content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School
Ask An Expert: Flu Shot With Cold
Question:
Is it OK to get the flu shot when you have a cold?
Answer:
It depends on what you mean by "a cold." If you have a runny nose, sneezing, head congestion, and a scratchy throat - a minor "cold" - experts say it is OK to get a flu shot. But if you have a fever, or a severe sore throat or earache, each of which could signal a more serious bacterial infection, it is probably wise to wait until those symptoms have gone away before you get a flu shot.
Why is that? All vaccines put a particular germ (or a part of a germ) into the body, with the goal of stimulating the immune system to recognize it. That recognition allows the immune system to vigorously and promptly attack the germ if it ever enters your body in the future.
If your immune system is busy fighting a major war against, for example, a bacterial infection of your throat (like "strep throat") or your ears at the time you get a vaccination, your immune system may be distracted by the war it is waging, and not recognize the flu vaccine. It is better to wait until the immune system is finished fighting, and has the time and energy to recognize the flu vaccine. That way you increase the chance of the flu shot protecting you against the virus during the flu season.
Anthony Komaroff, M.D., is professor of medicine and editor-in-chief of Harvard Health Publications at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Komaroff also is senior physician and was formerly director of the Division of General Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Dr. Komaroff has served on various advisory committees to the federal government, and is an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Print This
| Last updated: | January 24, 2007 |
|---|
Medical content reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School. Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. By using AOL Body, you indicate that you have read, understood, and agreed to our Terms of Service, Use of Content Agreement and AOL Body Advertising Policy. Read more about our content partners.
