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To Your Health With Dr. Jim Morrow, Episode 18: 12 Flu Shot Myths

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To Your Health With Dr. Jim Morrow, Episode 18: 12 Flu Shot Myths

Flu season is coming! On this episode of “To Your Health with Dr. Jim Morrow,” Dr. Jim Morrow discusses the influenza virus and the 12 flu shot myths. “To Your Health” is brought to you by Morrow Family Medicine, which brings the CARE back to healthcare.

About Morrow Family Medicine and Dr. Jim Morrow

Morrow Family Medicine is an award-winning, state-of-the-art family practice with offices in Cumming and Milton, Georgia. The practice combines healthcare information technology with old-fashioned care to provide the type of care that many are in search of today. Two physicians, three physician assistants and two nurse practitioners are supported by a knowledgeable and friendly staff to make your visit to Morrow Family Medicine one that will remind you of the way healthcare should be.  At Morrow Family Medicine, we like to say we are “bringing the care back to healthcare!”  Morrow Family Medicine has been named the “Best of Forsyth” in Family Medicine in all five years of the award, is a three-time consecutive winner of the “Best of North Atlanta” by readers of Appen Media, and the 2019 winner of “Best of Life” in North Fulton County.

Dr. Jim Morrow, Morrow Family Medicine, and Host of “To Your Health With Dr. Jim Morrow”

Dr. Jim Morrow is the founder and CEO of Morrow Family Medicine. He has been a trailblazer and evangelist in the area of healthcare information technology, was named Physician IT Leader of the Year by HIMSS, a HIMSS Davies Award Winner, the Cumming-Forsyth Chamber of Commerce Steve Bloom Award Winner as Entrepreneur of the Year and he received a Phoenix Award as Community Leader of the Year from the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.  He is married to Peggie Morrow and together they founded the Forsyth BYOT Benefit, a charity in Forsyth County to support students in need of technology and devices. They have two Goldendoodles, a gaggle of grandchildren and enjoy life on and around Lake Lanier.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MorrowFamMed/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/7788088/admin/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/toyourhealthMD

Dr. Morrow’s Show Notes on Flu Shots

What is the Flu?

• Influenza is a highly contagious airborne viral illness.
  • The virus enters the respiratory tract cells of the host and, if not neutralized by antibodies, begins proliferating.
  • The incubation period is 18 to 72 hours, but viral shedding may occur up to 24 hours before symptom onset and continue for five to 10 days.
  • Influenza is typically uncomplicated and self-limited in otherwise healthy patients.
  • However, severe complications, such as pneumonia, encephalitis, respiratory failure, multi-organ failure, and death, can occur.
  • According to estimates from the World Health Organization, 3 to 5 million cases of severe influenza-related illness and 250,000 to 500,000 influenza-related deaths occur worldwide every year.

• Diagnosis:
  • Sudden onset of symptoms is a telltale sign of influenza.
  • Common symptoms include
    • high fever,
    • headache,
    • sore throat,
    • myalgia,
    • cough,
    • rhinorrhea, and
    • fatigue

• The CDC recommends that physicians diagnose influenza clinically and perform testing only in the limited situations.
  • Several diagnostic tests for influenza are but negative results do not rule out influenza.
  • Although many physicians use rapid influenza tests, clinical judgment should prevail, especially in view of the limitations of such tests.

Who should get vaccinated this season?

• Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine every season with rare exception.
  • Vaccination is particularly important for people who are at high risk of serious complications from influenza.
• Flu vaccination has important benefits.
  • It can reduce flu illnesses,
  • doctors’ visits, and
  • missed work and school due to flu,
  • as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations.
  • Flu vaccine also has been shown to be life-saving in children.
  • In fact, a 2017 studyshowed that flu vaccination can significantly reduce a child’s risk of dying from flu.
• Different flu vaccines are approved for use in different groups of people.
  • There are flu shots approved for use in children as young as 6 months of age
    • and flu shots approved for use in adults 65 years and older.
    • Flu shots also are recommended for use in pregnant women and people with chronic health conditions.
    • The nasal spray flu vaccine is approved for use in non-pregnant individuals, 2 years through 49 years of age.
    • People with some medical conditions should not receive the nasal spray flu vaccine.
  • The most important thing is for all people 6 months and older to get a flu vaccine every year.
  • Best time to get a flu shot is in October, so that it is in effect before the season gets into full force, and your immunity will last until the end of the season.

Making the Flu Vaccine: A Year-Round Effort

• The job of producing a new vaccine for the next flu season starts well before the current flu season ends.
  • For the FDA, it’s a year-round initiative.
• The composition of vaccines for the prevention of other infectious diseases stays the same year after year.
  • In contrast, flu viruses are constantly evolving.
  • And the flu viruses that circulate causing disease in people, often change from one year to another.
  • So, every year, there is a need for a new flu vaccine.
  • To that end, FDA, World Health Organization (WHO), CDC, and other partners collaborate by collecting and reviewing data on the circulating strains of influenza from around the world to identify those likely to cause the most illness in the upcoming flu season.

• In late February/early March — well before the new flu season begins — an FDA advisory committee reviews data about
  • which flu viruses have caused disease in the past year,
  • how the viruses are changing, and
  • disease trends so they can recommend the three or four flu strains to include in the trivalent and quadrivalent influenza vaccines for the U.S in the upcoming flu season.
• Once the strains are selected, vaccine manufacturers begin the manufacturing process to include the newly selected flu strains in their FDA-approved vaccines.
  • The different flu virus strains are combined to formulate the vaccine into standard dosages.
  • The vaccine is then filled into vials, syringes and, for the nasal vaccine, sprayers.
  • Both egg-based and non-egg-based manufacturing methods for FDA-approved flu vaccines require high-tech processes and manufacturing facilities that have been inspected by the FDA.
  • Vaccine manufacturers must submit applications to the FDA to include the new flu strains in their FDA-approved vaccines.
• The FDA is also responsible for ensuring that released lots of influenza vaccines meet appropriate standards.
  • Each vaccine undergoes quality control tests, including testing for sterility.
  • Manufacturers submit the results of their testing, along with sample vials from each lot to the FDA for “lot release.”
  • The FDA typically begins releasing lots of flu vaccines in late summer.
  • Lot release can continue into early fall.
  • Once lots are released, manufacturers distribute the vaccine throughout the United States for use by the public.
• Flu seasons and severity are unpredictable.
  • Annual vaccination is the best way to prevent the flu for people ages 6 months and older.
• An annual immunization with flu vaccine is the most effective and safest way for most of us to reduce our risk of getting the flu and spreading it to others.
  • When more people get vaccinated, it is less likely that the flu viruses will spread through a community, making us all healthier.

Myths About the Flu Shot

• Myth #1: The flu is the same thing as a cold and it is harmless.
  • It is common to confuse the flu with a cold.
    • Both have similar symptoms and often are treated with similar methods.
    • However, colds are mild and last longer.
    • The flu usually occurs suddenly and lasts 2 to 3 days. The flu also is contagious and can be dangerous.
  • Symptoms of the flu include:
    • fever of 102°F or higher
    • chills and sweats
    • nausea and vomiting
    • muscle aches and headaches
    • chest pain
    • cough
    • stuffy nose
    • loss of appetite.

• Myth #2: You can’t die from the flu.
  • People who have severe cases of the flu or are high risk can die from the flu.
  • High-risk people include:
    • Babies or children up to 4 years old.
    • Anyone 65 years of age or older.
    • Women who are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding.
    • Anyone who has a low or weakened immune system.
    • Anyone who has a chronic health condition.
    • Anyone who lives in in a long-term care center.
  • These people are at greater risk of having health problems that lead to death.
    • It is even more important that they receive an annual flu vaccine.
    • It helps prevent severe cases or problems related to flu.
    • It also lowers their chance of needing to go the hospital, which raises costs.
  • If you aren’t high risk, you still should get a flu vaccine.
    • It protects everyone around you.
    • This is especially true if you work in health care or care for high-risk people.

• Myth #3: You won’t get the flu if you get the flu vaccine.
  • The flu vaccine helps to prevent the flu.
    • Every year, its purpose is to protect you from the main types of influenza.
    • However, you still can get the flu.
    • You could have been infected with the flu before you got the vaccine.
    • You also could get another type of flu that the vaccine does not cover.
    • Most likely, you will have a milder case than if you hadn’t gotten the shot.
  • There are other things you can do to lower your risk of getting the flu.
    • These include:
      • Washing your hands often.
      • Covering your mouth when you sneeze and cough.
      • Using household cleaning spray to disinfect surfaces and objects.
      • Using hand sanitizer.
      • Washing laundry of sick people separate from other items.
      • Keeping your children, especially newborns, away from anyone who is sick.

• Myth #4: You won’t get the flu if you take vitamin C.
  • Vitamins cannot prevent the flu.
    • Using vitamin C can improve your immune system, but you can still get the flu.

• Myth #5: The flu vaccine will give you the flu.
  • You cannot get the flu from a flu shot.
    • This form of vaccine is made up of dead viruses that can’t infect you.
    • The nasal spray flu vaccine is made up of live, but weakened viruses.
    • The nasal spray vaccine is no longer recommended.
  • You can’t get the flu, but you can have side effects.
    • The area of the shot could be red, sore, or swollen.
    • You also may have muscle aches, headaches, or a low fever for a short period of time.
    • These effects occur when your body responds to fight the new virus.
    • You also can have flu-like symptoms from other health issues, such as a bad cold.

• Myth #6: You shouldn’t get the flu vaccine if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • It is important to get the flu shot if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding.
  • The flu shot is safe for you and your baby.
  • If you don’t get the flu shot and develop the flu, you could give it to your baby.
  • Your doctor might prescribe antiviral medicine to help reduce symptoms. They also might suggest another form of feeding until you are better.

• Myth #7: You shouldn’t get the flu vaccine if you have an egg allergy.
  • The amount of egg allergen in the flu vaccine is very small.
  • It is safe for people with egg allergies, even kids, to get the flu shot.
  • Serious allergic reactions are rare.
  • If you are at risk, doctors recommend getting the shot at your doctor’s office instead of a drugstore.
  • This way, your doctor can monitor any potential reactions.

• Myth #8: You don’t need to get the flu vaccine if you’re healthy.
  • It is good to live a healthy lifestyle, but it can’t prevent the flu.
  • It is an infection that spreads easily.
  • Everyone over 6 months of age should get the flu vaccine, except for rare cases.

• Myth #9: You shouldn’t get the flu shot if you’re sick or already have had the flu.
  • It is okay to get the flu vaccine when you have a mild sickness.
  • However, your doctor may suggest waiting until you’re better.
  • It also is okay to get the flu shot if you have cancer.
  • You still should get the flu shot if you’ve already had the flu. The flu vaccine protects you against several types of the virus.

• Myth #10: You don’t need to get the flu vaccine every year.
  • The flu is caused by the influenza virus, which can change from year to year.
  • Because of this, the flu vaccine is adapted to protect against the main types of flu.
  • You should get the flu vaccine every year at the beginning of the flu season.
  • Flu season occurs in the colder months of year, typically October to May.

• Myth #11: Getting the flu vaccine more than once a year will decrease your chance of getting the flu even more.
  • There is no research that multiple flu vaccines will lower your chance of getting the flu.
  • However, some kids or older adults may need two doses of the flu vaccine.
  • This depends on your age and medical history.
  • Talk to your doctor to see if you should receive two doses.

• Myth #12: You should wait until later in the flu season to get the vaccine. Then you will be protected longer.
  • The CDC recommends getting the flu vaccine as soon as it’s ready at the beginning of flu season.
  • It can take up to 2 weeks for the your body to build protection against the flu.
  • You should get the shot before the flu becomes more contagious.
  • However, it still is better to get the flu shot late than not at all.

Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians and Center for Disease Control.