The influenza virus is an enveloped, single-stranded RNA virus with a segmented genome. The flu is spread by droplets suspended in the air as a result of coughing, sneezing or talking and infect another when these droplets land in the mouths or noses of those nearby. It can also spread by object vectors, meaning a person may touch an object with the virus on it and then touch their own mouth, nose or even eyes. Symptoms of influenza vary by person and even age but most commonly include muscle or body aches and fatigue. On average, between three and eleven percent of the US population get the flu every year.
The flu has an incubation period of between 1 and 4 days, allowing those who are unknowingly infected to spread the virus. According to the CDC, children are most likely to be infected with the flu while those over 65 are least likely. However, people at risk for developing serious complications resulting from infection by the influenza virus are those with any chronic medical condition (including asthma, heart disease and diabetes), those 65 and over, pregnant women, and young children. Complications resulting from infection such as pneumonia can be life-threatening and result in death.
The most important step to preventing flu is the vaccine. Flu vaccines are made every year by experts who attempt to predict the most common strand during the upcoming season. All vaccines are now “quadrivalent” meaning that protect against four different flu viruses. The effectiveness of vaccines vary by year. It is still early in the flu season to know how severe it will be. However, his year, the vaccine is not particularly effective against the strain rapidly spreading across the US and the current season began unusually early.
Even if the vaccine is against the wrong strain, it comes down to, having some kind of protection against the flu is better than none so everyone should be vaccinated. I believe that unless there is some actual reason that prevents someone from getting the vaccine than they should be vaccinated. Especially because for one, they do NOT cause autism regardless of what the generally uneducated believe and two, those who get vaccinated can help those unable to be vaccinated through herd immunity.
jill and micro 