We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How do I get Influenza Immunity?

Daniel Liden
By
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 4,113
Share

Influenza immunity, or biological resistance to the influenza virus, can be acquired in several different ways, such as vaccination or past exposure to the virus. The influenza virus is a contagious respiratory infection that can cause severe respiratory symptoms and can lead to complications that may be fatal. It is difficult to fabricate effective vaccines that cause influenza immunity because the virus rapidly changes through an almost-constant series of mutations. Yearly flu outbreaks occur around the world and cause the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people each year. New, particularly deadly strains of the influenza virus generally acquired from different animals such as pigs or birds can lead to even more deaths.

Partial influenza immunity can be acquired simply through exposure to the influenza virus. If an individual catches the virus one year, he is considerably less likely to catch it the following year, as his system has developed some level of resistance to the virus. This is only true, however, because influenza viruses tend not to mutate drastically in the space of a year. If a new strain of the virus does appear, an individual exposed to a previous strain of the virus probably will not have the same level of influenza immunity. Strains similar to those caught in previous years can still cause infection as well, particularly if the infected individual is already in poor health.

Each year, scientists make vaccines to offer influenza immunity to those who need it. There are two commonly-used types of vaccines. In one, deactivated, harmless influenza agents are injected through a needle into the arm. The other vaccine, known as the live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), is made with living but weakened flu viruses and is administered as a nasal spray. Both vaccines can result in influenza immunity that protects against the most prevalent strains of the virus in a given year.

While the influenza immunity that results from vaccination does save many lives each year, the vaccines can also cause harmful or even deadly side effects and complications. This is particularly true for people in poor health. The influenza viruses in the nasal spray, though too weak to overcome a healthy immune system, could still infect and harm an individual with a compromised immune system. Side effects of the vaccines can include fever, soreness around the area where the shot was given, and flu-like symptoms. Healthy people generally overcome these side effects quickly, and some may not experience them at all.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Daniel Liden
By Daniel Liden
Daniel Liden, a talented writer with a passion for cutting-edge topics and data analysis, brings a unique perspective to his work. With a diverse academic background, he crafts compelling content on complex subjects, showcasing his ability to effectively communicate intricate ideas. He is skilled at understanding and connecting with target audiences, making him a valuable contributor.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Daniel Liden
Daniel Liden
Daniel Liden, a talented writer with a passion for cutting-edge topics and data analysis, brings a unique perspective to...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/how-do-i-get-influenza-immunity.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.