Ellen Rehm
In the recent years, many younger children have been preferring the flu mist instead of the flu shot. My 13 year old sister included. My sister is terrified of shots therefore she thinks the flu mist is a better option for her, yet my mom is worried of the side effects.
FluMist is the brand of the flu vaccine thats given in a nasal spray. There are no needles involved in the FluMist, unlike the flu shot. FluMist is especially appealing to kids who do not like the sight of needles.
The FluMist is made from weakened live viruses. The weakened live virus reproduces inside the persons nose and produces viruses that the immune system learns to attack. It is still unclear whether the flu shot or the nasal spray flu vaccine is more effective.
Side effects with the FluMist include runny nose, headache, wheezing, vomiting, muscle aches, and fever in children. In adults, the side effects are runny nose, headache, sore throat, and cough. The Flu
Mist does not cause the flu which is a common belief.
Source: Cold, Flu, & Cough Health Center. What is FluMist? 27 August 2013. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/flu-guide/questions-answers-nasal-spray-flu-vaccine
No comments:
Post a Comment