$Unique_ID{BRK01430}
$Pretitle{Infections or Parasites}
$Title{The Need For a Flu Shot}
$Subject{athletics flu shot}
$Volume{A-23}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


The Need For a Flu Shot


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION:  My son is on a varsity college team.  His coach is advising him to
have a flu shot for this coming season, but I doubt the need for this
procedure.  He is a strong and healthy young man, has not had a day sick in
years.  Besides I heard that the flu shot can actually give you the flu, so
why take it if you don't need it.  What is your opinion?

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANSWER:  Your question is particularly interesting for this time of the year,
and offers me an opportunity to provide information of interest to all.  First
let me dispel any fears you have about the safety of the injection.  Since it
is prepared from killed viruses, it cannot cause an infection.  When we see
cases of flu developing shortly after an injection, it must be presumed that
the infection occurred before the actual injection rather than from it.  In
addition problems that existed previously, particularly the swine flu vaccine
of 1976, have now been corrected.  You may be right about the need in a young
vigorous young man, however.  The recommendations for flu vaccination are
directed at people who are at high risk from the complications of the flu.
They include the elderly, people who suffer with chronic conditions such as
diabetes, and those with disorders of the lungs and cardiovascular system.
However it has been noted that the classroom may be a breeding ground for all
infections that pass through the respiratory system.  Moving from one room to
another crowded with many people exposes the individual to contamination from
a large number of other people.  This is particularly true if your son's
college is located in an area where winter infections are prevalent.  The
coach may be thinking of assuring that your son is able to compete during the
season, as he must be a valuable player on the team.  There are a few
relatively benign side effects from the injection including soreness at the
site of injection, lasting up to 12 hours, which affects from 25 percent to 50
percent of the individuals taking the shot, and a mild fever that disappears
in less than 24 hours, which occurs in but 1 percent of the cases.  There is
controversy among physicians as to the advisability of giving the injection to
young athletes, so the choice is up to your son.
ÿ
----------------

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
