Flu shot reactions?

[johnastovall]

Has anyone had a very negative reaction to this year's flu shots?

Last Monday, I was in for a routine checkup and my Doc talked me into getting one. I had usually gotten them at the University.

By Monday night my arm was very sore and red and by Tuesday evening I was having what felt like a bad case of flu with chills and nausea The Doctor's office said just take Tolenol and rest and it would get better.

It was Thursday before I began to feel normal and the soreness in my arm just finally went away today.

Was this just my reaction or have others had it?

[dlanter]

My wife had the exact same reaction from the flu shot that last 3 or 4 days. I have never gotten a flu shot and I'm not going to start now.

[DeannaD]

My kids & I had them with no issues, but a good friend had just the same symptoms you describe.

[Whumbahcumba]

I've stopped getting flu shots. It looks like you were one of the people who got a more severe reaction to the shot. I believe that the flu shot is actually a strand of that years flu virus. It results in you getting sick to build up your immunity to that strand of flu. I've never had that bad of a reaction to a flu shot. My arm has been sore and I have felt kind of bad the next day, but nothing that long. My cure-all is a couple of benadryl, some orange juice and sleeping for the rest of the day.

[ngoduyviet]

Originally Posted by dlanter

My wife had the exact same reaction from the flu shot that last 3 or 4 days. I have never gotten a flu shot and I'm not going to start now.

Weird, my wife had the exact same symtoms, she quits taking flu shots for the last several years, but with the little one this year, we might have to.

[carrbowl]

We all (6) "have" to get the flu shot. We haven't got ours this year, but I will keep my eyes open now. We have never had reactions to them though...

[Murph]

Do you have an egg allergy by any chance?

[David_3]

The flu shot is a "killed" virus, so you cannot get the flu from a flu shot. The nasal spray vaccine is a live "weakened" virus, which is not supposed to give you the flu. Both types are supposed to build up antibodies to protect you from the flu. There certainly can be side effects with either one, and some people do have adverse reactions to the vaccines. Some of the side effects are listed here:


http://www.cdc.gov/FLU/protect/keyfacts.htm

[AndrewCCM]

My son got the nasal vaccine last week. No adverse reactions thank goodness. I didn't go into the office the day that our company was giving the shots, so I'll probably pass this year. Last year was the only year that I have gotten one.

I usually don't get the flu, but allergies are another situation entirely. I would gladly take a bout with the flu every so often not to suffer all year round with my allergies!

[dbphotos]

I haven't gotten one yet, but my wife had a similar reaction. I'm guessing the strain is a little more potent this year. My son got the nasal vaccine - no issues.

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by Murph

Do you have an egg allergy by any chance?

No, in fact over the years I've had shoots for everything from Yellow fever to Plague. The only time I got sick was when I had Typhoid, Paratyphoid, Tetenus, Smallpox booster, Polio booster and Gamagoblin all in one sticking session.

I've had Flu shots in the past and had a little fever in the arm but not for several days of just sick.

[Rson]

I feel the shot is a self fulfilling profacy and a joke.

The people that get it and get the flu always say that "it was lessened because they had the shot" and the one's that don't get the flu say it was because of the shot. Whatever, I'll roll the dice and save my 25.


PS: my Granddad died of a flu shot directly YEEEEAAAAARRRRSSS ago (28) so I guess my opinion is biased.

[JaertX]

I've never had a problem with getting a flu shot, but never seen a benefit either. It seems I usually get it once a year... the best prevention I've found is to eat healthy and stay in shape. Something I haven't done for a long, long time.

[carrbowl]

My mom always called the stomach virus the flu??? I grew up thinking that, I think that's wierd!!

I am a firm believer. The entire family has been getting them for years. 5 out of 6 people in my family have a heart condition and I am the primary care taker, so we all need to get one. Last year was the only year we didn't, and I paid for it. You can get the shot for free, but you cannot get a doctors office visit plus the medicine, plus the days off from work, plus the misery of the flu for free. If you have ever had a real case of the flu, you know how miserable it is.

[carrbowl]

WEll I got the flu shot yesterday and so far no reaction except the usual soreness in the arm....hope John's reaction stays away...!!!!!!!!