I think there are ~ 92 flu viruses. The flu vaccine consists of 3 different deactivated viruses, chosen each year by the CDC as having the highest probability for an outbreak. The vaccine provides immunity against those 3 high probability viruses. If you get the vaccine, and come into contact with a "lesser probability" virus, then you can still get the flu.
That happened to me last week, and I'm just starting to recover from it after an exhausting week in bed, on antibiotics, trying to keep it out of my lungs. Post-nasal drip causes constant coughing to keep the lungs clear. I worry about when I'm older, and not strong enough to fight it off.
Just thinking out loud about the sinuses... would irradiating or cauterizing the sinuses keep them from producing phlegm/mucus?
