MC2Charlotte

Firs, here is a simple diagram of Cold vs. The Flu symptoms:

Second, we know that The Flu vaccine is not 100% effective, but it still protects you and your family.

Generally its 40-60% effective, depending on how well matched the circulating strains are to the vaccine.  Vaccine makers have to predict one year in advance which circulating strain will be causing trouble.  In 2014-2015 flu season, the strains were not well matched, so the vaccine was only 25% effective.  (However, if you had a 25% chance of winning the lottery, I bet that you would give it a go). During the 2015-2016 flu season, the vaccine was 47% effective.  Also, if you get the flu and you have been vaccinated, it will shorten the duration of symptoms, from 10 days to 2-4 days, lessen the severity of symptoms, and helps prevent hospitalization.

Moreover, if you do not get the flu vaccine and you come in contact with the virus, you many not get symptoms but you will carry the virus in your nose.  Carriers can spread the flu even if they do not get symptoms.  Getting the vaccine, eliminates the carrier state which becomes especially important for parents and caregivers of children less then 6months old who are not eligible to get the flu shot.  Kids under 2years old have the highest risk for hospitalization and complications from the flu, such as ear infections, pneumonia, and death.

Third, you cannot get the flu from the flu vaccine because the injected form of the vaccine is dead.

You might get achy and slightly feverish within 2-3 days of getting the vaccine because your body is developing antibodies to the vaccine.   As it mounts this immune response, you might feel under the weather a bit.  Getting the Actual Flu Symptoms 7 days later, is not from the vaccine.  You got the flu because it takes the vaccine about 2 weeks to become fully effective.

Lastly, there is a FEAR that the flu vaccine contains chemicals that we do not want to put in our bodies. Let’s discuss:

Here are the Flu Shot ingredients:

• FLUZONE Inactive INGREDIENT LIST 2016
  • Formaldehyde – less then or equal to 0.05micrograms per dose (purpose – inactivate virus)
  • Octylphenol ethoxylate – less then or equal to 0.05micrograms per dose
  • Gelatin – 0.05%
  • Preservatives NONE
  • Thimerosal or Mercury – NONE ( in our office supply).  Other offices may still have the multi dose vial containing Thimerosal of 12.5micrograms per 0.25ml.  Make sure you ask your provider about this detail.
  • TOTAL INACTIVE INGREDIENTS – 3

Here are the Ingredient lists in the medications and fluids commonly used to treat THE FLU symptoms:  Be Very Afraid!!

Children’s’ Tylenol INGREDIENTS: (Cherry Blast)

• anhydrous citric acid,
• butylparaben,
• FD&C red no. 40,
• flavors,
• glycerin,
• high fructose corn syrup,
• microcrystalline cellulose and carboxymethylcellulose sodium,
• propylene glycol,
• purified water,
• sodium benzoate,
• sorbitol solution,
• sucralose,
• xanthan gum

Tylenol INGREDIENTS: (Extra Strength TYLENOL)  

• Caplets:
  • cellulose,
  • corn starch,
  • FD&C Red #40,
  • hypromellose,
  • magnesium stearate,
  • polyethylene glycol,
  • sodium starch glycolate, t
  • titanium dioxide.
• Gelcaps:
  • benzyl alcohol,
  • butylparaben,
  • castor oil,
  • cellulose,
  • corn starch,
  • D&C Yellow #10,
  • edetate calcium disodium,
  • FD&C Blue #1,
  • FD&C Blue #2,
  • FD&C Red #40,
  • gelatin,
  • hypromellose,
  • magnesium stearate,
  • methylparaben,
  • propylparaben,
  • sodium lauryl sulfate,
  • sodium propionate,
  • sodium starch glycolate,
  • titanium dioxide.

Children’s Motrin Inactive Ingredients: (Berry flavor)

• citric acid,
• D&C yellow #10,
• FD&C red #40,
• flavors,
• glycerin,
• hypromellose,
• polysorbate 80,
• purified water,
• sodium benzoate,
• sucrose,
• xanthan gum

Children’s Motrin Inactive Ingredients: (Dye free berry flavor)

• citric acid,
• flavors,
• glycerin,
• hypromellose,
• polysorbate-80,
• purified water,
• sodium benzoate,
• sucrose,
• xanthan gum

Dimetapp Inactive Ingredient List: 

• anhydrous citric acid,
• artificial flavor,
• FD&C blue no. 1,
• FD&C red no. 40,
• glycerin,
• propylene glycol,
• purified water,
• sodium benzoate,
• sodium citrate,
• sorbitol solution,
• sucralose

Robitussin DM Inactive Ingredients:

• anhydrous citric acid,
• FD&C red no. 40,
• glycerin,
• high fructose corn syrup,
• menthol,
• natural flavor,
• polyethylene glycol,
• propylene glycol,
• purified water,
• sodium benzoate,
• sodium citrate,
• sucralose

Benadryl Suspension Inactive INGREDIENTS:

• Anhydrous citric acid,
• D&C red no. 3,
• FD&C red no. 40,
• flavors,
• glycerin,
• monoammonium glycyrrhizinate,
• poloxamer 407,
• purified water,
• sodium benzoate,
• sodium chloride,
• sodium citrate,
• sucrose.

Tamiflu

• croscarmellose sodium,
• povidone K30,
• pregelatinized starch,
• sodium stearyl fumarate
• talc.
• gelatin,
• red iron oxide,
• titanium dioxide
• yellow iron oxide
• Each capsule is printed with blue ink, which includes FD&C Blue No. 2 as the colorant

Amoxicillin Suspension (antibiotics) Inactive ingredients:

• sucrose,
• sodium citrate,
• sodium benzoate,
• edetate disodium,
• FD&C Red No. 3,
• xanthan gum,
• bubble-gum flavor,
• colloidal silicon dioxide.

Orapred Suspension (steroids) inactive ingredients:

• alcohol 2%,
• fructose,
• glycerin,
• monoammonium glycyrrhizinate,
• povidone,
• sodium benzoate,
• sorbitol
• flavor.
• citric acid
• sodium hydroxide

Albuterol Inhaler Inactive ingredients:

• propellant HFA-134a
• ethanol.

Gatorade Thirst Quencher Ingredients:

• water,
• sucrose (table sugar),
• dextrose (sugar),
• citric acid,
• natural flavor,
• sodium chloride (table salt),
• sodium citrate,
• monopotassium phosphate,
• some Gatorade flavor variations use brominated vegetable oil as a stabilizer.
• food coloring of all sorts

Seagram’s Gingerale Ingredients:

• carbonated water,
• high fructose corn syrup,
• citric acid,
• natural flavors,
• potassium sorbate,
• caramel color,
• sodium benzoate,
• sucralose.

TOTAL INACTIVE INGREDIENTS TO TREAT FLU SYMPTOMS = TOO MANY TO COUNT

I welcome comments and suggestions.  AND get your Flu Shot!!!! – Please see the comment section below for more details on formaldehyde and flu symptom duration concerns.

In good health, Ana-Maria Temple, MD

References:

Fluzone information

Motrin information

Tylenol information
Benadryl information
Amoxicillin information
Orapred information
Flu Vaccine Information

Tamiflu information