chronic lung problems. The flu vaccine is safe and effective, and all asthmatics are encouraged to get it as part of their routine annual care. Can I get the flu from the vaccine? No. The flu vaccine is inactivated (killed), which means it cannot cause infection. Flu vaccine manufacturers kill the viruses used in the vaccine during the process of making vaccine, and batches of flu vaccine are tested to make sure they are safe. According to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), rare symptoms include fever, muscle pain and feelings of discomfort or weakness. If these problems occur, they are very uncommon and usually begin soon after the shot and last one to two days. Why do some people still get sick after getting the vaccine? There are several reasons why someone may get sick even after being vaccinated. It takes two weeks for the body to gain protection after getting vaccinated. A person exposed to influenza shortly after being vaccinated is at risk of contracting the illness. Get your flu shot early to make sure you are protected. People may also get sick from a different virus that causes flu-like symptoms, or be exposed to a virus that is not included in the vaccine. Even so, the shot can lessen illness severity and is especially important for people at high risk for serious flu-related complications (such as asthmatics, senior citizens and pregnant women) and the close-contacts of those individuals (caretakers, nurses). Before getting vaccinated, talk with your doctor if you had a severe reaction to a flu vaccination in the past, or if you have had the rare Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Viruses for the flu shot are grown in eggs and an allergist should be consulted before vaccinating children with severe egg allergy. Can I take the nasal vaccine instead of the shot? The nasal vaccine also contains a small amount of egg protein and is only approved for ages 2-49. The package insert warns against giving it to children with asthma, a recent wheezing episode or immunodeficiency. You will want to consult your doctor or your allergist if this applies to you.   <back>
		© 1996-2009 · All Rights Reserved · American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology