A seasonal disease caused by the orthomyxoviridus virus, influenza causes 36,000 deaths annually in the United States, according to Oregon.gov. Influenza is highly contagious, spreading by airborne droplets and contaminated surfaces. The majority of influenza transmissions come from young, healthy, unvaccinated children and adults who, although infected and contagious, have no symptoms. Myths surrounding the flu may contribute to general misunderstandings and underestimations of the seriousness and possibly deadly complications that may occur from an influenza infection.
Myth 1: The flu vaccine is for people who have low immune systems.
Fact: The influenza virus is contagious and spreads easily among people; any one exposed to the virus may get the flu. High risk groups are the elderly, young children and individuals with chronic illness. Anyone in close contact with those at high risk need to get the flu shot to protect themselves and others.
Myth 2: I've been vaccinated once so I am always protected from the flu.
Fact: Each year, the dominant strains of the flu virus change. Getting vaccinated annually is the best way to protect against influenza.
Myth 3: The flu is like a bad cold and cannot cause serious health complications.
Fact: Although both the cold and flu are respiratory illnesses, they are caused by different viruses. The flu is worse than a cold and has symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness and dry cough. The flu can result in serious health problems such as bacterial pneumonia, sinus infections, ear infections, dehydration and worsening of chronic conditions such as congestive heart failure, asthma or diabetes, according to the American Lung Association.
Myth 4: Getting a flu shot will give me the flu.
The vaccine contains inactivated or dead virus and cannot cause disease.
Myth 5: Doctors are unable to diagnose the flu.
Physicians diagnose the flu based on symptoms and physical exam. The diagnosis may be verified by cultures from nasal passages and throat, or by blood tests to confirm an increase to antibodies to the virus, indicating a recent infection.
Myth 6: The influenza shot may prevent getting the stomach flu next year.
Many common respiratory and stomach infections are referred to as the flu, when in fact, influenza can cause more serious illness and complications. Common symptoms of the flu include: a high fever, 101 to 102 degrees F, that begins suddenly; sore throat; chills; cough; headache; and muscle aches. The influenza vaccine protects against the flu virus, not against viral gastroenteritis, also known as the stomach flu.
