Good Morning Potential Patients:

For years I have been avoiding getting a Seasonal Flu Shot because the one time I did (1999), I came down with the worst case of it in my life.  I really thought I was gonna die!

This year, the Flu has already claimed the life of three people in California alone and “experts” say that the west coast hasn’t even hit the normal “start” of The Season.

So am I getting The Shot?  I am considering it.  But first some facts.

The Flu vaccine (as with all vaccines) is “inactivated” – meaning that the viruses it contains (which include what research shows to be the three most common of the upcoming season) are killed.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that everyone who is at least 6 months of age should be vaccinated; especially those who are considered “high risk” of developing severe complications to the illness like those who have asthma, diabetes and chronic lung disease, pregnant women and seniors.  People who live and work with the aforementioned types of individuals should also be vaccinated for their protection as well as the protection of those they serve.

Those who should NOT be vaccinated include anyone who has ever had a sever allergic reaction to eggs, a previous flu shot or had the paralytic illness Guillain-Barre Syndrome.  Also, if you have a fever when you are set to get your Shot, reschedule.  However, if you are only suffering a mild illness WITHOUT a fever, you can safely proceed.

Some common side effects that might occur after getting The Shot are soreness, redness or swelling where the shot was administered, a low-grade fever and body aches.  However, The Flu itself, while possibly still “caught”, is NOT a potential side effect.

People who do develop the illness even after receiving the vaccine do so for several reasons.  First many may have been exposed to the virus shortly before getting vaccinated or during the two-week period after when the body is still gaining its protection.  Others, while still “sick” may actually be suffering from a “non-flu” virus with similar symptoms.  Also common is that “vaccinated flu sufferers” may have succumbed to a flu virus that wasn’t one of the three included in the preventative shot.  Finally, there are those whose immune isn’t up to snuff when getting vaccinated and therefore actually become LESS immune after and despite getting The Shot and actually do get the flu they were trying to avoid.  But, believe it or not, studies have shown that individuals who fall into this category suffer less severely even if the virus is contracted as a result of their immune system being compromised.

So, what happened on this date in history?  January 20, 1968 – The Game of the Century.  The University of Houston Cougars ends UCLA’s 47-game basketball winning streak, 71-69.