Myth â Only old people get flu. Fact â Anyone of any age can catch flu â but certain people are more at risk of se
Flu myths and facts Myth – Only old people get flu Fact – Anyone of any age can catch flu – but certain people are more at risk of serious side effects. This group includes older people and people of any age who have certain long-term medical conditions like heart, lung, liver or kidney problems or lowered immunity due to disease or treatments. Patients with underlying health conditions are 11 times more likely to die from flu than healthy people. Pregnant women are also at greater risk. Healthcare workers are at an increased risk of flu compared to the general adult population – especially those with frontline clinical patient contact (Kuster et al. 2011)*
Myth – I got the flu vaccine years ago and it gave me flu,never again! Fact – The flu vaccine is an inactivated vaccine which means that the flu viruses in the vaccine have been killed and cannot cause flu. If you got sick after the vaccine, this may have been a cold or another bug. The vaccine takes 10 days to work, so you may have been unlucky and caught the flu just before getting vaccinated. It was not the vaccine!
Myth – The flu vaccine hasn’t been tested, it’s not safe! Fact – All vaccines, including flu vaccines, have to be tested before they can be licensed in the UK, and they have to be licensed before they can be used. Also remember that flu vaccines have been in use since the 1960s, and around a million doses are administered every year in Scotland alone – it’s one of the most commonly administered medicines. Like all medicines, some patients will experience side effects to flu vaccination, but these are generally mild and usually resolve without treatment.
Myth – There’s mercury in the vaccine Fact – There is no mercury present in the vaccines used in Scotland. One vaccine may have a tiny amount of ethylmercury or ‘thiomersal’ left in it from the manufacturing process but, ethylmercury is completely safe. You would get more mercury from a single tuna sandwich than from the flu vaccine.
* Kuster; S. P., et al., Incidence of influenza in healthy adults and healthcare workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One,2011.6:e26239
Myth – It’s dangerous for pregnant women and their babies to be vaccinated Fact – When you’re pregnant, your immune system changes, so women are at greater risk of complications from flu, such as having a miscarriage or going into premature labour. The flu vaccine will protect you and your unborn child and it can also protect your baby for three months after birth, providing extra peace of mind during that crucial first stage. Pregnant women who contract flu are five times more likely to have a stillborn baby in the first week following birth. They are also three times more likely to deliver prematurely. The vaccine is offered free to all pregnant women and is endorsed by the Royal College of Midwives, as well as Scotland’s Chief Medical and Chief Nursing Officers.
Myth – Flu is just a bad cold Fact – Colds and flu are caused by different strains of virus and the effects vary hugely. Colds come on gradually (runny nose, then sore throat, then a cough) but flu hits you straight away and most commonly with a fever. Flu is a much more dangerous virus which can lead to serious infections and illness. It’s a contagious disease of the respiratory tract (nose, throat, and lungs) that can lead to complications including pneumonia, bronchitis, meningitis and encephalitis. It can cause worsening of chronic conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. Amongst even healthy people flu can disrupt your work and social plans for up to two weeks and you can expect to have a fever, headaches, extreme tiredness, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, and body aches. People of all ages are seriously affected by flu every year.
Myth – Antibiotics can cure flu Fact – Absolutely not. Antibiotics kill bacteria. Flu is caused by viruses, which don’t respond to antibiotics. Sometimes people who experience complications as a result of flu can be given antibiotics because they develop a bacterial infection (such as pneumonia) – but this is not flu itself. Instead, it is the result of the body being weakened by the virus and letting bacteria take hold. The best way to protect yourself against flu is to get vaccinated as early as possible.
Myth – The flu vaccine protects you straight away Fact – It actually takes about ten days for you to be protected against flu after you get the vaccine – so theoretically you could be immunised and then pick up flu before you are fully protected. That is why it is best to get the vaccine as early as possible and before there are lots of flu viruses circulating. The vaccine is available from October to March.
Myth – The flu vaccine will stop me from catching a cold Fact – No, it won’t. The flu vaccine protects you against flu viruses. Colds are caused by other less serious viruses that are completely different from flu. You may still get winter colds after getting the flu vaccine, but you’re much less likely to get flu itself, which is potentially a much more serious condition.
Myth – The vaccine isn’t effective Fact – Being immunised is the best protection available against an unpredictable virus that can cause severe illness. During the last 10 years, the flu vaccine has generally been a good match for the circulating strains of flu, even though it is not possible to predict exactly which strains will circulate each year.
Myth – You can’t catch flu that easily, especially if you are fit and healthy Fact – Flu is very infectious. Anyone can catch flu. Flu viruses are spread by coughing, spluttering, sneezing and other ways of sharing your germs. If you see someone building up for a big sneeze, move away from the line of fire. In fact, one sneeze from someone with flu can project between 2,000 and 5,000 particles of virus-filled droplets at a speed of 100mph. Anyone within 3 feet of that sneeze is unlikely to avoid those droplets and therefore could become infected with the virus. Regular and thorough hand washing is one of the easiest ways to prevent the spread of flu.
Myth – There are lots of people who work for NHS Scotland. Vaccinating healthcare workers may deplete the supplies of the flu vaccine, meaning there is not enough to go around those with health conditions, who need it most. I am a healthy nurse and therefore feel that I should not get the vaccine. Fact – It is particularly important for nurses and other healthcare workers to get the vaccine. It is the best defence against flu and will help stop you spreading it to your vulnerable patients, as well as your colleagues and family. The seasonal flu vaccination for all eligible groups comes from the same NHS Scotland supply and the amount produced annually is enough to cover all at-risk conditions, healthcare workers, pregnant women and those aged 65 and over. Healthcare workers do not need to be concerned about using up vaccine supply and all eligible groups can receive the flu vaccination annually.
