This years Flu Shot?

Nurses General Nursing

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We had a lot of people with bad reactions after they had this years flu shot. A lot of them had real feverish red spots with pain radiating down their arms, a lot of N/V going on. I know that the shot is not supposed to make you sick cause of it being dead viruses. I'm just wondering how the rest of you are tolerating them this year. I had mine and I did not have a problem.

The first year I ever got a flu shot I felt achey and had a sore throat that night. I was better the next day. Ever since then, the only reaction I have ever had is some soreness at the injection site. This year I was a little sore at the injection site the evening I received the shot and was fine the next day.

Years ago in my micro class they said that the sore throat, low grade temp and general malaise that some people get is from your body mounting an immune response to the dead virus in the vaccine. It is the same physiological reaction your body makes when it encounters the live virus. So, while you may not actually have the flu, you feel like you do. The difference is that you are not contagious to others. Also, I read somewhere that it can take your body 2-3 weeks to sero-convert so if you are exposed to the actual virus shortly after you receive the vaccine, you may not have had enough time to build up the immunity to fight it off.

And one last thing...The vaccine only covers three strains of flu bugs and those strains were determined at the end of last year''s flu season to be most likely to be prevalent this year. It is possible to be exposed to a strain that was not included in this year's vaccine.

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Originally posted by MarcusKspn

We had a lot of people with bad reactions after they had this years flu shot. A lot of them had real feverish red spots with pain radiating down their arms, a lot of N/V going on. I know that the shot is not supposed to make you sick cause of it being dead viruses. I'm just wondering how the rest of you are tolerating them this year. I had mine and I did not have a problem.

took 2 tylenol after shot, no problems. had shot on Friday.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

JENNY P ??.:eek:

Where/ what region do you live? We have seen no reports of flu in the great lakes area yet. It scares me to think flu was already around in October!!!

It's going to be a looooong flu season if it's starting already!!

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Specializes in CV-ICU.

I'm up in Mn. in the Twin Cities. I'm worried about the long flu season too.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Long Term Care.

I stopped in to Occupational Health where I got my flu shot before work today. I confess to being somewhat concerned after reading some of the posts here, but in the end, was MORE concerned about getting the flu. My arm's a little sore 12 hours afterwards, but they told me to move and exercise it to prevent stiffness and pain. No problema moving it when working Med/Surg for the following 9 hours! :chuckle

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Corrections.

Havent had mine yet....supposed to have it 11/12/02. I will get it with my asthma and allergies and the clientele that I work with (corrections).

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