Questions on the flu shot side effects are common. Many believe that there are some side effects from the flu shot, but any severe complications are rarer. Getting the flu shot is vital as the majority of the people are at the risk of developing flu if the shots are not taken on a timely manner.
Most of the side effects or reaction to the flu shots is reported to be mild, and people might experience soreness, redness and mild swelling at the site where the shot was given. But these reactions wold not last not more than two days. And in rare cases, some may develop mild reactions such as fever and aches. And this has misled to believe that flu shot causes the flu instead. Again, these milder reactions such as fever would go away after about two days.
What Is Flu And Flu Shot?
The common flu is a viral infection that spreads from one person to another through the secretions of nose and lungs such as sneezing. The medical term for flu is influenza which is a respiratory infection, which means it is the infection that develops primarily in the lungs. All other infections that are caused by the other type of viruses that are categorised as upper respiratory infection or URI and the causes of these could be for various reasons,
Influenza causes high fever, more malaise and severe body ache, unlike other respiratory infections. And flu shot is given to prevent influenza. Flu shots contain inactivated or killed virus particles.
Allergic Reactions
Allergic reactions to the flu shot are very infrequent. Some of the common signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction due to flu shot include-
- Rapid heart rate
- Dizziness.
- Hives
- Pale skin
- Problems with breathing
- Wheezing
Earlier, reports suggested that a person who is allergic to eggs would have a severe reaction to the flu shots, and it is vital to discuss the situation with the doctor before receiving the flu shot. But according to the revised guidance released in 2017 from the Influenza Vaccine and Egg Allergy Practice Parameter Workgroup commissioned by JTFPP (Joint Task Force on Practice Parameters) stated that flu vaccine poses a smaller risk to the egg-allergic person. It is no longer necessary to ask about the condition, and that the influenza vaccination can be given a person who is allergic to the egg, without any special precautionary measures.
Flu Complication – The Rare One
Guillain-Barre syndrome is an extremely rare yet potential complication due to flu shot. It is the medical condition which is characterised for nerve damage, weakness and fever that developed in some patients who were diagnosed to be associated with the swine flu vaccine, 1976. The studies show that one person out of one million vaccinated people may be at the risk of Guillain-Barre syndrome. The person with a previous severe reaction such as Guillain-Barre syndrome should consult the doctor before getting the flu shot.
Doctors recommend everyone over the age of 6 months to receive the flu vaccine, as the risk of complications that are associated with flu is extremely serious than other potential risks of the flu shots.
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