FLu Vaccine 2013

[Gardenarian]

I got my first flu vaccine ever at around noon yesterday, and it was a doozy.

I felt okay afterwards; went grocery shopping and took a hike. I had complete loss of appetite, though, and became sleepy much earlier than usual. I woke at 2am with a monster headache; I went to get a cold washcloth and by the time I was back in bed I was shivering like mad. Took my temp and it was 102. The vaccine site was hot to touch and the entire side of my body ached. It took about three hours to get back to sleep and I didn't get out of bed till almost 11am.
I went for a 30 minute walk today and did a little gardening and feel completely wasted.

Are flu vaccines always this intense? I only got one because I'm having surgery in December and want to avoid getting a virus on top of that.

I'm not planning on getting these in the future, if this is a normal response!

[kib]

Couldn't tell you, I'm about as likely to get a flu shot as a Ferrari. I think some reaction to vaccinations is normal, but that sounds extreme. Did you consider asking the place that gave it to you? If there's something wrong with the vaccine it would be good to alert them, if not, maybe they can reassure you that it's ok.

[Gardenarian]

From what I read, my response was not unusual...I really feel like this was not a good thing to do to my body.

There are different vaccines every year though, and I'm wondering if this year's was particularly nasty.

[puglogic]

I have not had a vaccination this year and may pass on it. Last year's was a little hard on me (same symptoms as yours, just without the high fever) and I am wondering if it was part of the reason I caught not one but two colds last winter...unheard of. Take care of yourself, gardenarian.

[herbgeek]

When I've had flu shots, I've had milder but similar symptoms. I don't do them anymore. I can either take a chance on getting the flu or for sure be miserable for a couple of days when I get a shot. Not worth it to me- I'm not immune compromised, not around small kids much, and work in an office where most people work from home anyways and certainly not in the office when they don't feel well.

[frugal-one]

I had a flu shot previously and got really sick with the flu that year. I did have the shot last year and had no reaction and did not get the flu. My gut tells me not to take any more shots or medicines than necessary. I was told about, and have been reading about, grapefruit seed extract (GSE). I did buy some tablets and have been taking them this winter. People I have been talking to say they have not been sick at all since taking them. It sure is a hard call to make.

All over the world, GSE has been used for killing a wide variety of bacteria (such as: Salmonella, E.Coli, Staph and Strep germs), viruses, herpes, parasites, and fungi, including Candida. It is effective against more than 800 bacterial and viral strains, 100 strains of fungus, as well as a large number of single-cell and multi-celled parasites. It has also proven to be effective against food poisoning and diarrhea. Many professionals, such as doctors, veterinarians, farmers and consumers praise its value and effectiveness.

[CathyA]

Hmmmm......well I hope you feel better soon. I haven't had one in about 18 years, because the last one I had seemed to give me Fibromyalgia. Then I got influenza, pneumonia that year, which I never fully recovered from.
I'm not trying to scare you. I'll keep my finger's crossed that this all passes for you and you feel back to normal soon.

[sweetana3]

This was the first year I had any reaction at all and it was hot and very sore and itchy at the site of the injection. A couple of other friends had somewhat similar reactions.

For me it is a mandatory shot. With serious asthma brought on by colds and viruses, I am considered high risk.

[gmpg54]

New York State has mandated the flu shot for all healthcare workers or we must wear a mask...I got mine October 10 & have had upper respiratory symptoms,fatigue and last week I was diagnosed with a sinus infection that's just about wiped me out.Last time I had 1 was 08 and the same thing happened.I personally think they're dangerous but I need my job.Hope you feel better.

[pony mom]

I haven't had a flu shot since the age of about 10 and have only had the flu once since then, about 10 years ago.

Won't overvaccinate my pets, nor myself. A friend never had the flu, got the shot last year and came down with it. Of course, the doctors say it would have been worse without the shot, but perhaps he wouldn't have gotten it if he passed on the shot.

[JaneV2.0]

I'm with Pony mom. I consider all vaccinations individually. The number needed to treat is high with flu vaccines, and the chance of dying of the flu is minuscule. I would hate to be forced to submit--for essentially no reason.

[goldensmom]

I've gotten an annual flu shot for 20 years or so and have never had any negative reactions whatsoever.

[Rogar]

I get the flu shot religiously after being sicker than a dog with the flu many years ago. I have never had any reaction or flu like symptoms. I have talked with the pharmacist who gives the vaccine a few times about possible adverse effects. This years injection is a killed virus and there are no living organisms in the vaccine. I'm sure QC of the vaccine is fairly effective in verifying this. The nasal spray is a modified live virus and maybe more likely to produce a few flu like symptoms. I got the injection and he said it was possible, though very unlikely, to have mild flu like symptoms a few days after the vaccination.

Your symptoms sound more to me like a possible allergic reaction to the carrier used for the vaccine. I'm not sure what it is this year, but in other years it has been egg based and not uncommon for an allergic reaction. My pharmacist said the symptoms of a reaction to the vaccine would include hotness around the injection site. You might want to mention your illness to your doctor? If it was an allergic reaction, it might be useful in the future.

My best guess of things from what I think I know, anyway.

[iris lilies]

I had the thing once in my adult life, a couple of years ago, as a mea culpa for being a braggert at work about never getting 'flu. The sickies I work with gave me a raspberry for that. So fine, I joined the sickie brigade and got the shot to make amends and guess what--the stupid thing made me (slightly) sick. Won't be taking that shot again.

DH who gets flu several times a year got the shot as he always does.

[Tradd]

I've been getting flu shots for maybe five years. I only began getting them when my office started having someone come in to administer them.

I had a doctor's appt in mid-October and I got mine then. I was off that week. I felt a little tired after it, but nothing major. No reactions after any flu shot. In fact, what's odd is that the number of sinus infections I get has gone from 3-5 a year to 1 since I've been getting flu shots.

[Tussiemussies]

A long time ago I got the flu shot I believe it was available where I worked. I got so darn sick after that and it effected my left ear, it has never been the same since then. Will never, ever get any type of those shots again. Do some research as to what is in them. I think you would be surprised...

[pinkytoe]

Never had a flu shot and never hope too. I completely respect those that wish to, but that whole routine is not for me.

[goldensmom]

My husband gets a flu shot every year. One year he got sick 'after' he got the flu shot. What he did not tell me until after the shot is that he hadn't been feeling well for a few days before I said 'let's go and get our flu shots'. The shot may have exacerbated his symptoms but it did not cause them.

[SiouzQ.]

I had a flu shot (the first one in many years) and a way overdue tetanus shot last week because my health insurance covered them 100% and didn't get any adverse reactions at all, thank god!

[JaneV2.0]

Exposing yourself to the flu (colds, what-have-you) while you're out and about--and keeping your immune system strong and capable of fighting it off when challenged is the best, safest, and most natural kind of "vaccination." Just like the original cowpox.

[Florence]

I get one every year. Never had a reaction. Haven't been sick either.

[rosarugosa]

I've been getting the shots for at least twenty years and I've never had an adverse reaction. I also haven't had what I would call "The Flu" for over 30 years, but I've always figured why not bolster my chances against getting it again.

[jp1]

I agree with the others. It sounds like you had an allergic reaction to it. I get one most years and have never had any sort of reaction, nor can I remember the last time I had the flu. For me it makes sense. I ride a crowded light rail train every day to work. Plus, I fly regularly for work. And to top it off, we're going to see dad in a few days. He's 85 and is very frail. Last year he got the flu and it weakened him enough that he collapsed and injured himself enough to be in the hospital and rehab facility for over a month. I'd hate to be the person who infected him with the flu so I made sure to get the shot when they offered it at work a few weeks ago.

[Gardenarian]

My symptoms abated after about 36 hours. I called the advice nurse and she said my reaction was severe but not unusual, and that they have been getting a lot of calls about the flu vaccine - more about people having swelling and pain at the site.
It's unlikely I'll get the vaccine again. I think I have only had the flu once before.

[Spartana]

I've gotten the flu vaccine for years and, other than a light headache and a sort of general tired feeling, never had any problems. And when I do get the flu shot I never get flu - something I seem to get very badly when I don't get them.

[Gardenarian]

Well, now I'm thinking that I do seem to get a lot more colds than other people - maybe some of those colds are actually caused by the influenza virus. We'll see how I do this season - it sure would be nice not to get sick 3-4 times per year!