Flu shot - any side effects possible?

[Chattyaholic]

Just wondering if there are any possible side effects from getting a flu shot.

 

[Mishetta]

When you go to get one, they will let you know what side effects you could suffer, but the last flu shot I got, I got the FLU! Not as severe though but none the less, I got the flu!

I plan to get one anyway though since I'm an asthma sufferer & those with upper respiratory problems should get a flu shot.

 

[CEDmom]

Most people just experience some discomfort at the injection site. Some do experience minor flu like symptoms.

 

[Chattyaholic]

I actually got my flu shot yesterday, when I was at the doctor's for my check-up (recently diagnosed with diabetes) and she recommended I get one so I did. The only thing they asked before they gave it to me was if I was allergic to eggs, and I'm not, so got the shot. But they never said, and I didn't think to ask, about any side effects.

But!! I got the shot about 10:00 a.m. and by 5:00 p.m. I "couldn't get away from the bathroom" if you know what I mean! Every 10-15 minutes, until about 9:00. I thought it either had to be "something I ate" or a side effect of the flu shot! But I hadn't eaten anything "new" or "different" that I hadn't eaten before, so I suspected it to be the flu shot but not sure....

 

[MinnieMe2]

The only side effects I've had are some stiffness/soreness at the injection site, and maybe feeling just a little off for a few days. I work in the Dept. of Nursing on a college campus, so I usually get my shot for free at one of the clinics our students do. I hate needles . But this is one annual immunization I don't like to skip....

 

[dianeschlicht]

I am allergic to eggs, so I don't get one. A couple years ago DH didn't get his, and BOTH of us got a bad case of the flu. We make sure he gets his every year, because when he has the shot, I never get the flu.

 

[justjulie]

I've never had any problems. My boys don't like me very much when they get theirs but they've never had a problem either and they're 7 and 12 and have been getting them for the past two years.

 

[ErikdaRed]

The flu vaccination is a live virus vaccination, so you may get the flu, or some subset of the symptoms while your body learns to attack it. (Which is the purpose).

 

[Dan Murphy]

I'd say as CEDmom. I used to get 'the flu' almost every year, a bad bout for a day or two. Had the shot the past 3 or 4 years and nothing, no flu. Have my appt scheduled for next Thurs, along with an 'Atkins checkin', weight and blood.

 

[justjulie]

I don't think the shot is live virus. From the website I used it says this:

Can I get influenza from the vaccine?

No.

Influenza vaccine cannot cause influenza because it is made from killed viruses. People who have think they got the flu from the vaccine could be confusing their symptoms with those of another virus, or an allergy.

 

[DMOMof3]

Getting my flu shot this afternoon. This will be the 7th year straight I have gotton it. No flu or symptoms other than soreness at sight of shot.

 

[suzannen]

Right before I logged on here, I had just read Dear Abbey's column on the Flu Vaccination. I get one every year and have never had any reaction.

FLU SHOTS ARE GOOD PROTECTION -- AND WON'T GIVE YOU THE FLU
Tue Oct 14, 8:39 AM ET
By Abigail Van Buren

DEAR ABBY: Each year in the United States, influenza kills 36,000 people and hospitalizes 110,000 more. Influenza's impact could be greatly reduced if your readers would put "schedule flu vaccination" on their to-do lists today.

The vaccine is extremely effective. Despite this, many people for whom flu vaccine is recommended fail to get immunized. Some presumptions that keep people from being vaccinated:

MYTH 1: The flu shot can give you the flu.

FACT: The influenza shot cannot give you the flu. The injectable vaccine is made from "killed" influenza virus.


MYTH 2: If you don't get the vaccine in October or November, it's too late.

FACT: Although it's best to be vaccinated in October or November for maximum protection throughout the flu season, people who are immunized in December, January and February are protected.


MYTH 3: Only people 65 and older need the influenza vaccine.


FACT: Flu vaccine is recommended for everyone age 50 and older. But ANYONE 6 months or older can benefit from it. It's hard to believe, but children 24 months and younger are hospitalized with flu complications at the same rate as people 65 and older.


The following are some of the people for whom influenza vaccine is recommended in the United States:

(1) People 50 and older.

(2) Anyone 6 months and older who has medical problems such as heart or lung disease (including asthma), diabetes, kidney disease or a weak immune system.

(3) Women who will be 14 or more weeks pregnant between December and March, which is flu season.

(4) Health-care workers.

(5) Caregivers who work with or live with people with the problems listed above.

(6) Anyone who wants to avoid the risk of spreading the flu (and its possible complications) to a loved one or friend. Flu vaccine protects not only you, but also the people you care about.

A nasal spray form of influenza vaccine is newly licensed in the U.S. this year. For more information about it, your readers should consult their health-care professionals. -- DEBORAH WEXLER, M.D., EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, IMMUNIZATION ACTION COALITION


DEAR DR. WEXLER: Thank you for your timely reminder. From personal experience, I can say that neither I nor my husband has contracted the flu since we began getting flu shots. Other excellent candidates who should consider being immunized include police and fire personnel, teachers, bus drivers, and people who come in contact with the public.

Readers, if you have questions about influenza vaccine, or any other vaccine, you can find reliable information by calling the National Immunization Information Hotline: (800) 232-2522, or visit the Web site: www.vaccineinformation.org.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tm...flushotsaregoodprotectionandwontgiveyoutheflu

 

[Lureen]

I was very, very tired the day after I got mine. Other than that and a sore arm, I was fine. No mini-flu here and my shot was a week ago.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

We all 4 got ours yesterday and no side effects. We have all received them for the last 6 years(DD since she was 2 yrs old) and have never had a problem other than minor soreness at the injection site. Take a Tylenol or Motrin and you won't even have that. It is NOT from a live vaccine and you won't get the flu from it. If you are sick afterward, it is another virus and a coincidence. And the flu is not an intestinal illness, so going to the bathroom after getting the shot is not from the vaccine-unless you are reacting to the eggs or some preservative I suppose. The real flu will knock you out flat for about a week(like a truck ran over you)-the shot took about 30 mins out of our day to get, including traveling to the Dr. time.

 

[Mskanga]

We have our appointments for the first week of November to get our flu shot, I have never gotten the flu shot but my kids have been getting it for years, my oldest is borderline asmhatic and the youngest one the doctor did not want to take a chance , she's 6 now and she's been getting it since she was 2 , my oldest started at age 3 and she's 10 now. I am going to get it this year for the first time ever since I work in the school now, flu is the last thing I need. I hope it works as well as it does with the kids.
If they get a cold, it's usually very mild.

 

[Blondie]

I work in a hospital, and every year it is offered to us for free, but I take a pass....don't want any of that alien DNA injected into me!

But seriously, I'd rather take my chances. And interestingly enough, most of the doctors on my floor don't get the flu shot either. You'd think doctors would be first in line since they are dealing with so many patients on a regular basis.

 

[DawnCt]

As an occupational health nurse, I give in excess of 300 flu shots per year. The usual side effects include local irritation, especially for those who are new to getting a flu shot. "Veterans" experience less of a reaction. Other occasional symptoms include a general malaise for a day or two with a very low grade fever. Again, this is very occasional. In all of my years of giving flu shots I have never had to fill our a Vaccine Adverse Reaction form...which is a good thing. I HATE NEEDLES. I actually have a phobia with regard to shots. "it is better to give than receive" is my philosophy. However, I get a flu shot every year. I no longer get any localized reaction and I never get the flu. My DH and our kids get the flu shots as well. My DH is an infectious disease specialist and believes strongly in influenza immunizations. Flu is a killer. Up to 1800 Americans die every year with the flu. For those who say "well I got the flu shot but ended up with the flu anyway". There are a couple of explanations for this. It takes up to six weeks for the flu shot to effect full immunity. If you are exposed to the flu with two weeks of getting the flu shot, you probably will get the flu. If you are exposed after two weeks you probably will get a milder case of the flu. Also, many people confuse other viral syndromes with the flu. The flu is a severe respiratory illness characterized by chills, fever, cough, body aches and malaise lasting for up to two weeks. Youo won't believe how many people tell me that they had the "flu" when they have had vomiting and diarrhea. That is not the flu!

 

[Blondie]

Originally posted by DawnCt
Also, many people confuse other viral syndromes with the flu. The flu is a severe respiratory illness characterized by chills, fever, cough, body aches and malaise lasting for up to two weeks. Youo won't believe how many people tell me that they had the "flu" when they have had vomiting and diarrhea. That is not the flu!

Oh, how I can relate to that. I take the calls for staff members calling out sick...and I always get the "I have the flu" for the reason they aren't coming into work. 80% of the time what they have is a bad case of the common cold, or gastroenteritis, not a real true "flu."