The primary benefit of the swine flu immunization is that it may help prevent one from getting sick when coming in contact with that particular strain of flu virus. There are various downsides, though, including spreading the flu, contracting flu symptoms, and sometimes serious complications. Some links have also been found between the swine flu vaccine and miscarriage or premature labor in pregnant women.
Swine flu is a strain of influenza virus which is similar to a type found mostly in pigs. It is usually called H1N1, since the virus is not the exact same as the one which infects swine. The main fear of H1N1 is that it will mutate into a hard to treat strain which may cause more severe complications in certain populations. Non-mutated swine flu is actually less lethal than the normal yearly flu virus.
It is recommended that certain people get a swine flu immunization, especially young children and older adults. Those who work with these at-risk individuals are also encouraged to get vaccinated. Some health care workers may also be advised to get the vaccine, although this is not mandatory in many locations as the annual flu vaccine is.
Pros to swine flu immunization include the fact that vaccinated people, and those they love, are less likely to get the virus or they may get a less severe form of it. This can prevent severe complications from arising in those who are most at risk, including pregnant women, young children, and the elderly.
The downsides of swine flu immunization are numerous, although health officials maintain that the vaccine is safe and they encourage everyone to get it where available. One concern many have regarding the vaccine is the fact that it hasn’t been fully tested because it was created and distributed so quickly.
Sometimes swine flu immunization may cause a full-blown case of the flu, and occasionally those who receive the vaccine may be contagious to others for a short period of time if a live virus is used. This can last several days, so precautions should be taken. There is also the chance that those who receive the vaccine will have a severe allergic reaction, although this is rare.
Links have been recorded between swine flu immunization and miscarriage in pregnant women. This link has not be definitely proven, and most organizations advise pregnant women to get the vaccine. Every pregnant mother should research the facts on swine flu vaccines and decide if the potential risks are worth the benefits.
