Topic: The Flu Shot

Humans have been plagued by disease throughout history and just about everyone has experienced the flu or common cold at some point in time. During your life, you will probably have more cold or flu infections than any other type of illness. Humans have an amazing immune system that helps them fight foreign invaders, but sometimes the way your body fights these invaders causes unpleasant side effects that are often treated with over-the-counter medications.

You can learn more about the common cold at the following resource:

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Flu and You. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/flu/consumer/index.html

Instructions:

During the week address the following questions:

1. What is the flu?

2. Influenza is a virus, should antibiotics be taken to treat a cold? Why, or why not?

3. Why do you need to get a flu shot each year and what is your opinion about getting the flu shot?

4. Would it be reasonable to expect that science will develop an immunization for influenza in your lifetime? Why, or why not?

5. You all have your own strategies for preventing or recovering from a cold. Please share your favorite strategy for fighting the common cold. Find and cite a source (reputable if possible) that either supports or disputes your favorite strategy.

6. The internet has become a very popular source of health information. Evaluate the credibility of the source you provided. (Hint: Sometimes you can find this information at the bottom of the main page).

a. Can you find the author?

b. Is the material written objective and reliable?

Use this reference when referring to your text:

Trefil, J., & Hazen, R.M. (2013). The sciences: An integrated approach. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.