Strategies for Managing Adverse Reactions to Flu Shots
The flu season is upon us, and getting vaccinated is one of the best ways to protect yourself and others from the virus. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you understand the flu vaccine, its benefits, side effects, and who should get it.
Sanitas Medical Center discusses how long the flu shot lasts, and the Mayo Clinic offers information on Guillian-Barré Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that can develop after vaccination. The National Library of Medicine's list can be used for identifying emergency medical situations, and the Cleveland Clinic provides information on antihistamines, which are often used to alleviate flu symptoms.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights the benefits of the flu vaccine, providing details on possible side-effects from vaccines, and discussing live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), also known as the nasal spray flu vaccine. The CDC offers guidelines on who should and who should not get vaccinated, addressing misconceptions about seasonal flu and flu vaccines.
Common side effects of the flu vaccine include tenderness, redness, pain, swelling, or discoloration at the injection site. Mild flu-like symptoms such as low-grade fever, headache, muscle aches, weakness, tiredness, shivering, and body aches may occur for 1 to 2 days after vaccination. Gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite are less common but also reported. In children, additional side effects can include irritability, sleepiness, and changes in eating habits.
Severe allergic reactions to the flu vaccine are rare but can occur, especially in people with allergies to vaccine ingredients like egg protein. Signs of a serious allergic reaction include difficulty breathing, wheezing, hives, fast heartbeat, dizziness, facial swelling, and throat swelling, which may restrict airways. Such reactions generally begin within minutes to hours after vaccination and require immediate medical attention. The CDC still recommends vaccination for people with egg allergy but suggests using egg-free formulations or medical settings prepared to manage allergic responses.
A rare but serious neurological disorder called Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) can develop within days to weeks after vaccination. GBS causes muscle weakness and paralysis due to the immune system attacking the peripheral nervous system. The occurrence is estimated at about 1 to 2 cases per million vaccinated individuals annually.
People who have had serious vaccine reactions previously, or who have acute or chronic illnesses, are advised to consult healthcare providers to weigh potential risks before vaccination. Children receiving flu vaccine simultaneously with certain other vaccines may have a higher risk of fever-induced seizures, though these events are uncommon.
In summary, the flu vaccine is generally safe. Most side effects are mild and transient, while serious adverse events are very rare but require prompt medical care if they occur. The CDC provides information on seasonal influenza (flu), Guillain-Barré syndrome and flu vaccine, and offers guidelines for people with egg allergies regarding flu vaccines.
The Cleveland Clinic provides information on why vaccine shots can hurt and how to prevent it, while the University of Rochester Medical Center advises to skip Advil, Aleve for mild discomfort when getting a flu shot. Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics published a study titled "Influenza vaccines: Evaluation of the safety profile," and the Journal of Translational Internal Medicine published a study titled "Influenza Vaccination and Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Reality or Fear."
It's important to remember that while the flu vaccine cannot guarantee complete protection against the flu, it significantly reduces the risk of getting sick and can help prevent serious complications. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalised advice on flu vaccination.
In case of serious medical symptoms, calling 911 is advised. And as always, if you experience any unusual symptoms or reactions after getting the flu vaccine, seek immediate medical attention.
[References] [1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Flu Vaccine Information. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm [2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Vaccine Safety Information. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/vaccine-safety.htm [3] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Who Should and Who Should NOT Get Vaccinated. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/whoshouldvax.htm [4] National Council on Aging. (2021). Flu Season: What Older Adults Need to Know. Retrieved from https://www.ncoa.org/healthy-aging/health-wellness/healthy-habits/flu-season-what-older-adults-need-to-know/ [5] Cleveland Clinic. (2021). Why Vaccine Shots Can Hurt and How To Prevent It. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/14918-why-vaccines-can-hurt-and-how-to-prevent-it [6] Cleveland Clinic. (2021). Antihistamines: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Dosage, and Warning. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/12687-antihistamines [7] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Guillain-Barré Syndrome. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/guillain-barre-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20354750 [8] National Library of Medicine. (2021). Signs of Emergency Medical Attention. Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000044.htm [9] Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics. (2021). Influenza Vaccines: Evaluation of the Safety Profile. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7036916/ [10] Journal of Translational Internal Medicine. (2021). Influenza Vaccination and Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Reality or Fear. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7119620/ [11] University of Rochester Medical Center. (2021). Skip the Advil, Aleve, for Mild Discomfort when Getting a Flu Shot. Retrieved from https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/story/4298/skip-the-advil-aleve-for-mild-discomfort-when-getting-a-flu-shot.aspx [12] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Guillain-Barré Syndrome and Flu Vaccine. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/guillain-barre.htm [13] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Seasonal Influenza (Flu). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season-2021-2022.htm [14] American Journal of Medicine. (2021). Frequency of Adverse Reactions After Influenza Vaccination. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3166977/ [15] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV) (The Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccines-work/vaccineeffect.htm [16] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Misconceptions about Seasonal Flu and Flu Vaccines. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/misconceptions.htm [17] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). People with Egg Allergies and Flu Vaccine. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/egg-allergy.htm
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) guide advises on Guillian-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a disorder that can develop after vaccination, noting its occurrence at about 1 to 2 cases per million vaccinated individuals annually. The Cleveland Clinic, on the other hand, offers information on science-backed therapies and treatments for health-and-wellness, providing insights on the benefits and side effects of antihistamines, a common remedy for alleviating flu symptoms.
