The Ultimate Flu Vaccination Quiz

The flu shot is relatively safe and all healthy people over the age of six months are recommended to get it.

It takes about two weeks for the flu vaccine to start protecting you, so make sure you get your shot early in the flu season.

It is simply a myth that the flu shot can cause you to actually get the flu. The flu virus that's in the needle is dead and possesses no harm to you.

The American Center for Disease Control strongly recommends that children and adults with chronic lung and heart conditions receive the flu vaccination. It is also strongly recommended that children and adults with chronic metabolic disorders, such as diabetes, renal dysfunction, hemoglobinopathies, or immunosuppression receive the flu shot.

Certain groups of people are at higher risk of getting the flu, such as people over 50 and women in their second and third trimester. Moreover, health care workers and adults who live in institutional settings, such as college students, should also get the flu shot.

Side effects from the flu shot are generally mild and include: a low grade fever for 8 to 24 hours, tenderness around the vaccination spot, slight chills and a headache.

The flu vaccine is grown in an egg and the egg cannot be completely extracted from the vaccine. For this reason, people who are allergic to eggs should consult their doctor before getting the flu shot.

There are three oral flu medications that are approved by the American Food and Drug Administration: amantadine, rimantadine and oseltamivir. These drugs help improve your resistance to the flu virus, limiting the virus's ability to replicate inside your body.

Most vaccines, including the current flu vaccine, are repelled by the skin. This is why the flu vaccine must be injected into the body. Innovative research, however, is in the process of developing a vaccine that can be administered through the nasal passages.

A dead strain of the flu virus is introduced into your body. Your body then creates antibodies for the flu and hence protects you from getting the flu in the future.

It is strongly recommended that all children between the ages of six months and two years get the flu shot. It is preferable that children receive a mercury-free vaccine.

Approximately 70 to 90 percent of healthy people who receive the flu shot are protected from contracting the virus for that given flu season. The flu shot is considered to be highly affective.

Preliminary research on the nasal spray flu vaccine revealed that it is highly effective in preventing the flu. People who receive the nasal spray flu vaccine take fewer sick days and experience fewer days of illness.

During the height of the flu vaccination season you can get a flu shot at: your healthcare provider, health departments, schools, private settings, pharmacies and workplaces.

Research shows that the nasal spray vaccine is effective in vaccinating mice against hepatitis. Perhaps in the future, no one will need shots for vaccinations.