Autumn is here! I adore the vibrant colors of the changing leaves, cozy pumpkin patch outings, and the refreshing chill in the air that calls for scarves and boots. My son and I celebrate our birthdays during this beautiful season, and I relish every moment of the festivities, scents, and sights that fall brings. However, with the arrival of autumn comes a less enjoyable time: flu season.
Ah, the flu—what a nuisance. Respiratory viruses truly make my life challenging, and influenza is among the worst offenders. With my youngest son having asthma, we diligently wash our hands and hope for the best throughout these colder months. To keep him as safe as possible, our family gets flu shots every September without fail. This year, being pregnant made it even more essential for me to get vaccinated, as a high fever from the flu can be detrimental for a developing fetus.
Despite our efforts, both my children started school this year, exposing them to a whirlwind of new germs. When my older son came home from school last week with a sudden high fever, the doctor suggested we test for strep and flu. Strep came back negative (thank goodness), but the flu test was positive. Ugh! My vaccinated child had the flu.
Naturally, this sent my anxiety skyrocketing. I could picture a long, uncomfortable week ahead, worried especially about my asthmatic son and the baby. I assumed that if my older son’s flu shot didn’t protect him from this strain, then our shots were likely ineffective as well. I called my OB for advice in case I developed a high fever and promptly canceled all our weekend plans. I stocked up on soup, juice, Jell-o, and popsicles, preparing for the worst.
Surprisingly, it didn’t turn out to be as dire as I anticipated. My older son spent one day feeling under the weather, taking naps and watching the Toy Story series. He didn’t have much of an appetite and went to bed early. The next day, he woke up completely fine, but my little one then developed a cough and fever. While he was a bit whiny, he didn’t lose his usual energy.
On the following day, both kids had temperatures hovering around 100 degrees without medication, but their personalities and appetites returned to normal. We decided to stay home a couple more days to avoid spreading the virus, and once we were 24 hours fever-free, we resumed our activities. The Jell-o and popsicles I bought remained untouched in the kitchen, as nobody wanted or needed them. Luckily, I never got sick, nor did my husband.
What I thought would be a severe bout of illness turned out to be just a simple cough and fever—nothing too troubling. This experience is exactly why our family always gets flu shots.
I know what you’re thinking: Shouldn’t I be questioning the efficacy of the flu shot since my kids still caught the flu? Absolutely not. The flu shot wasn’t the reason they got sick; that misconception is unfounded. While the immune response to the flu vaccine can cause mild discomfort, it cannot lead to a flu infection, as the vaccine contains only killed viruses, which cannot reproduce.
High vaccination rates are crucial in defending against the flu, which claims thousands of lives annually. Science shows that even if someone does contract the flu after being vaccinated, the outcomes are typically less severe. Vaccinated individuals are less likely to require hospitalization. For those with chronic conditions, like my son with asthma, the flu shot can prevent serious complications. A 2017 study even indicated that vaccinated children are less likely to die from influenza than their unvaccinated peers.
In short, while the flu is a miserable illness, receiving the flu shot still plays a vital role in reducing its severity and duration. Even my son with asthma managed to avoid major complications, as we didn’t need the inhaler or nebulizer at all.
The reality is that flu shots don’t guarantee immunity, but they significantly lower the risk of severe illness. Influenza mutates rapidly, making it difficult to create a perfect vaccine. Nevertheless, getting vaccinated is still essential. It not only protects you but also those who cannot receive the flu shot due to allergies or health conditions.
Scientists are optimistic about developing a universal flu vaccine in the future. Until that day comes, annual flu shots are the best protection we have, and it’s not too late to get yours. If you’re able, I genuinely encourage you to consider it.
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Summary:
In summary, despite my children receiving flu shots, they still contracted the flu. However, their experience was mild, underscoring the importance of vaccination. The flu shot may not provide total immunity, but it significantly lessens the severity of illness and complications, particularly for those with pre-existing conditions. Our family’s commitment to flu vaccinations remains steadfast, as it plays a crucial role in protecting both our health and that of our community.
Keyphrase: flu shot effectiveness
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