Myth Debunked: Flu Shot Does Not Cause Illness, Boosts Immunity Instead

Once the winter season arrives, the risk of viral infections increases. This season is when the outbreak of cold, cough and fever is most clearly seen, which is known as flu. It is caused by the influenza virus. Many people get the flu as soon as winter arrives. People have to make a lot of efforts to avoid the flu, but often despite all their efforts, they fall victim to the flu. To avoid the flu, doctors say that people should get a flu vaccine before the onset of winter. This vaccine can be very effective in protecting against viral flu.

Dr Rakesh Gupta, a consultant internal medicine doctor at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in New Delhi, told News18 that the weather is currently changing rapidly. Mild winter is about to begin in the next few weeks. The risk of flu will increase due to the drop in temperature. The most effective method of preventing flu is flu vaccination. The flu vaccine is also colloquially known as the flu shot. This vaccine boosts the body’s immunity and helps prevent severe flu symptoms. The flu vaccine creates antibodies increasing the body’s immunity to the virus.

According to health experts, people should get a flu shot once a year to avoid getting flu in winter. The best time to get a flu shot is between September and October. This time was chosen because it gives the body enough time to create antibodies before winter arrives.

If you get vaccinated in November or later, the vaccine will still be effective, but getting vaccinated early is more beneficial. Children, the elderly, and people with serious illnesses should get vaccinated so that their condition does not worsen due to the flu.

Many people have a misconception about the effect of the flu shot and think that the vaccine can cause flu, but this is not true. The vaccine consists of a weakened virus that cannot cause flu. Its job is to boost the body’s immunity to protect you from infection. Apart from getting vaccinated, you should avoid going to crowded places and eat a healthy diet to avoid getting flu in winter, wear appropriate clothing to avoid cold and avoid contact with people who have flu.