How the flu shot guards against more than the flu

If there were a safe, quick treatment that could help to decrease your risk of heart disease and stroke and reduce your risk of premature death, you'd go for it, right? Well, one thing you can do is have a flu shot every year. This is how the flu shot guards against more than the flu.

In a large U.S. survey, researchers studied more than 286,000 men and women over the age of 65 who received flu vaccinations during two flu seasons. They found that, compared with people who weren't vaccinated, those who had the shots were a fifth less likely to be hospitalized for heart disease or stroke, 30 percent less likely to succumb to pneumonia and half as likely to die from any natural cause.

In an unrelated study, researchers studying more than 200 men and women with coronary heart disease found that those who had had flu vaccinations were 67 percent less likely to have second heart attacks than those who hadn't been vaccinated that year.

Fall and winter in Canada is a common time for people to become briefly ill with viruses. We often refer to these illnesses as "colds" or "flus." Despite this somewhat casual attitude towards viruses, it's important to realize that the "flu shot" is against influenza, which is a much more severe illness than the "common flu."

Influenza A and B viruses cause influenza. This illness is usually associated with a high fever, muscle pain and bad cough, which may last for weeks. It is not as common as the "common flu," but it is much more serious, especially in those who have chronic heart or lung disease, or are elderly. The complications of influenza can include some serious illnesses, such as bronchitis, pneumonia, kidney failure or heart failure.

It is especially important that people with a chest or heart condition as well as everyone over the age of 65 have flu shots each year.

Other at-risk groups who should be vaccinated include people with chronic kidney disease and diabetes and those with compromised immune systems such as cancer patients. If you live or work with people with chronic diseases, getting yourself vaccinated will help them, too.

The flu shot is given every year because the influenza virus is constantly changing. Protection against influenza takes effect about two weeks after receiving the shot.

People of all ages are encouraged to get an annual flu shot and it is best to get one before the influenza season starts. Ask your doctor's office for a flu shot, or contact your public health unit.