Reaction to Flu Shots
Health organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that the best way to prevent flu and its potentially life-threatening complications is through vaccination. The FDA and CDC monitor vaccine use in the U.S., tracking safety. Vaccines usually cause only mild reactions.
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Flu Shot Side Effects
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With its inactive viruses, the vaccine can't infect you. Usual reactions include swelling, redness or tenderness at the injection site, slight fever and aches. Reactions last up to two days.
Nasal Spray Effects
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A nasal spray vaccine is available that uses weak viruses. The spray has only rarely transmitted the virus to others in close contact, according to the CDC.
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Guillain-Barré Syndrome
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In extremely rare cases, the flu shot causes Guillain-Barré syndrome, in which a person's immune system damages his own nerve cells, causing muscle weakness or paralysis lasting weeks or months. The flu can also cause GBS.
Severe Allergic Reactions
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Rarely, some people have had life-threatening reactions to the flu shot, with accompanying breathing problems, hoarseness, paleness, facial swelling, hives, rapid heartbeat, dizziness and weakness.
Allergies That Preclude the Shot
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People seriously allergic to chicken eggs should never receive the vaccine. Some might have allergies to other substances in the vaccine; allergies should be reported to the doctor or nurse before the shot.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit CDC Laboratories/CDC.gov
