Q: I've heard that the flu shot can't give you the flu. After receiving my shot last year, I became severely ill with what sure felt like the flu. I don't want to go through that again. If you're still going to get sick like this, why bother with the shot at all?

A: From what you report, you probably did have the flu. The flu shot contains killed viruses that cannot cause the flu, so the most likely explanation is that you were exposed to the flu virus shortly before getting your shot or during the lag time. It takes about two weeks from the time you get the shot for your body to build up adequate antibodies against the flu viruses. During this time, you can still get the flu.

The flu shot's protection is not always perfect. In some cases, it might fall short.

The most frequent side effects of flu shot are temporary pain and swelling around the spot where the needle went in.

Systemic (bodywide) reactions to the flu shot have occasionally been reported. Such reactions typically produce fever, fatigue, muscle pain and other symptoms that begin about six hours after getting the shot and may continue for a day or two.

Q: How do you tell whether you have the flu or a cold?

A: If the flu gets you in its clutches, you'll know it. You're likely to be on your back and in misery for a good spell. If it's a cold, you might show up for work. If it's the flu, no way. The flu has a sudden onset with symptoms that include high fever and chills, cough, runny or congested nose, sore throat, intense fatigue, severe muscle aches and headache.

The common cold is much less severe, with symptoms such as low-grade fever, cough, runny or congested nose, sneezing and mild sore throat. When the flu knocks you down, a prime danger is that you become more susceptible to bacterial infections such as pneumonia.

So it's important to dodge the flu. The best way to do that is to get a flu vaccination.

If you get the flu, there's still an option: a prescription anti-viral drug.

The drug can cut the illness short, but you can't dawdle. It needs to be started within 48 hours after symptoms begin, and the sooner the better.

Anti-viral drugs include the older amantadine (Symmetrel) and rimantadine (Flumadine) and the newer Tamiflu and Relenza. They prevent flu viruses from replicating once they get inside the body.

Doctors who prescribe an anti-viral drug should probably choose Tamiflu or Relenza.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that the older drugs not be used this season. Testing in the United States and Canada indicates that flu virus strains have become too resistant to them.

Source: http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/living/15929282.htm