MADISON (WKOW) — As COVID-19 circumstances proceed to unfold throughout Wisconsin, medical doctors and well being care professionals are urging folks to get a flu shot to keep away from a “twindemic.”
On Tuesday, UW Well being specialists busted seven widespread myths that associate with getting a flu vaccine.
Delusion 1: The flu vaccine can provide the flu. The flu shot incorporates “inactive” virus that can’t trigger an an infection. For those who have been to contract influenza shortly after receiving the vaccine, it’s as a result of it takes as much as two weeks for the vaccine to grow to be efficient within the physique.
Delusion 2: The flu is extra harmful than COVID-19. Each are critical viruses, with comparable signs, and each might be deadly. Nonetheless, it’s a mistake to assume COVID-19 is rather like a flu. COVID-19 seems to be extra contagious than the flu. Extreme diseases akin to lung harm could also be extra frequent with COVID-19. The mortality fee additionally seems to be increased with COVID-19.
Delusion 3: You don’t have to get the flu vaccine yearly. The vaccine turns into much less efficient over time and for the reason that strains of influenza that flow into change over time, the vaccine formulation modifications annually. It is very important get a flu vaccine yearly.
Delusion 4: Flu vaccines comprise harmful or dangerous substances. Some persons are nervous about sure substances utilized in some vaccines. Nonetheless, all respected analysis reveals that these substances are usually not dangerous within the tiny quantities contained in flu vaccines.
Delusion: 5: For those who don’t get a flu shot by November, it’s too late. It’s virtually by no means too late to get a flu shot! The flu season can final by way of April so getting a flu shot “late” is at all times higher than skipping it. For those who haven’t gotten one but, make an appointment in the present day.
Delusion 6: Wholesome folks don’t want the flu vaccine. Everybody 6 months and older ought to get vaccinated for the flu. Influenza is a contagious illness that may result in critical sickness, pneumonia, and even hospitalization for in any other case wholesome folks. Plus, wholesome folks can unfold the virus to those that are weak to critical influenza infections, together with new child infants, senior residents and people with weakened immune techniques.
Delusion 7: The influenza vaccine (or flu shot) will shield you from the “abdomen flu.” Abdomen flu (or ‘gastroenteritis’) is when abdomen and intestines are infected and irritated inflicting vomiting and diarrhea. Influenza is a virus that causes respiratorysymptoms like fever, cough, congestion, fatigue, and when critical can result in pneumonia.