Why You Should Get a Flu Shot
Getting your annual flu shot may seem like a chore, but it is, in fact, one of the best ways to prevent more severe cases of the flu during the season and help the immune system adapt to newer versions of the virus that have adapted over time. Even if the flu may not seem like a severe illness, people can still likely die from the flu as much as any other seasonal illness. The flu begins during the fall months and peaks during the winter months, and according to the CDC, between 9.3 and 49 million cases of the flu occur each year in the United States alone. The vaccine isn’t a 100% guarantee against the virus, but it can prevent you from catching the flu in the future.
How Does The Flu Work?
The flu, known medically as influenza, is the most common reoccurring virus in the world. Influenza infects the respiratory system, attacking the nose, throat, and lungs. The virus occurs in four types, Type A, B, C, and D. The Type A virus is the only influenza virus known to cause global pandemics. Type B causes seasonal epidemics that affect people almost every winter. Type C causes mild versions of the illness and don’t cause epidemics, and Type D is primarily transmitted through cattle and other animals and aren’t known to infect humans. When talking about the vaccine, doctors are concerned mainly with Type A and B, as they’re most likely to cause a massive illness spread.
The Influenza virus in both Type A and B forms can change and morph in two ways: antigenic drift and antigenic shift. When drifting, the influenza virus genes mutate the proteins or antigens, which prevent the immune system from recognizing the virus once it enters the system. During an antigenic drift, these changes happen gradually, and flu shots are designed to allow the immune system to recognize the antigens before it spreads further. During an antigenic shift, these proteins’ changes mutate drastically, such as when the influenza virus transmits from animals to humans. In 2009, the H1N1 virus pandemic was transmitted from swine and birds, causing the pandemic.
How Do Flu Shots Prevent Infection?
Because the flu occurs every year, the virus is continuously evolving in how it’s transmitted and what symptoms it shows. Flu vaccines work by aiding the body in developing antibodies. These antibodies protect against the infection. Throughout the United States, the vaccine protects against four versions of Type A and Type B. Some vaccines have variants in what they contain and are explicitly designed for people 65 and older to help create a more robust immune response. Millions of people get the flu each year and depending on how healthy the immune system is, the flu can even lead to hospitalization and death.
Flu vaccines should be taken every year to protect yourself and those around you from catching the illness. To get your annual flu shot and receive primary family care, contact Dr. Trang D Nyugen at Conroe Family Doctor in Conroe, TX, for more information.
