The best way to treat an illness is taking steps to prevent it in the first place. Or, is it? Learn about how flu vaccines protect you from serious illness, and whether you are still vulnerable to getting the flu this fall.

Benefits of Getting the Flu Shot

The flu shot is a very simple way to increase your body's ability to fight off the flu. However, it does not completely prevent you from being able to contract the flu in the first place. Flu shots work by injecting the virus that causes the flu into your body so that your body can create antibodies against the virus. This will leave your body better prepared to fight the flu virus, meaning that the infection will be much less severe. It is estimated that flu vaccines can reduce the number of flu cases by 40-60% annually.

The effectiveness of the flu vaccine depends on how well scientists guess the flu variant that will be most widespread that year. Yes, you heard that right, scientists can only estimate which one of the strains of Influenza will impact the population. In order to have the vaccines made, they have to estimate months in advance of the first flu cases showing up. Therefore, some years the flu vaccine is more effective than others because it is better targeted for the strain circulating. Despite this, there are no drawbacks to getting the flu vaccine as a precautionary measure, even if the strain that scientists select that year is not correct.

Does the Flu Shot Give Me The Flu?

Technically, yes it does. The flu vaccine works by exposing your body to the virus before it actually infects your body with a full blown attack. This gives your body extra time to prepare to defend itself, because it has seen the virus before. However, the ‘flu’ that you experience after the flu shot is very minor compared to contracting the flu virus during flu season. Because of this, it is widely recommended that everyone get their flu shots every year in early fall.

Flu Shot Side Effects:

• Fatigue
• Arm soreness
• Muscle Aches
• Low grade fever

Although there are some minor negative side effects, they only will last a day or two after the flu shot is administered. Sometimes, you have no side effects from the flu shot. It depends on the person. Compared to contracting the flu, the side effects of the flu shot are a small price to pay to stay healthy this fall.

Visit AFC Urgent Care Stoneham for Flu Shots and Flu Diagnosis & Treatment Near Stoneham, MA

Contracting the flu is something that could leave you missing work or school for over a week as you recover. Getting the flu shot may have a few minor side effects, but it is a great preventive step to protect your health. Be prepared for flu season this fall and walk into AFC Urgent Care Stoneham for your flu shot today. We offer short wait times for walk-in patients, or you can schedule your appointment here. If you have any additional questions about flu shots, please contact us directly at 781-279-4000.