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Flu Season

Monday, January 14, 2013

Influenza Vaccine: Flu Myths vs. Flu Facts

Does a flu shot cause the flu? Do healthy people need a shot? Here are the answers to some myths.

The flu vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and your family. However, misconceptions about vaccination persist. Here are seven common myths about vaccination. If you're looking to get a flu vaccination, here is a list of places to go in Saline. Flu Myth #1 A Flu Shot Causes the Flu No, a flu shot cannot cause flu illness. The influenza viruses contained in a flu shot are inactivated (killed), which means they cannot cause infection. Flu vaccine manufacturers kill the viruses used in the vaccine during the process of making vaccine, and batches of flu vaccine are tested to make sure they are safe. In randomized, blinded studies, where some people get flu shots and others get salt-water shots, the only differences in symptoms was…

Friday, January 11, 2013

Washtenaw County Health Officials Urge Flu Vaccinations Following Fenton Student's Death

The county health department is predicting a moderately severe flu season in Michigan during 2013.

Washtenaw County Public Health officials are urging residents to get inoculated for the influenza virus, warning that this year's flu season could be longer and more severe than previous years. Four children in Michigan have died already from complications associated with the virus. Joshua Polenha, 15, a student at Lake Fenton High School, died earlier this week, according to Fenton Patch. Across the state, 285 cases of influenza have been confirmed by state labs, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Eighty percent of those cases were due to the H3N2 strain of the virus, which health officials say can cause more severe symptoms, especially in children and older adults. "We are still not sure what the season will look like," Susan …

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