APP.COM Asbury Park Press Tuesday, Nov.1,2011 Page B5 Health CONTACT: SARAH GRIESEMER :: 732-643-4204 ::
[email protected] :: APP.COM/HEALTH STUDENT ATHLETES TREATING CONCUSSIONS People’sPharmacy By Joe Graedon &Teresa Graedon Back Whyget a in the flushot everyyear? Q. Can you tell us about flu vacci- game nations? Idon’tunderstand how the vaccine can wear off so quick- ly that it’srequired every year. Manyschools What other vaccine acts like this? How can we be so confi- taking concussions dent in guessing which vi- ruses will be prevalent in the more seriously coming season? Ikeep won- dering if the vaccine really By Susan Bloom :: For NJ Press Media makes sense, since Idoubt that many people actually One Tu esday in September,19-year-old die from flu. Brookdale Community College sopho- more and star athlete Devin Hope played A. Flu viruses evolve quick- defense as she always did for her school’s ly,which is why each year soccer team —aggressively,giving it her the vaccine is made to pro- all. But something about the shot she tect against different blocked during that day’sgame was dif- strains. If you catch the flu, ferent. your body will recognize “The ball hit me in my right temple, that particular strain, but and it really hurt,” she said. “Ididn’tgo not the slightly different one down, Ijust kept playing, but all the way that may emerge next year home Iwas really dizzy and nauseous and or the year after.You are my head was in excruciating pain, like I right that most other vac- had amigraine.