Autumn weather is here (for the good of many), but it is also the season of colds and flu. You're probably being bombarded with flu shot reminders at every turn, though you may be wondering if it's worth swiping a virus in the hope of avoiding it, or if it's better to just boost your defenses and hope to stay healthy.
The flu is caused by a virus and can be serious for certain groups of people, such as children, the elderly, and people with chronic medical conditions. In the case of athletes, are people who are at risk of catching the flu if their immune systems wear out from overtraining. Also, if you are consuming a lot of chewing gums y energy gels to complement your workouts, you should keep in mind that sugar is an inflammatory substance. Sugar suppresses the immune system by 40% for 48 hours after each "meal" loaded with this substance. This inhibits the body's ability to kill viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens.
And while this may seem obvious, let me confirm that catching the flu is a sure fire way to keep you from training. The flu completely inhibits your ability to train, as it can cause nausea and vomiting, extreme muscle pain, sensitive skin and fever. Obviously, no one can train if they are under these effects.
Since it is a viral infection, it cannot be eliminated with antibiotics. You can take over-the-counter medications to help ease some of the symptoms, but most bouts of the flu last one or two weeks. The more missed workouts you accumulate, the more likely it is to affect your overall performance.
Why should you get a flu shot? (In addition to not getting the flu)
Should we get vaccinated?
Many people refuse to get the flu vaccine for fear of getting sick, but it is a myth. The flu vaccine that is injected is an inactivated virus; this means that it is not possible to get the flu from a vaccine.
Some people feel sick after getting the jab, but that's only because their immune system is mounting an immune response, not because they have the disease. The Side effects The most common are redness, pain, and/or swelling on the injection site. However, there may also be a mild systemic response of mild fever, headache, and muscle aches beginning shortly after injection and lasting one to two days. Considering that the flu can last anywhere from one to two weeks, going through a couple of days with mild discomfort doesn't seem so bad.
Is the flu vaccine effective?
There are also many people who question the efficacy of the vaccine. Last year it was confirmed that the risk of going to the emergency room was reduced by 40%. Although this may seem like a small percentage, and may make you think that it is better to strengthen your immune system on your own, any decrease is positive for public health.
The truth is that it is not possible to predict the effectiveness of the vaccine because the strains of the flu virus change every year. But even if you get the vaccine and get the flu, the vaccine decreases the severity of illness and the risk of hospitalization for people who develop serious infections.
Doctors say that the vaccine is still one of the best ways to avoid contracting the virus. If you take the injection a week or two before a race, all side effects should be more than mitigated before race day.
Whether you decide to get a flu shot or not, there are some other things you can do to stay healthy during cold and flu season. Wash your hands with soap regularly and before meals or while you're at the gym. Eat healthy foods and get enough sleep to boost your immune system and decrease the chance of transmission if you come into contact with the virus. Athletes should also eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to help strengthen the immune system and keep it working optimally.