Podcast Summary: The CDC recommends that
almost everyone get the flu vaccine. While the inhaled version is currently not
recommended, due to ineffectiveness in the past three seasons, the injection
method is still only about 63% effective. The probability of contracting the
illness might seem high; however, the CDC estimates that the vaccine prevented
over seven million flu cases during the 2013/2014 season. For those who
contract the illness, questions have arisen regarding the use of Tylenol to
reduce fever and how it may impede on the body’s own immune response. While a
study in New Zealand indicates that there is no difference in flu duration,
concerns regarding the study’s size and compounding factors (including the use
of Tamiflu) make the results inconclusive. Further, the effectiveness of
Tamiflu is also under fire; an examination of published studies indicating
duration and severity reduction revealed improper methodology and consistent
bias. Actual review of the data presented to the FDA shows a much lower level
of effectiveness than previously thought. As some work to develop effective
treatment options, other researchers have identified portions of every flu
virus, regardless of seasonal evolution, that remain unchanged. There is hope
that if they can develop a vaccine to target these parts of the virus, annual
administration with limited effectiveness will no longer be necessary; lifetime
immunity similar to that for measles and mumps could be achieved with a single
injection.
You can hear the podcast from 2 Docs Talk here.
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