So you’ve decided to get yourself a flu shot, that’s great! According to the CDC, flu vaccinations help prevent thousands of people from flu-related hospitalizations annually. But before you get one, there are some things you need to expect.
Some people experience a few side effects, including…
1. Pain In The Injection Site
After receiving the flu shot, it’s pretty normal to feel pain and weakness for the first few minutes, but for some people, these actually last much longer and may even cause some redness around the injection site.
The pain might also be visible at the injection site…
2. Swelling
Post-injection inflammation (swelling) is another common side effect of getting flu shots since it’s the body’s reaction to the needle and the infused medicine. These typically go away within hours or may even last a few days.
Expect a few nerve-racking moments…
3. Headaches
People experience mild (or sometimes severe) headaches moments after getting vaccinated. But don’t fret; it’s a normal response of the body’s immune system to the vaccine and is considered an indicator of its efficacy.
You might want to pack an inhaler and a paper bag with you…
4. Nausea & Vomiting
Some people report experiencing nausea and vomiting after the flu shot due to the body’s immune reaction to the vaccine. Children who received nasal flu shots also tend to share the same symptoms.
It might limit your movement for a while…
5. Muscle Aches
There are a few instances of people suffering from Guillain-Barré syndrome after getting their flu vaccine. GBS is a neurological condition that attacks the nerve cells which causes intense muscle aches and weakness.
The shot can be too much for the “faint”-hearted…
6. Fainting
While this is uncommon, some adolescents tend to faint after receiving injections, including the flu vaccine. However, this may be due to one’s fear of needles, which causes blood pressure to drop.
Sometimes, it just knocks you down…
7. Mild Fever
Most people think that experiencing fevers is a dangerous effect of any vaccination. In reality, having a low-grade fever is a good sign that the immune system responds to the vaccine, building immunity against the virus.
You might need to bring some tissues for this one…
8. Coughing & Sneezing
Compared to most of the side effects, coughing and sneezing are much rarer, but if they do happen, they occur moments after the shot. The coughing is usually a dry one, and a runny nose also accompanies the sneezing.
Some side effects make your heart race…
9. Faster Heartrates
Tachycardia, a condition where the heart beats faster than normal while at rest, is sometimes felt along with the fever by those who just got their flu shots. It occasionally causes weakness and loss of consciousness.
But don’t think you’re in the clear yet…
10. Other Allergic Reactions
While a rare occurrence, it’s still possible for flu shots to cause severe side effects like strained breathing, wheezing, hoarseness, swollen lips, itchy skin, and in a few cases, conjunctivitis.
