What about the flu outbreak we have seen in the U.S. this season?

What about the flu outbreak we have seen in the U.S. this season? Will the flu shot protect against all types of the influenza virus? Can you get the flu from the flu shot? Why do we have to get a new influenza vaccine every year? Why isn't there a vaccine against the common cold?

I have yet to see a flu outbreak. I've seen plenty with the common cold though.

No the flu shot will not protect against all types. It is a best guess at what the most prevalent type will be from what the most prevalent type was at the end of the last flu season.

Yes, you can get the flu from the flu shot. I've seen it happen many times.

Every year the shot changes according to the "forecast" for the next year's flu.

I guess they just haven't figured out how to make money on a shot for the common cold, which in my opinion is what they are calling the flu these days. See first answer.

I'm rather old school. I wish they would call the flu the flu and the cold the cold and stop confusing people! I also wish they would stop pumping out the flu shot every year and spreading their best guess flu. The nasal mist is worst, last I knew is contained LIVE virus. I never get the shot; I never get the flu. My husband never gets the shot; he never gets the flu. My kids. . . well, carry on from there. I've a good friend who did get the shot once and she was sick the whole winter! Never did that again.

Here's a fun video about the flu shot:
http://www.cbc.ca/airfarce/vidplayer/AF_...

Here is a great article about the flu shot:
http://www.lewrockwell.com/alston/alston...

Best way to avoid the flu is maintain a healthy immune system, practice proper hygiene, and not to overdose on refined sugars.

Enjoy and stay well!

vaccine only protects against last years flu because the virus constantly mutates. Yes you can get the flu from the flu vaccine. Their are to many cold viruses to be vaccinated against all of them.

the flu, and the common cold, there is no permanent vaccine for either one because the infulenza virus and the cold virus are continuously morphing, and that is why every year we are all told to get a flu shot

Viruses change fairly rapidly, so a different flu vaccine has to be developed each year. The flu shot protects against 1 - 3 varieties.

Tags

　　Food Allergy 　　Food Additives 　　Folliculitis 　　Folic Acid 　　Folate 　　Fluid 　　Flu 　　Floater 　　Flea Bites 　　Flatulence 　　Fitness 　　Fistulas 　　First Aid

Related information

Got flu shot sat. ...around sick person yesterday...feel ill today..flu shot make matters worse?

The Flu shot will only help protect you from Influenza and then only the strains that are included in the vaccine. It takes some time for your body to develop the necessary antibodies (a few weeks...

A flu question,?

Flu vaccines only protect you from the three strains that were the most dangerous from the year before. They are called "trivalent" vaccines - 3 virus antibodies bonded together in one v...

Do flu shots help??

it all depends on the body and how healthy they are and in shape....the Dr's never know what strand of the flu is there untill it is actually here so its hard to come up with a vaccine....but ...

Do flu vaccinations a woman receives while pregnant carry over to the newborn?

No it would only help the Mother's immune system etc.Babies receive a boost of antibodies from the Mom,shorty before birth.that will give them good protection for about 6 weeks,and with breast...

Stomach flu?

If it is the stomach flu, then it will probably pass in a day or two...however, it could lead to other things such as dehydration and that could make other things worse... Any way, if it is food p...

A Cold/Flu and Depression?

Especially with the flu, this is not uncommon.

...

Cold or flu?

It's too bad you didn't provide more detail as to how time elapsed between the vax and your first symptoms. When you got the flu vax, you may already have had the virus. My guess is you...

Can the flu cause spotting?

I doubt that your pregnant. You are probably getting an abnormal period because of all the stress the flu has put your body through. You also may have had a sudden weight drop which could have thro...