Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: dentstudent on 09/01/2009 10:57:02

Title: How does the 'flu vaccine work if there is no "live" part to the vaccination?
Post by: dentstudent on 09/01/2009 10:57:02

Most vaccinations give a dose of the live virus to promote antibodies in the body to fight off the ailment (I think!). How does the 'flu jab work if there is no live part to the dose? And is this the distinction between a vaccination and an innoculation?

Thanks!

Title: How does the 'flu vaccine work if there is no "live" part to the vaccination?
Post by: BenV on 09/01/2009 11:23:16

Although the virus is 'dead' (though whether or not they're alive outside a host in the first place is debatable), the immune system still sees, and responds to, the proteins on the surface of the virus particle.  This then means that when the immune system is presented with live virus, it's already familiar with the surface proteins and can respond much more quickly. 

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the post-flu jab ill feeling is a symptom of the immune response, rather than of a mild viral infection.

I think "inoculation" does require live vaccine, but there's almost certainly some overlap in common useage of the two words.

Title: How does the 'flu vaccine work if there is no "live" part to the vaccination?
Post by: dentstudent on 09/01/2009 12:00:24

Thanks Ben - does this mean that the body responds to the 'flu jab in the same way that it would for any other preventative jab?

I think that you are right about the jab-response symptoms - it is impossible to catch the 'flu from the jab.

Title: How does the 'flu vaccine work if there is no "live" part to the vaccination?
Post by: Karen W. on 09/01/2009 12:35:38

I agree the way my doctor explained after my first jab ..I got sick... but she said that it was becase I had already been exposed before the jab!

This year my jab was without sickness..Yayyyyyyy!
Some say well I caught a cold..LOL....The flu jab is for the flue not a cold...Hee hee I was one who thought.. oh I have a cold.. stupid shot! Lol.. Now I have had jab two and am much wiser and learned!!! Hee hee hee [;)] [;D]

Title: How does the 'flu vaccine work if there is no "live" part to the vaccination?
Post by: dentstudent on 09/01/2009 12:49:51

Also: So if the 'flu jab is effectively a "dead" or empty virus particle, but is still recognised by the body, why do other viruses and infectious diseases require "live" doses? Do these not have the same protein structures on the external surfaces of the virus that will be "seen" by the body's immune system?

Title: How does the 'flu vaccine work if there is no "live" part to the vaccination?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 11/01/2009 03:00:51

What is the difference between a 'live' and 'dead' virus?