Ever had a flu shot? In this Virtually Rick we look at the Future of Flu - so come with me, and bring your handkerchief because we’re getting (achoooo) Virtual!

Millions of Americans get the flu every year, and when it’s a good flu season (if there is such a thing) it has been estimated that approximately 8 percent of the entire U.S. can get it, which is around 26 million people! Influenza, to call it by its proper name, has plagued humans for centuries. We have only had four Flu Pandemics, the worst in 1918 when one third of the earth was infected, about 500 million people, it killed 675,000 people in the U.S. in just 8 months.

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In 2017 to 2018 there were nearly a 1 million people in hospital across the U.S. as the Centers for Disease Control reported nearly 80,000 deaths! Vaccines are the first line of defense. But First some myths:

Getting a shot will give me the flu, won’t it?

• Actually no, it’s made from dead viruses and cannot develop into the flu itself. You might get achy muscles or feel under the weather with a mild fever but that’s NOT the flu. Doctors say it’s a sign that your body’s immune system is working, developing antibodies to attack the flu virus if it turns up in the future! Some people do get the Flu AFTER a flu shot, but it is more because they were likely exposed to it BEFORE they got the shot because it takes weeks to develop the antibody protection. It takes time to be effective!

There a lots of different strains of the Flu so it doesn’t matter if I get a shot or not, right?

• Actually it does matter, the shot you got might not match the exact strand that’s circulating, BUT doctors say that having one will make your flu symptoms far lighter and less severe, which your body will thank you for especially if you’re young or very old!

And the future of the Flu?

• A universal flu vaccine is in development aiming to treat EVERY form of the virus, even those responsible for Pandemics. It’s complex but it will help your immune system fight lots of types of the flu and the trials are underway right now so we will find out in 2020. But it could eliminate the need for yearly shots too - so stay tuned!

Which brings us to the toughest question of all:

• What’s the difference between the Flu and a common cold?

The CDC says people with colds have runny or stuffy noses, much milder symptoms than the flu, which in comparison arrives much more abruptly, with bigger fevers and chesty coughs that develop into more serious health problems like pneumonia, bacterial infections or hospitalizations.

For now the Flu will be with us for a long time to come. Either way whatever leaps they make in fighting the Flu it certainly won’t make us fear the dreaded phrase: “Winter Is Coming.” Unless of course you’re in Game Of Thrones.