Common Myths about the Flu
Myth: A flu vaccine can you give the flu.
Fact: The flu vaccine cannot cause the flu illness. The viruses in the vaccine are either killed (flu shot) or weakened (nasal spray vaccine), which means that they cannot cause an infection.
Myth: The “stomach flu” and influenza are the same thing.
Fact: The “stomach flu” is a popular term used to describe stomach or intestinal disease. The flu is a respiratory (lung) disease. People with the flu often feel some or all of the following symptoms: fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, and muscle aches. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea can occur with the flu, but are more common in children than adults.
Myth: Getting a flu vaccine in December or later is too late.
Fact: The CDC recommends that everyone get vaccinated as soon as the vaccine becomes available in the flu season, which generally begins in October. However, vaccination will usually continue into December, January, and beyond. Influenza activity peaks in February most years, but disease can occur as late as May.
Myth: The flu is not a serious illness.
Fact: The flu is a serious contagious disease that causes illness and related hospitalizations and deaths every year in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 5 to 20 percent of the United States population contracts the flu annually. Approximately 200,000 of those individuals are then hospitalized for flu complications, and approximately 3,000 to 49,000 people die of flu-related problems.
Myth: You cannot spread the flu to others before you have the symptoms.
Facts: Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five or seven days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass the flu onto to someone else before you even know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.
Myth: There is no treatment for the flu.
Fact: There are prescription medications known as “antiviral drugs” that can be used to treat the flu. However, antivirals are not a substitute for getting a yearly flu vaccine because vaccination is the first and best way to prevent influenza.
Myth: I got vaccinated last year so I do not need to get a vaccine this year.
Fact: The CDC recommends yearly vaccination. New flu vaccines are made each year, and are updated to fight against the three influenza viruses that research suggests will be the most common. Additionally, immunity will decline over time, so a yearly vaccination is required for optimal protection.
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Healthpointe is a leading multidisciplinary healthcare organization offering a full range of medical services in practice locations throughout Southern California (Los Angeles county, Orange county, San Bernardino county and Riverside county). Healthpointe has locations situated in over 10 cities in Southern California including Anaheim, which is conveniently located near Fullerton, Placentia, Villa Park, Buena Park, Cypress, Cerritos, and Garden Grove. As a highly regarded musculoskeletal group, we have a personal investment in the highest level of service, and we are proud of our record of excellence over the last four decades with private patients, injured workers, urgent care, personal injuries, and professional and non-professional athletes. Leading our organization is a dynamic team of healthcare professionals who continually strive to be at the forefront of medical innovation and healthcare service delivery. For more information, a complete list of services, and Healthpointe locations, visit healthpointe.net.