Flu shots have surprising health benefits (besides preventing flu)
Flu shots have surprising health benefits (besides preventing flu)
Flu
vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones
from flu and the serious complications that can come with it.
Flu vaccinations prevent millions of illnesses and doctor visits each year. Flu is highly contagious and thus we all must consider getting a flu shot, especially now when the world is already dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here are 5 convincing reasons why you must get a flu shot.
What is influenza?
Influenza
is a viral infection that attacks your respiratory system - nose, lungs
and throat. It is commonly called flu but is different from stomach flu
viruses that cause vomiting and diarrhoea.
It can help prevent serious health conditions
As
per the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, vaccination reduces
the risk of flu-related hospitalisations by 40 per cent. It also reduces
the chances that the flu will make you land in ICU. Common symptoms of
flu-like fever, low appetite, vomiting and diarrhoea can lead to
dehydration and pneumonia. If you have respiratory issues or diabetes,
getting flu can be dangerous.
Expecting mothers can pass on the benefits to their unborn babies
Pregnant
women are particularly at risk of getting flu and are more likely to
get severe symptoms than women who are not pregnant. It's important for
pregnant women to get vaccinated during their early pregnancy.
If you are pregnant, the benefits double as the flu-fighting benefits are transferred to your baby and can last up to six months after your baby is born, till the time your little one is old enough to get a flu shot.
Lowers death rate for people with high blood pressure
In
people suffering from high blood pressure, the flu vaccine can reduce
death risk by 18 per cent during the flu season, says new research
presented at the European Society of Cardiology's World Congress of
Cardiology.
As per the study, patients with high BP saw a decrease in heart attack, stroke and death risk when they received the flu shot.
It protects others who are unable to get a flu shot
Getting
the flu shot helps decrease the overall spread of influenza, which is
good for everyone. Getting vaccinated means we are playing a part in
preventing a big flu epidemic.
Flu vaccine can be life-saving in kids
A study conducted in 2017 found that flu vaccination can significantly reduce a child's risk of dying from flu.
How dangerous can influenza be?
In most people, influenza resolves on its own but in some cases, it can lead to some deadly complications. Some people are more prone to catching influenza than others, like children under the age of 5, pregnant women, adults over 65, people with weakened immune systems, people suffering from chronic illnesses and people who are obese.