Flu shot complications
 

I am working on getting into my Dr, so please don’t mistake this post as looking for healthcare from social media. I am wondering if anyone has heard of people having complications from this season’s flu shot. I believe I may be and know of one other person who was diagnosed as such. It’s my first flu shot so trying to get perspective.

There are many who have some kind of issues with flu vaccine.

But there are few who have Serious complications. I am in that category, even though it was a requirement for my position to have the vaccine or be fired, I was excluded. Employee Health felt is was better i do without after witnessing the severe reactions upon injecting vaccine, and the quick thinking to revive me. But again it is rare to have such adverse reactions.

Wife and I had the heavy vaccine for first time and we were fine.

Two heavy and one light in our group of three. Very slightly sore arms. Quick in and out at Publix and each got a ten dollar gift certificate.

I had the over 65 fluad type vaccine this year. I had nothing, not even soreness at the injection site.

I and several of our neighbors have gotten the heavy dose with no complications except a sore arm for a day.

I had the heavy dose (Wallgreens) with NO after effects, not even the sore arm. This was my first flu shot.

My arm hurt like hell for a couple of days. Other than that no problem.

wife and I had the heavy dose....I felt a little warm and tired the second day after, nothing serious....wife's arm was sore for a couple of days

rather have those minor reactions than "paying homage to the porcelain goddess" and ache all over

wife and I had the over 65 dose and had no ill effects, not even a sore arm. I have had the flu shot every year since 1978 and have had no ill effects other than an occasional sore arm and/or maybe a little tiredness.

Wife and I got the heavy Flu vaccine 3 weeks ago and no issues. My allergies and sinuses acted up last year after the flu shot but it was just a coincidence. Coincidences can happen and your mind can also play “tricks” on you. My wife had a relative bad “Cold” a few years ago after her flu shot but it didn’t have anything to do with the shot. That said, there can be side effects but for 99% of people they are minimal. The flu vaccine is not 100% effective (Never has been because of its nature) but it increases the odds of not getting the flu and I’m ok with that.

The #1 most common side effect is a sore arm and redness at the injection site. Usually it takes a couple of hours after the shot to start noticing that it's sore, and that might last anywhere from a few hours to two days. The first night would be the worst, but it's nothing an ibuprophen or Tylenol won't relieve.

The #2 most common side effect is mild flu-like symptoms: a runny nose, a little cough and sneezing, a touch of mild congestion. In short - it'll feel like a bad day of hay fever. That also would only last a day or two. I personally don't know of anyone who's had this second-most common side effect, but I do understand it's #2 on the list. A sip of children's liquid benadryl (diphenhydramine) to sleep the first night is theoretically all you need.

The CDC is upfront about common and less common side effects. I had a sore arm from my shot. If you are having a severe reaction, you may want to consider going to urgent care, unless you can get in to see your doctor right away.

Seasonal Flu Shot | CDC

You also have to consider that in fall and winter, when people get the flu shot, there is increased illness like common colds. So sometimes it's coincidental. After 25 years in medicine, the common misconceptions I saw were that people thought it would prevent stomach flu or the common cold. Influenza is almost always solely respiratory, accompanied by pretty good fever, bad headache, cough and body aches (it doesn't). An allergic reaction such as hives can be managed with Benadryl, otherwise not much can be done for any other side effects.

I usually get a little side effect of the regular flu shot, for about 24 hours. So I was concerned about the “senior” strong shot. Got it last week and was waiting for a reaction. There was none. Not even a sore arm. I actually checked to see if I got a real shot in the first place.

My mom, 94, has gotten a flu shot every year since they have had it. She has seldom if ever been sick and she was a high school nurse until she retired. There is a compounding effect over the years, same for my dad. so for those of you who might be skeptical, there are some longer term benefits, but not the goal so not studied nor advertised. I get flu shots every year as well, and the only shots I had reactions to were the ones I had before going overseas during my military school years.

sportsguy

none

you were doing so well until the last sentence. If you are having an allergic reaction with hives to an injection DO NOT depend on benadryl to treat yourself. Get real help immediately. Real allergic reactions to injections can be life threatening and progress rapidly from an itchy throat to full anaphylaxis with extremely low BP and airway closure. Anaphylaxis is extremely, extremely, rare to flu shots. It can be safely given to people with egg allergies which used to be a reason not to vaccinate.

Passing out after getting a shot is not evidence of an allergic reaction as lots of people, including those who are not anxious or needle-phobic can get light headed with a shot.

You 100% cannot get influenza from a flu shot. There is no active virus in the vaccine. You might get influenza but it would be from someone to whom you were exposed, not the shot.

I got the flu shot right when I was getting a cold. But I had no issues.

I had the senior flu vaccine and 2nd part of Shingrix on the same day, thought I had Rocky Mountain yellow spotted fever for about 36 hours but it went away. I’ve always had a reaction to the flu shot but it cleared up in a day or so

My wife and I both had flu shots last month with no ill effects.

I had no problems at all with the Quadra alert extra powerful over 65 vaccine, and it didn’t hurt at all.

It’s is not at all uncommon for people who get flu vaccines to feel a little head-achey and body-achey for a day or two. Most don’t, but it’s not unusual. This is your body fighting the flu and developing antibodies. It’s nothing to worry about and no reason to see your doctor.

There are other possible side effects that are rare and where you might need prompt medical care. That’s why everyone who gets a vaccine has to fill out a questionnaire first about if they have had any side effects before or if they have any allergies. It is also why you are supposed to wait around for twenty minutes after the injection: in case you respond with a strong allergic reaction. Clearly that didn’t happen.

I hope you feel better soon. I’m going in for a big pneumonia vaccine today. I had my final shingles vaccine last summer.

My wife and I are snowbirds, got the "regular" dose from our local medical center up north. No issues other than a sore arm for her. I've had a persistent *low grade* sore throat for nearly a week. No temp or other complications. We've both had the annual flu shot for more than 20 consecutive years.

Flu Shot
 

Husband and I both had senior version. Aside from soreness no issues. As we both have health problems we don't want to risk getting.

I got flu and pneumonia shots at the same time at CVS. $10. Gift card, little bit of a sore arm and I was on my way. No after effects

Seriously???? You thought you contacted a rickettsial disease from a flu shot? Did it come with a free tick? I'd adjust your web browser to filter out garbage

Thank you for posting the CDC website. Saved me from looking it up and posting it.

I look at the flu vaccine as a good gamble. 1 chance in over 1 million to have a severe adverse reaction vs. a good chance of coming down with the flu without it. No brainer!!

was your response necessary or helpful? the point of the post was the reaction....why, why is unkindness so prevalent these days?

Yes, it was.

Do you want people to read that they can get Rocky Mountain Spotted fever(minus the yellow part, whatever that was) from a flu shot????

The only reaction to a flu shot is a sore arm, everything else is a rarity. The point of the post was "the reaction", --what reaction?

Despite all the obsession with COVID-19, seasonal influenza A kills 30-80 thousand Americans EVERY YEAR, and most can be prevented with a flu shot. I don't like to read anything that would discourage people from getting one

I think it is best to correct erroneous posts as quickly as possible.

I just had my first flu shot yesterday. Normal dose. They kept me around to see how I would react. About 5 minutes after the dose I got a total body sweat, had a hard time breathing and swallowing. The pharmacist let me take off my mask, lie down and had an epipen ready. I'm not sure why this happened, but it went away after a few minutes. Arm pain and tiredness for a few hours, then all good.

The flu shot is important for older adults every season but never as important as this year. The extra strength and the regular strength are not made from the live virus so you cannot get the flu from them. The mild symptoms that might happen are from your immune system getting ready to fight the flu. I had the extra strength one about a month ago, it did not even burn when given. The only thing I noticed was a sore arm the next day but not anything different from when I do upper arm exercises that I have not done in a while. Take the shot and you will have better protection.

Call your doctor

Thanks for all the replies. I am new to TV (just over 55) and got the flu shot for the 1st time because I am here, and because I take care of elderly parents. And I will do it again. I had read all the CDC stuff, but was still wanting to hear from TOTV friends who I know will share their experiences generously and provide some additional perspective. I am not using this as "medical advice" and am actively engaged with my Dr. Again, thanks for the perspective. I agree with you all ... unless you know you are at risk for some reason, while the shot may have some minor side effects for some, is the right thing to do.

Ohiobuckeye
 

Have to laugh, & I’m not poking fun at you, but this sound a little bit like Covid19 to wear a mask & social distancing. Just believe what people are saying here or do just like some people are doing with the Covid19, take your chances. GET THE SHOT! I had no issues!

No issues
 

No issues ever over 20 years of these shots. Shots ranged from regular dose to high (65+) dose.

Got the flu shot for past 25 years. No problems. A sore arm for a short while but even this was rare.

Both my husband and I received it this year about two weeks ago at Publix - no problems. He complained of sore arm for a day or two, I had no issues other than a bruise (not uncommon for me). That being said, I just retired from active duty military, in the medical dept, and have been required to take them for the last 30 years, so definitely not my (or his) first.

I had already gotten it ...
 

Thanks for your note, and no offense taken. Just to be clear, I have already gotten the shot and had what I think are complications. That is the reason for my question. Wondering if others had anything similar. signed, Indiana Hoosier

Glad this thread is back on track. Will keep it that way by not describing symptoms when I don't know the source and don't want to imply I am looking for a diagnosis. It was just about perspective and the generous commenters have done so beautifully.