Be The Healthy U!
  • Healthy Blog
  • Healthy Recipes
  • Online Cooking Classes
  • I Can Help
  • 28-Day Program
  • Healthy Dog Blog
  • About Terri
  • Resources
  • Ask Dr. Terri
  • Testimonials

Flu Shots

9/28/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
A flu shot is an injection of a vaccine that was made to protect against the three or four influenza (flu) viruses that, based on research, are expected to be the most common in the upcoming season. Traditional flu vaccines protect against three different flu viruses, including two influenza A viruses and one influenza B virus. A new vaccine is available this season that protects against four different flu viruses, including two influenza A viruses and two influenza B viruses. Although, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) does not recommend one flu vaccine over the other.

A flu shot cannot give you the flu because the viruses in the vaccine have been inactivated and are therefore not infectious. However, even if you do get a flu shot, you could still get the flu. There are many more flu viruses than the three or four viruses covered by the flu shot, and you could be exposed to a flu virus that’s not covered if one is going around. Other ways you could get the flu are by being exposed to a flu virus before getting the flu shot or less than two weeks after getting the flu shot, before your body gains protection.

Flu vaccines are approved for anyone at least 6 months of age, and are recommended for everyone who is at least 6 months of age. Be aware that some of the vaccines are manufactured using virus grown in eggs, so if you are allergic to eggs, be sure to let the administrator of the vaccine know so that you don’t get injected with one grown in eggs. As an alternative, you can request one grown in cell culture if you’re 18 or older. For more information, go to the CDC website (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/flushot.htm) or ask your doctor.

Last year I did not get a flu shot, and it was the first time I ever made it through an entire flu season without getting sick at all. In fact, I haven’t been sick in about a year and a half, which is extremely unusual for me given that I typically get sick 2-3 times every year. I attribute that to my whole food plant-based lifestyle, which I’ve been practicing for almost two years. Yet another great reason to eat lots and lots of whole, plant-based foods!

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Terri Quenzer, PhD

    Terri has a passion for good health and for helping others find happiness in themselves through better health! Through her scientific and life experiences, her goal is to help you reach your healthy goals!

    ​Be The Healthy U!: nominated for San Diego's Best Nutrition/Cooking Classes of 2016!

    Picture
    Catch Terri's interview about plant-based nutrition on KCQB 1170 AM - click here.

    How Not to Die: Terri interviews New York Times Bestselling Author Michael Greger, MD. Listen below.
    Terri speaks with Jordan Hoffman of Jordan Hoffman Acupuncture about what to eat and East vs West.
    Picture

    Click Here To Sign Up For Your Free Newsletter

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    September 2017
    May 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012

    Categories

    All