Flu-Like Symptoms After a Flu Shot
Flu shots help protect people from getting influenza, a disease that can lead to hospitalization and even death. Because flu vaccinations contain an inactivated version of the flu virus, they cannot cause influenza. Receiving a flu shot may cause side effects that are similar to flu symptoms, however. Furthermore, although flu shots are typically quite effective, it is still possible to get the flu despite being vaccinated.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Flu Shot Side Effects
Soreness, redness and swelling around the injection site are the most common side effects of the flu shot. Other possible side effects -- including cough, fever, aches, headache and fatigue -- are similar to flu symptoms, although they are typically less severe. Side effects are usually mild, begin shortly after the injection and last 1 or 2 days. Severe allergic reactions occur in less than 1 in 1 million people receiving a flu shot, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1. Allergic reactions are more common in people with an egg allergy.
- Soreness, redness and swelling around the injection site are the most common side effects of the flu shot.
- Allergic reactions are more common in people with an egg allergy.
Illness After Vaccination
Deadly Flu Symptoms
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People may develop influenza if they are exposed to the flu virus shortly before or after receiving the vaccine, before the shot has a chance to work. Influenza may also occur if a person is exposed to a flu virus that is not contained in the vaccine. Some people -- depending on their age and overall health -- develop less immunity after receiving a flu shot, increasing the chances that they will become sick with influenza. Flu-like symptoms may be caused by a number of other illnesses that are not affected by the flu shot, such as the common cold.
- People may develop influenza if they are exposed to the flu virus shortly before or after receiving the vaccine, before the shot has a chance to work.
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References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Possible Side Effects for Vaccines - Influenza
- JAMA: Effectiveness and Cost-Benefit of Influenza Vaccination of Healthy Working Adults
- Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. Flu symptoms. Reviewed September 18, 2019.
- Centers for Disease Contron and Prevention. What is flu season? Reviewed July 12, 2018.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Flu vaccination. Reviewed December 2, 2019.
- Tartof SY, Qian L, Rieg GK, et al. Safety of Seasonal Influenza Vaccination in Hospitalized Surgical Patients: A Cohort Study. Ann Intern Med. 2016;164(9):593-9. doi:10.7326/M15-1667
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Take three actions to protect against flu. Reviewed September 19, 2019.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Who needs a flu vaccine & when. Reviewed October 11, 2019.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Flu vaccination. Rreviewed December 2, 2019.
- Seasonal Influenza: Flu Basics. Centers for Disease Control.
Writer Bio
Macy Lucas is a registered nurse with her main focus in cardiology. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Grand Valley State University.