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Doctor dispels flu-related rumors
By VALERIE JONES
It’s that time of year again.
Flu season is fast approaching and many physicians are encouraging people to get their annual flu shot.
Some will oblige and some won’t, but with five to 20 percent of the U.S. population getting the flu each year according to the Centers for Disease Control, the vaccine might be worth a shot.
Many people choose not to get a flu shot because of myths circulating about them. Latha Brubaker, area medical director for Concentra in Houston, addressed some of the most commonly-heard myths.
• You can catch the flu from the flu vaccine.
“This is probably one of the biggest myths regarding flu shots,” Brubaker said. “A flu shot is actually an injectable vaccine made from an inactive virus. There are certain strains in a flu vaccine that we try to capture. If one season someone gets a different strain of the virus, it’s not from the vaccine.”
• Getting a flu shot every year weakens your immune system.
“It actually prepares and boosts a person’s immune system to help them fight the virus,” Brubaker said. “It does wear off, so we have to get it every year. People who do are better protected than those that don’t.”
• Contraction of the flu can be avoided through simple, general health practices.
“The flu is a respiratory virus,” Brubaker said. “Though frequent hand-washing is important, it’s almost impossible to make sure your surroundings are without the virus.”
• The flu is spread through direct contact from an infected person to another.
“The flu virus can be spread from someone’s cough or sneeze who is in close proximity of you,” Brubaker said. “Flu shots are recommended highly for those who work in health care and other high-risk groups like children through the age of 18 and the elderly.”
• Pregnant women should not get flu shots.
“No studies have shown any risks associated with pregnant women getting flu shots,” Brubaker said. “It’s totally fine and recommended. A woman can be immunized at any stage of her pregnancy during flu season.”
National Influenza Vaccination Week is Dec. 8-14.
All 11 Concentra Houston locations are offering flu shots. Visit www.concentra.com to learn more.
Flu season is fast approaching and many physicians are encouraging people to get their annual flu shot.
Some will oblige and some won’t, but with five to 20 percent of the U.S. population getting the flu each year according to the Centers for Disease Control, the vaccine might be worth a shot.
Many people choose not to get a flu shot because of myths circulating about them. Latha Brubaker, area medical director for Concentra in Houston, addressed some of the most commonly-heard myths.
• You can catch the flu from the flu vaccine.
“This is probably one of the biggest myths regarding flu shots,” Brubaker said. “A flu shot is actually an injectable vaccine made from an inactive virus. There are certain strains in a flu vaccine that we try to capture. If one season someone gets a different strain of the virus, it’s not from the vaccine.”
• Getting a flu shot every year weakens your immune system.
“It actually prepares and boosts a person’s immune system to help them fight the virus,” Brubaker said. “It does wear off, so we have to get it every year. People who do are better protected than those that don’t.”
• Contraction of the flu can be avoided through simple, general health practices.
“The flu is a respiratory virus,” Brubaker said. “Though frequent hand-washing is important, it’s almost impossible to make sure your surroundings are without the virus.”
• The flu is spread through direct contact from an infected person to another.
“The flu virus can be spread from someone’s cough or sneeze who is in close proximity of you,” Brubaker said. “Flu shots are recommended highly for those who work in health care and other high-risk groups like children through the age of 18 and the elderly.”
• Pregnant women should not get flu shots.
“No studies have shown any risks associated with pregnant women getting flu shots,” Brubaker said. “It’s totally fine and recommended. A woman can be immunized at any stage of her pregnancy during flu season.”
National Influenza Vaccination Week is Dec. 8-14.
All 11 Concentra Houston locations are offering flu shots. Visit www.concentra.com to learn more.
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