Influenza (the flu) is different from the common cold. Both are caused by viruses and can produce the same symptoms, but the flu is generally much more severe. Most people describe higher temperatures and severe body aches when they have the flu and not a cold.
A flu vaccine contains inactivated viruses (viruses that are killed), so you cannot get the flu from a flu shot. The shot is designed to allow your body to develop protection (antibodies) without actually getting sick. This happens about two weeks after receiving the vaccine. Up to that point, you are still at risk of getting the flu, just not from the shot.
Minor side effects associated with the flue vaccine include: soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site, low-grade fever, and body aches. The flu vaccine doesn’t provide 100 percent protection against getting the flu. Experts try to predict the strain for that year, and match the vaccine with the virus. As you probably know by now, experts aren’t always right.
Next: Does coffee help improve memory?
Previous: Why does your skin get so dry in the winter?
"Can you get the flu from a flu shot?" was posted on Sunday, December 16th, 2007 at 11:42 pm.