Question

To the best of your ability, explain why someone who received an influenza vaccine might still contract flu. IF

Answer 1

Ans.

• Influenza is an infection of respiratory tract and can result in serious complications in the infected individuals.
• The best way to treat this infection is to get vaacinated with an influenza vaccine.
• Even after getting vaccinated, many people may still get a flu.
• Possible reasons for this flu includes;

1). Reaction to the vaccine -

• After the vaccination, many people may develope flu like symptoms such as muscle aches and headache.
• These symptoms may be side effects associated with the production of protective antibodies in the body.

2). The two week window -

• In order for a flu shot to produce full effect, it take a team period of about 2 weeks.
• If during this time period, a person is getting infected with the influenza virus, then that individual may develop a flu and become ill.

3). Mismatched flu viruses -

• The virus, which caused flu may be different than the virus used for the development of influenza vaccine.
• To a larger extent, the ability of a vaccine for a flue depends upon the matching of virus causing the flue and virus used for vaccine development.
• Therefore, this mismatching of virus may decrease the efficiency of vaccine.
• However, this mismatched vaccine still provides some degree of protection.

4). Other illness -

• Apart from influenza, other respiratory viruses like rhinovirus, can also cause flu.
• These infections are associated with common cold symptoms, can be spread and produce symptoms similar to flu.
• Only influenza flu is treated with the vaccine but it can not prevent other types of flu.
• This can easily trick you in thinking that you have a flu, even though, that is not the case.