Keiko Smythe, Staff
The winter of 2017 leading into 2018 has been one of the worst flu seasons in nearly a decade. The flu is a common viral infection that can every so often, be deadly. The flu season usually occurs in the winter months and can easily be spread with something just as simple as a physical interaction with the infectee. The flu is easy to contact but very difficult to dispel. The symptoms of the flu virus include muscle pain, dehydration, coughs, chills, fatigue, loss of appetite, sweating and overall discomfort. Just like there is no cure for the common cold there is also no cure for the common flu. The flu vaccination is supposed to keep you flu prone during the flu season, however there are various side effects and complications behind this “treatment.” In fact, there are many other and much more healthier ways to keep your immune system strong this flu season!
- Flu Shot Complications?
Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after the vaccination process which cause these antibodies to provide protection against infection with the viruses that are in the vaccine. On the other hand, if your immune system is low and/or out of balance when the virus is introduced into your body with the vaccination, it could result to health consequences. Effects of the flu shot are nausea, headaches and muscle aches which makes plenty of parents and potential clients skeptical. There are studies that show that the vaccination doesn’t even work. The Center for Disease Control said that much of this year’s seasonal flu vaccine doesn’t match the projected resource that’s in the flu shots now and that it’s just too late to change it. However, while admitting there’s a great percentage that this year’s flu shot will not work, the CDC recommends to keep giving the shots to those willing and to take a chance anyways.
- Easy Prevention Tactics
It’s easy to prevent viruses and sickness to protect your immune system during the flu season. In the winter, viruses are very active, so it is very important to keep yourself healthy and your immune system healthy. Ways to prevent the spread of the flu is to avoid close contact with someone who is infected and if you do, try to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth afterwards and wash your hands immediately with antibacterial soap. Another way is to simply stay at home when have become infected, since it is the easiest way to prevent others from catching the virus.
So why is the flu so deadly this year? The lack of vaccine effectiveness and decrease in prevention results in more total infections. This leads leads into more hospitalization which is the main reason the flu is increasingly contagious this flu season. There are a plethora of reasons for the outbreak, but if we keep our bodies clean, our immune systems thriving and use these helpful tactics to prevent the spread of the flu, the number of infected will decrease.
The Spotlight 