Normal reaction to flu shot?

[Anonymous]

I got a flu shot this morning and now my whole body is incredibly achey. It feels like I ran too hard for too long. I've never reacted to the shot like this before. Is this normal?

[Anonymous]

Not anymore, they don't use a live virus in the shot.

It may be unrelated - are you hydrated? Dehydration can make me feel like total crap (just like you described).

[Anonymous]

I got my flu shot today too, OP, and I feel the same way. I was laid up on the couch all afternoon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not anymore, they don't use a live virus in the shot.

It may be unrelated - are you hydrated? Dehydration can make me feel like total crap (just like you described).

There's no live virus, so you're not going to catch the flu from it, but it *is* designed to stimulate an immune response - and for some people that can leave you feeling run down.

[Anonymous]

My 9 month old got it two days ago and was burning up with a fever all night long - totally fine the next day.

[Anonymous]

Yes, 2/3 times I've gotten the shot, I developed flu symptoms within 4 hours--ache, mild fever, cough. It lasted about a day, a little less. I did report it on the CDC VAERs site.

[Anonymous]

That is a pretty normal reaction. They advise taking advil/tylenol after the shot to help with the aches. I've never found it go past 24 hours though. I thought the nasal spray does have live virus, the shot not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
There's no live virus, so you're not going to catch the flu from it, but it *is* designed to stimulate an immune response - and for some people that can leave you feeling run down.

+1

[Anonymous]

I had the same reaction to my flu shot yesterday. Within a few hours, I was achy and exhausted. I have never reacted to the shot before. I'm still not feeling great this morning.

[Anonymous]

My DS has been sick ever since receiving the flu shot earlier this month. Every year, anyone in our family gets the flu shot ends up way sicker than the rest of of the family for the whole winter. I don't think the cold is from the shot, but I do think it affects the immune system - for us, not in a good way. We all had the cold for a few days, but he's been fighting it for weeks now.

I don't think the rest of us will get the flu shot this year. Fortunately no more little babies in our family so we have a choice this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That is a pretty normal reaction. They advise taking advil/tylenol after the shot to help with the aches. I've never found it go past 24 hours though. I thought the nasal spray does have live virus, the shot not.

Correct, the nasal spray vaccine has live (weakened) virus, the injected form does not.

[Anonymous]

Almost every year when I get the shot, I get a low grade fever and feel achy. Didn't happen last year, but that was unusual. I have to time my shot very carefully by making sure I do it on a Fri and have the weekend to lay on the couch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had the same reaction to my flu shot yesterday. Within a few hours, I was achy and exhausted. I have never reacted to the shot before. I'm still not feeling great this morning.

I'm a PP, but same here. About four hours after the shot my whole body aches and I was too tired to get off the couch. No aches today, but totally feeling run down and exhausted. Never had this happen after a flu shot before.