Flu Myths vs. Flu Facts

Does a flu shot cause the flu? Do healthy people need a shot? Marietta readers here are the answers to some popular 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. 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 increased soreness in the arm and redness at the injection site among people who got …

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Flu Myths vs. Flu Facts

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

Flu Patients Continue to Fill Doctors' Offices

An area physician said 15 to 20 percent of his day is spent with flu patients.

Nearly Four in 10 of Those Vaccinated Will Still Get the Flu if Exposed to the Virus

This year's vaccine has an overall effectiveness of 62 percent.

Seasonal Flu Picking Up Across Nation

Georgia is among 29 states and New York City now reporting high incidents of "influenza-like illness." Experts say everyone should get a flu vaccination.

CDC: Get Your Flu Shot

It's National Influenza Vaccination Week. Did you get your flu shot yet?

More than one-third of United States residents have already been vaccinated against the influenza virus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Monday. With National Influenza Vaccination Week, which started last Sunday and ends Saturday, health officials aim to increase that percentage, especially since this year's season may be a bad one. Influenza—more commonly known as simply "the flu"—is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses infecting the nose, throat and lungs. It spreads via infected people coughing, sneezing or talking, though people can also get infected by touching something with the flu virus on it before touching their mouth, eyes or nose. The 2012-2013 season is shaping up to be one of the worst …

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To Get a Flu Shot or Not?

CDC doctors strongly support it, but others wonder if it can target the wrong flu strains and do no good or create side effects. What do you think?

It's one of those debates that come around this time of the year. Should you get a flu shot to stave off a potentially unpleasant illness or—as many people say—does the flu shot create risks? According to FOX Atlanta and some medical researchers, less than 50 percent of the U.S. population receives a flu shot every year. That trend is bolstered by the growing distrust that vaccinations like flu shots can be ineffective. Much of the resarch says that it's in the public's best interest to get a flu shot, according to the mainstream medical community. In fact, Dr. Tom Skinner with the Centers of Disease Controls, a world renowned Atlanta organization, said the vaccinations "are the single most important thing people can do to protect …

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