Posted by yxibow on October 22, 2008, at 1:33:28
In reply to Re: Are You Getting Flu Shots This Year?, posted by Roslynn on October 21, 2008, at 12:54:56
> I got one and now I have the flu. Go figure...
Sorry to hear that -- no guarantees :( I think its about an 80% effectiveness at best, could be more or less, but what it does also is keep potential carriers of flu from infecting others, I believe.
It lasts one year more or less.
As for the 2008-2009 Influenza Shot strains recommended by the CDC and WHO and I believe included in all the 6 possible suppliers of vaccination or inhalant are:
A/Brisbane/59/2007 (H1N1), A/Brisbane/10/2007 (H3N2), and B/Florida/4/2006 strains.
Although one usually has an idea they have the flu, there are literally probably more than 60 types of rhinoviruses (winter) and corona viruses (typically spring to summer) that may be interchangeably called a "cold" or a "flu".Influenza though is usually more notable by the amount of fever, and is worst actually in teenagers (close quarters probably, college, etc.) and the aged (as a general rule).
The average person, from what I was told by a infectious disease specialist, gets up to 5 infectious diseases a season. A number of them get unnoticed because they are gone in a day or you are merely a carrier.
Of course as they say, your miles may vary.
It's still a good idea to get a flu shot though for most people and has become easier now in most locations because pharmacists can give them for a nominal fee if they've taken a training course (I don't know if that varies by state)
-- tidings
Jay
poster:yxibow
thread:858591
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20081016/msgs/858702.html