Influenza and cold + flu vaccine

Can the flu shot trigger a harmful immune reaction?

Although it's an extremely uncommon reaction to the flu vaccine, a very small number of individuals may develop Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a rare disorder in which the body's immune system attacks nerve cells, causing muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis. The CDC estimates that the risk of GBS after vaccination is fewer than 1 or 2 cases per million people vaccinated. The Mayo Clinic notes that most people recover from GBS, and several treatments can ease symptoms and reduce the duration of the illness. The mortality rate is between 4 and 7 percent. GBS can also occur after illness from the flu itself, the CDC notes. And, although it is also very rare, GBS is more common following flu illness than flu vaccination. Ultimately, the potential side effects of a flu shot are nothing compared with the damage the virus itself can inflict

Can you get the flu vaccine if immunocompromised?

Another misconception is that individuals with chronic conditions who may be immunocompromised may have a worse reaction to the vaccine because they are more vulnerable. Health officials say this is not so. "When we say that the vaccine is universally recommended for ages 6 months and above, we mean it," says Dr. Conway. "The only group that should absolutely not get it again would be somebody with a genuine allergic reaction to the vaccine — obviously, they should avoid it." "Older people and people with underlying conditions should really even be higher priority than others to get the flu vaccine," says Dean Winslow, MD, an infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine in California.

When should you see your doctor for a fever?

As for a fever that's too high, that depends on a couple of other factors. If you're over 65 or immunocompromised — especially if you may have been exposed to COVID-19 — call your doctor if your fever reaches 101°. Anyone with a fever of 103° or higher should do the same. And if your temperature reaches 105°, go straight to an emergency room.

Should pregnant people get the flu vaccine?

Being pregnant also puts you at an increased risk of more severe illness from the flu. This is due to changes in the immune system, heart, and lungs that occur during pregnancy (and last up to two weeks postpartum). "We definitely recommend as a general rule that all pregnant women should be vaccinated," says Dr. Winslow. "There's no risk to the mother or the fetus." He adds, "Some pregnant women who have contracted the flu have been severely affected and died." The flu vaccine offers protection against the flu to both the mother and the baby.

What are complications of cold and flu? Describe complication.

Bronchitis Bronchitis — inflammation of the airways that carry air to and from the lungs — is commonly caused by cold and flu viruses, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Bacteria and inhaled irritants can also cause bronchitis. The most common symptom is coughing laced with mucus. Others include shortness of breath and wheezing. (7) Dehydration Colds and the flu can affect the appetite, decreasing the amount of food and fluids a person takes in. This can lead to dehydration. Other factors can include symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and fever, according to the Mayo Clinic (8). Signs of dehydration in infants or young children include listlessness, no wet diapers for three hours, a dry mouth and tongue, and no tears when crying. Adults may develop extreme thirst, urinate less, produce darker-colored urine, or feel dizzy, confused, or fatigued. (9)Severe dehydration is a medical emergency and may require treatment with intravenous fluids. Ear Infection "Earaches are common with colds, because of inflammation of the eardrum," Dr. Rosenfeld says. Children are especially susceptible to middle-ear infections because their Eustachian tubes (which connect the ear and back of the nose) are shorter, floppier, and more horizontal than those of adults, which makes it easier for bacteria in the back of the nose to reach the ear. Myocarditis Myocarditis, inflammation of the middle layer of the wall of the heart (the myocardium), can be caused by cold or flu viruses, as well as the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19, according to the Mayo Clinic. It may begin with mild symptoms, such as fatigue or shortness of breath, but it can lead to arrhythmia (rapid or abnormal heart rhythms), heart attack, or stroke. (10) Myositis Viral infections like influenza can cause inflammation that dama

Who is at risk for complications from the cold and flu?

Certain groups of people are more susceptible to complications from getting a cold or the flu, including the very young, older adults, and people with a compromised immune system. Factors that can increase your risk of becoming infected include: Age Children younger than 5 and adults over 65 are at a higher risk for developing complications from the flu, according to the CDC. Weakened Immune System Viruses can more easily infiltrate the body if you have a weakened immune system. Certain chronic illnesses, such as cancer, HIV or AIDS, and autoimmune diseases, raise your risk of catching a cold or the flu, according to the CDC. Using immunosuppressive medications, such as steroids, biologics, chemotherapy, or transplant medications, also raises your risk. Smoking Chronic smoking makes your respiratory system more vulnerable to cold and flu viruses and complications. The American Lung Association reports that cold symptoms tend to be more severe in smokers. Pregnancy Women in their second or third trimester are particularly susceptible to complications from the flu. "We're not exactly sure why, but there has always been a question of whether or not the immune system changes during pregnancy," says Laura Riley, MD, the chair of obstetrics and gynecology at Weill Cornell Medicine and the obstetrician-gynecologist in chief at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City.

How long does it take for cold symptoms go develop and how is it transmitted?

Common cold symptoms typically develop about one to three days after exposure to cold-causing viruses. Common cold symptoms typically develop about one to three days after exposure to cold-causing viruses. These viruses can be spread through the air, personal contact, and respiratory secretions — encounters such as a handshake, touching contaminated objects, and exposure to an infected person's sneezes or coughs, notes the Mayo Clinic. Shouting, singing, or even simply talking can also release contaminated droplets into the air, which can then be inhaled, transmitting the virus, according to Houston Methodist.

Should people with egg allergies get the flu vaccine?

Everyone 6 months and older with egg allergy should receive an annual flu vaccine. Any flu vaccine (egg based or non-egg based) that is otherwise appropriate for the recipient's age and health status can be used. Egg allergy does not indicate additional safety measures for flu vaccination beyond those recommended for any recipient of any vaccine, regardless of severity of previous reaction to egg. Severe and life-threatening reactions to vaccines are rare, but can occur with any vaccine and in any vaccine recipient, regardless of allergy history. All vaccines should be administered in settings in which personnel and equipment needed for rapid recognition and treatment of acute hypersensitivity reactions are available.

What causes the flu vs what causes a cold

Flu is caused by influenza viruses only, whereas the common cold can be caused by a number of different viruses, including rhinoviruses, parainfluenza, and seasonal coronaviruses

Can cold or flu treatment cause complications?

For instance, taking too much acetaminophen (Tylenol) can damage the liver. According to the Cleveland Clinic, adults should not take more than 4 grams a day. For people with liver conditions, the limit is 2 grams per day. (17) Aspirin has been associated with a risk of Reye's (also called Reye) syndrome in children and teenagers who have a viral infection such as the flu. Reye's syndrome is a rare but serious condition that causes swelling of the brain and liver damage, according to the Mayo Clinic. (18) Prescription antiviral drugs for treating the flu may have side effects. The most common side effects of oseltamivir (Tamiflu), for instance, are nausea and vomiting. (19)

Difference between cold and flu infection

In general, flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms are typically more intense and begin more abruptly. Colds are usually milder than flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose than people who have flu. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations. Flu can have serious associated complications. Unlike a cold, the flu is usually accompanied by fever, and influenza symptoms tend to come on more suddenly. Chills are common with the flu but not with a cold, per the CDC. "Run-of-the-mill colds usually make you feel lousy but should not interfere with daily activities," says Stephen Russell, MD, an associate professor of medicine at the University of Alabama in Birmingham.

What are the flu symptoms?

Influenza (flu) can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Flu symptoms usually come on suddenly. People who have flu often feel some or all of these symptoms: fever* or feeling feverish/chills cough sore throat runny or stuffy nose muscle or body aches headaches fatigue (tiredness) some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults. *It's important to note that not everyone with flu will have a fever.

What are concerns regarding influenza C and D?

Influenza C Like influenza A and B, these viruses are found in humans. But influenza C viruses are milder and not thought to cause epidemics. Seasonal flu vaccines, which contain strains of influenza A and B, do not protect against influenza C viruses, cautions the CDC. Influenza D This strain of influenza is not known to cause illness in humans. A relatively new strain, it primarily affects cattle, though one report notes that it could eventually pose more of a threat to humans.

What are the similarities and differences of cold vs flu?

Influenza, or the flu, can be tricky to tell apart from the common cold. Both are respiratory illnesses caused by viruses, and they share many symptoms. The common cold and the flu are both contagious, but cold symptoms tend to be milder and improve within a week to 10 days, according to the Mayo Clinic. While most people who get the flu recover in less than two weeks, the symptoms are more severe, and serious complications, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinus or ear infections, can develop, notes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

What is influenza B?

Less common than influenza A, these viruses cause similar symptoms and can lead to seasonal outbreaks. Per the CDC, influenza B is not categorized by subtypes, but there are two lineages of the virus: Yamagata and Victoria.

What are complications from the cold?

Most common colds are not severe, but they can worsen or lead to health complications. "Enteroviruses that are often the culprits in the common cold can cause brain lining inflammation that causes severe headaches, difficulty looking at bright lights, neck stiffness, high fever, and confusion," says Cameron Wolfe, MBBS, an infectious disease doctor and professor of medicine at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolina. If cold or flu symptoms persist or worsen, the patient may have a secondary or bacterial infection. That can lead to sinus or ear infections, bronchitis, and pneumonia.

Why is the flu dangerous?

Most people who get flu will recover in a few days to less than two weeks, but some people will develop complications (such as pneumonia) as a result of flu, some of which can be life-threatening and result in death. Sinus and ear infections are examples of moderate complications from flu, while pneumonia is a serious flu complication that can result from either flu virus infection alone or from co-infection of flu virus and bacteria. Other possible serious complications triggered by flu can include inflammation of the heart (myocarditis), brain (encephalitis) or muscle tissues (myositis, rhabdomyolysis), and multi-organ failure (for example, respiratory and kidney failure). Flu virus infection of the respiratory tract can trigger an extreme inflammatory response in the body and can lead to sepsis, the body's life-threatening response to infection. Flu also can make chronic medical problems worse. For example, people with asthma may experience asthma attacks while they have flu, and people with chronic heart disease may experience a worsening of this condition triggered by flu.

What is tamaflu and how does it work?

Oseltamivir is used to treat symptoms caused by the flu virus (influenza). It helps make the symptoms (such as stuffy nose, cough, sore throat, fever/chills, aches, tiredness) less severe and shortens the recovery time by 1-2 days.This medication may also be used to prevent the flu if you have been exposed to someone who already has the flu (such as a sick household member) or if there is a flu outbreak in the community. Talk to your doctor for more details.This medication works by stopping the flu virus from growing. It is not a substitute for the flu vaccine.

How Are Colds and the Flu Diagnosed?

PCR-based tests can be done to look for common colds, but they're not generally available to the public for routine use; they're usually reserved for hospital patients with pneumonia or a severe respiratory tract infection. If your symptoms are more severe, your doctor may order tests or X-rays to rule out certain illnesses, such as strep throat or pneumonia. To diagnose the flu, doctors sometimes use a rapid influenza diagnostic test, notes the CDC. Swab samples from the nose or back of the throat are tested for influenza viral antigens (substances that cause your immune system to form antibodies). Test results are usually ready in less than 15 minutes but are not always accurate. Other more reliable flu tests can be performed only in hospitals or specialized laboratories.

What are recommendations for people with an egg allergy regarding getting the flu vaccine?

Recommendations for Vaccination of People with Egg Allergy People with egg allergy may get any vaccine (egg-based or non-egg-based) that is otherwise appropriate for their age and health status. Previously, it was recommended that people with severe allergy to egg (those who have had any symptom other than hives with egg exposure) be vaccinated in an inpatient or outpatient medical setting. Beginning with the 2023-2024 season, additional safety measures are no longer recommended for flu vaccination of people with an egg allergy beyond those recommended for receipt of any vaccine, regardless of the severity of previous reaction to egg. All vaccines should be given in settings where allergic reactions can be recognized and treated quickly.

When is cold and flu season?

Seasonal flu activity typically occurs between October and May (flu season), although flu viruses are around all year, per the CDC. Similarly, most people develop colds in the winter and spring, but they can occur anytime, notes MedlinePlus.

Can you treat cold and flu with antibiotics?

Since colds and the flu are caused by viruses, rather than bacteria, antibiotics are not an effective treatment option.

What causes a sinus infection and how to treat

Sinus infections are caused by fluid accumulation in the sinuses that allows germs to grow. While most infections resolve on their own, antibiotics may be necessary in some cases.14 To help relieve symptoms of sinus pain and pressure, your healthcare provider may recommend a warm compress, analgesics, decongestant, intranasal steroids, saline nasal spray, or inhaling steam. Research shows that intranasal steroids are more effective than decongestants in relieving sinus pressure in sinus infections. Mucinex may help loosen nasal mucus, but its use in sinus infections is not backed by research

How long are you contagious with the flu?

Some otherwise healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five to seven days after becoming sick. Some people, especially young children and people with weakened immune systems, might be able to infect others for an even longer time.

What symptoms do colds and flu have in common?

Symptoms that the common cold and flu share may include body aches, headache, sore throat, cough, nasal congestion, and sneezing.

What are the main side effects of the flu vaccine?

The CDC lists the following common side effects that people may experience from getting a flu shot: Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given Headache Fever Nausea Muscle aches You can have a sore arm, feel a little achy for a day or two, and maybe have a low-grade fever as your immune system gets turned on," says James Conway, MD, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison. Another occasional reaction to be aware of is fainting; a handful of people may temporarily lose consciousness after getting any type of vaccination.

How long does it take to recover from a cold vs the flu?

The common cold and the flu are both contagious, but cold symptoms tend to be milder and improve within a week to 10 days, according to the Mayo Clinic. While most people who get the flu recover in less than two Cold symptoms typically subside within 7 to 10 days, while the flu typically lasts three to seven days, with severe symptoms subsiding after a few days. But some symptoms, like fatigue and cough, can linger for weeks. People with the flu are most contagious during the first three to four days after their illness starts, but some adults may be able to spread infection one day before their symptoms start and up to seven days after, notes the CDC.

How to protect yourself from cold/flu?

The duration of a cold or the flu varies depending on the virus involved and your immune system's ability to fight off infection. That's why the very young, older adults, and people with chronic illnesses are most susceptible to viral infections and possible complications. "The best weapon we have is our own immune system," says Donald W. Novey, MD, a family and integrative medicine specialist at MultiCare Family Medicine in Poulsbo, Washington. Good nutrition, adequate sleep and exercise, and low levels of stress can bolster the immune system. "A failure on any one of these four points can weaken the immune system and either prolong an existing cold or lead to more frequent ones," Dr. Novey says.

What are complications for the flu?

The flu can also worsen preexisting medical problems, such as triggering asthma attacks in people with asthma. More rarely, says the CDC, severe flu complications can include heart infections such as myocarditis, and brain inflammation illnesses such as encephalitis.

What are the 4 types of influenza virus?

There are four types of influenza viruses: A and B, which are most commonly associated with seasonal flu activity and epidemics; C, which is relatively rare and causes mild respiratory illness; and D, which primarily affects cattle, according to the CDC.

What causes a cold vs the flu?

There are many different viruses that can cause a cold, but most of these viruses cause very similar cold symptoms, The flu is caused by influenza viruses, but many distinct viruses (most commonly rhinoviruses) can cause a cold.

What is influenza A?

There are many subtypes of influenza A viruses, based on two proteins — hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N) — found on the surface of the viruses. Two strains of influenza A found in human beings are the H1N1 strain and the H3N2 strain, according to the CDC. A novel strain of H1N1 known as swine flu, because it's typically spread among pigs, led to a flu pandemic in 2009. Between 2009 and 2010, some estimate that at least 20 percent of the world's population was infected with swine flu, resulting in about 200,000 deaths, according to Reuters. The influenza pandemic of 1918 was an H1N1 virus of avian origin, according to the Cleveland Clinic. H3N2 mutates more rapidly than other strains, which can make it particularly resistant to the flu vaccine, notes the CDC.

Is there a cure or vaccine for the common cold?

There is no cure for a common cold, but over-the-counter medications may ease symptoms. There is no vaccine, but good hygiene can reduce your risk of getting a cold.

What kind of virus does the flu vaccine contain vs the nasal spray?

This is a widespread myth," she says. "While some vaccines — for example, the chicken pox vaccine — contain a weakened live virus to stimulate an immune response, the influenza vaccine [with the exception of the nasal spray form] is an inactivated vaccine made with viruses that have been killed and are therefore not infectious." Though the nasal mist version of the flu vaccine does contain live viruses, they are so weakened (attenuated) that the spray form will not cause illness, states the CDC.

How does the flu vaccine work?

While all the options work by causing a person to develop antibodies about two weeks after getting inoculated, you have several options to weigh.

How do I know if cold/flu symptoms are severe?

While most colds don't require a visit to the doctor, they can turn into something more serious. According to research, some warning signs to look for include high fever, shortness of breath, and symptoms that last more than 10 days, continue to worsen, or get better initially but then get worse again.

What are complications from getting the flu?

While the flu and the common cold have some symptoms in common, the flu can knock people flat for a few days to as long as two weeks, and it can also have far more dire consequences. Some people who get the flu will develop complications such as pneumonia, inflammation of the heart (myocarditis), inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), or respiratory failure, which can lead to hospitalization and death, notes the CDC. "Even if you've been vaccinated and still get the flu, you are less likely to die, be hospitalized, or be admitted to the ICU," Horney says.

What is a fever?

fever — defined as a temperature of 100.4° F or higher — is your immune system's response to an infection or another invader. Your elevated temperature is a clear sign something is amiss. Most fevers go down if you take an over-the-counter medication such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil). If yours doesn't, contact your doctor.

Who should receive the Flu vaccine?

recommend the flu vaccine to everyone over the age of 6 months.