INFLUENZA | Fact or fiction

Flu is a serious, highly infectious disease caused by viruses that infect the respiratory tract. It is characterized by chills, fever, prostration, headache, muscle aches, sore throat, a dry cough and congestion of the nose. Here are the facts and myths about the flu:

Fact: If scientists guess wrong and develop a flu shot that does not cover the strains of flu that occur in a particular year, it is worth getting the shot. Even if there is not a close match, the vaccine will provide some protection and lessen the effects of the disease.

Fiction: If you get a flu shot, you are guaranteed to not get the flu. First, it takes up to two weeks for protection to develop, and it is entirely possible to be infected with the flu during that period. Also, no vaccine is 100 percent effective.

Fact: The flu shot is made from dead flu virus and cannot cause the flu.

Fact: FluMist, a needle-free flu vaccine made with weakened live flu virus, is delivered via a mist sprayed into the nostrils, where the flu vaccine usually enters the body. The most common side effects in children and adults are generally mild and include runny nose or nasal congestion, sore throat and fever.

Sources: Mahoning County District Board of Health/FluMist Web site