Getting the flu vaccine is your first line of defense against germs. (Indiana Public Media/Flickr)

Yes, you do need the flu vaccine – but the conflicting information about the shot can lead to confusion. Your doctor says to get it, but your neighbor swears the shot gave her the flu. It’s time to separate the myths from the facts.

Myth: You can get the flu from the flu vaccine.

Fact: You can’t. The shots are made with a “killed” virus, said Dr. Lisa Grohskopf, medical officer for the influenza division at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Rarely, people get short-lived, low-grade fevers or muscle aches – the body’s immune response. “It’s nothing like having the flu,” she said.

Myth: You never get sick, so you don’t need it.

Fact: Everyone gets sick at some point, but just as important, the shot lowers the odds that you’ll pass flu germs to the immunocompromised and children. Each year, an average of 20,000 kids under 5 are hospitalized because of flu complications, and some die. The CDC recommends that everyone age 6 months or older get the vaccine.

Myth: It’s probably too late.

Fact: The earlier the better, but the vaccine offers some protection as long as flu viruses are circulating in your community.

Myth: It doesn’t work.

Fact: The vaccine does not cover every virus; if you get sick, you may think it didn’t work, but perhaps you weren’t immunized against the one that got you. Last year, the shot was 49 percent effective. Even if you do get sick, it can make your symptoms less severe, says Grohskopf.

Myth: The nasal mist works just as well.

Fact: Sorry, needlephobes: The CDC has found that for the past three seasons, the mist hasn’t been very effective. That’s why the agency’s advisory committee voted that the nasal spray shouldn’t be used this year.

ON ANOTHER MATTER … 

16 Minutes to a Clean House 

Start with the bathroom: Use an all-purpose disinfecting wipe on the sink, counter and toilet top. Wipe the mirror and fixtures with a microfiber cloth, straighten the shower curtain and hang fresh towels.

Move to the kitchen: Hide dirty dishes and cookware in the dishwasher if it’s empty; if not, stash them in the oven. Use a wipe to clean the counters.

Declutter: Put newspapers, magazines, shoes and other stuff into a shopping bag or laundry basket, then hide the bag or basket in a bedroom or a closet. Dust major furniture surfaces.

End with the floors: Vacuum main traffic areas and living spaces, including carpets and bare floors. Store the vacuum in the closet and greet your guests!

TABLE 

Whaddya Got? Cold vs. Flu 

Uh-oh. You have that spacey, tired feeling with a side of throat tickle. Is a cold coming on, or will you be flattened by the flu? First, figure out what ails you so you can start recovering:

Symptoms:

Cold: Your Symptoms show up primarily above your neck. A runny nose, coughing, sore throat, slightly swollen glands and other aches and pains.

Flu: You feel them both above and below your neck. You’ve got all the signs of a cold plus a fever over 100 degrees, chest coughs, chills and fun stuff like vomiting, diarrhea and full-body aches.

Severity:

Cold: You feel mildly icky, and things get worse slowly — the first signs might include slight aches, a scratchy throat, a headache and/or low-grade fever.

Flu: The flu hits you like a speeding train. You first feel feverish at work, and by the time you get home you can barely muster enough energy to climb your porch steps. Every inch of you aches.

Can you get out of bed?

Cold: Yes, and you can walk around. Though you might not want to commute to work or schlep the kiddos, you can manage.

Flu: Absolutely not — you’re flat on your back. Extreme fatigue is going to incapacitate you for at least a few days.

Recalls Alert 

The following products and vehicles were recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Unless otherwise indicated, discontinue use of the products immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund. For more information about the products, call the manufacturer or CPSC’s toll-free hotline, (800) 638-2772. Only some cars or trucks recalled are affected. Contact a dealer for your model to see if it is included in the recall. The dealer will tell you what to do.

PRODUCT/VEHICLE 

PROBLEM 

Samsung top-load washing machines, sold at Best Buy, The Home Depot, Lowes, Sears and other home-appliance stores nationwide from March 2011 to November 2016 for between $450 and $1,500.

The washing machine top can unexpectedly detach from the washing machine chassis during use, posing a risk of injury from impact. Consumers should contact Samsung immediately to receive one of the following remedy options: Consumers can choose (1) a free in-home repair that includes reinforcement of the washer’s top and a free one-year extension of the manufacturer’s warranty; (2) a rebate to be applied toward the purchase of a new Samsung or other brand washing machine, along with free installation of the new unit and removal of the old; or (3) a full refund for consumers who purchased their washing machine within the past 30 days of the recall announcement. Consumers can contact Samsung toll-free at (866) 264-5636 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET, or online at www.Samsung.com. Click on the “Recall” notice at the top of the page for more information.

2010-2013 Mazdaspeed3 and Mazda3 

2012-2015 Mazda5 

2016 CX-3  

2013-2016 CX-5 

On the affected vehicles, the lift-gate support struts may corrode, possibly causing the struts to break and/or the lift gate to drop unexpectedly. If the lift gate falls unexpectedly, it may hit the user, increasing the risk of injury. Mazda dealers will replace  both lift-gate supports for free; however, remedy parts are not currently available. Mazda will send interim notifications to owners beginning Nov. 1, 2016, and will mail a second notice when remedy parts are available. Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 800-222-5500. Mazda’s number for this recall is 9916H.

© Hearst Communications Inc.

Distributed by King Features Syndicate