Allergic to the flu shot?
Updated: January 7, 2013
CHAMPAIGN -- This year's flu season is off to an early start. Some people are more likely to have an allergic reaction to the flu shot.
Doctors don't recommend people to get flu shots if they're allergic to eggs or if they've had a reaction to the shot in the past. There's no medical substitute to getting the yearly vaccine. But there are plenty of other ways to try to protect yourself and others from the virus.
That includes coughing into your elbow and avoiding too much contact with people who could be infected. Doctors said washing your hands is always important and you should avoid shaking hands with other people. Another option is to wear a mask. That's what doctors and staff at Christie Clinic do if they're allergic or don't get the shot. They do that to protect themselves as well as the patients and their families. Health care workers around the country do the same thing.
One positive thing from the flu season so far is that there haven't been any unusual strains, like H1N1 or the swine flu. So doctors said the shot should be able to prevent most of the viruses that are going around.
Doctors don't recommend people to get flu shots if they're allergic to eggs or if they've had a reaction to the shot in the past. There's no medical substitute to getting the yearly vaccine. But there are plenty of other ways to try to protect yourself and others from the virus.
That includes coughing into your elbow and avoiding too much contact with people who could be infected. Doctors said washing your hands is always important and you should avoid shaking hands with other people. Another option is to wear a mask. That's what doctors and staff at Christie Clinic do if they're allergic or don't get the shot. They do that to protect themselves as well as the patients and their families. Health care workers around the country do the same thing.
One positive thing from the flu season so far is that there haven't been any unusual strains, like H1N1 or the swine flu. So doctors said the shot should be able to prevent most of the viruses that are going around.
