| | | Flu Facts and Myths:
Take the Influenza Myths and Facts Quiz |
1. The flu is no worse than a bad cold. T/ F
2. People can die from the flu . T/ F
3. Even if I get the flu shot, I can still get a mild case of the flu. T / F
4. Not everyone can take the flu vaccine. T / F
5. You can get influenza from the flu shot. T/F
6. The side effects from the vaccine are worse than the flu. T/F
7. Only the elderly need a flu shot. T / F
8. It’s not necessary to get a flu shot every year. T / F
9. I can catch swine flu from touching a pig. T / F
10. The swine flu is more deadly than seasonal flu. T / F
| | Scroll down for answers. |
Answers:
| 1. False. Influenza, commonly referred to as the “flu” is a severe and sometimes life-threatening disease.
2. True. The “flu” is a serious disease of the nose, throat, and lungs and it can lead to pneumonia. Each year 200,000 people in the U.S. are hospitalized and about 36,000 people die because of the “flu.”
3. True. This can happen, but the flu shot usually protects most people from the “flu.” However, the flu shot will not protect you from other viruses that can cause illnesses that sometimes feel like the “flu.”
4. True. If you are allergic to eggs (used in making the vaccine), are very ill with a high fever, or have had a severe reaction to a previous flu vaccine you should not receive the flu vaccine.
5. False. The flu shot cannot cause the flu. Flu vaccine does not protect you from other viruses that sometimes feel like the “flu.” If you get the flu or get sick after a flu shot, it is because you were actually exposed to someone with the flu virus prior to receiving the shot.
6. False. The worse side effect you’re likely to get from a flu shot is a sore arm. The risk of a rare allergic reaction is far less than the risk of severe complications from influenza.
7. False. Influenza impacts people of all ages.
8. False. The types of influenza viruses circulating in the community change from year to year. Because of this, a new vaccine is made each year to protect against the current strains.
9. False. The H1N1 virus is transmitted from human to human thru droplet from sneezing and/or coughing and touching contaminated surfaces.
10. False. Not yet! In a typical flu season seasonal flu is attributed to over 30,000 deaths in the U.S. Fewer than two dozen swine flu-related deaths have been reported worldwide as of spring 2009. While the swine flu could become a more deadly flu, the high level of awareness and the steps people are taking to prevent its spread may keep it from becoming nearly so deadly as the seasonal flu.
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