Between the months of October and May, the flu circulates at a high level. Your best chance of avoiding the virus during flu season is to get vaccinated.
The flu vaccine is available as a shot and can reduce your risk of getting the flu by as much as 60%, depending on the particular strain. It is recommended that everyone over six months of age get the vaccine, especially those at a high risk for developing serious complications from the flu—including pregnant women, individuals with weak immune systems, and people over the age of 65.
Although side effects from the vaccine don’t happen to everyone, when they do occur, they can range from mild to severe. If you’re thinking about getting a flu shot, here are the possible side effects you should know about.
Pain at the Injection Site
Experiencing soreness in the area where you received the shot is the most common side effect of a flu shot. In addition to the pain, you may notice redness, warmth, and a little swelling. This usually lasts less than two days.
Aches and Pains
The first couple days after the shot you might feel aches and pain in your muscles throughout your body. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help reduce the pain.
Headache
Headaches are a mild side effect that can occur with a flu shot. Sometimes they may be accompanied with dizziness or fainting. Like the other side effects, they should not last longer than two days.
Fever
Another mild side effect is a slight fever, which should go away within a couple days. If you have a fever higher than 101 degrees, call a doctor.
Severe Allergic Reaction
In rare cases, a severe allergic reaction can occur. The signs of this include hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, an accelerated heartbeat, changes in behavior, dizziness, and weakness. A severe allergic reaction will happen within a few hours of getting the shot. If it occurs, call 911 right away.
Have more questions? See more answers from Alot.
