Wibbitz Top Stories. Q: It has been seven weeks since I had my annual flu shot, and my arm is still sore at the injection site. The flu is a contagious respiratory illness that’s caused by influenza viruses. First, it’s important to understand why your arm hurts after the flu vaccine. Erythema Or Skin Redness 6. 1:57. After a recent annual physical, the doctor reminded my husband and I we needed to have the flu vaccine. These may include fever, tiredness and muscle aches. How long does the flu shot protect you from the flu? a serious allergic reaction, which can include symptoms like: children younger than 5 years old, particularly those under 2 years old, people with underlying health conditions, such as, individuals living in a nursing home or long-term care facility, you’ve had a previous severe allergic reaction to the flu shot or any of its. One of these is a sore arm, which we’ll discuss in more detail in this article. Some groups of people are at higher risk for developing complications from the flu, which makes it very important to…. Like the flu shot, it also can cause mild side effects. Caroline Roberts, Amanda Capritto. A sore arm is a very common side effect of the flu shot. One type of vaccine isn’t recommended over another, so you can choose the flu shot or the nasal spray. The goal is for your immune system to make antibodies to fight off these viral components. Like other types of injections, it’s possible that the flu shot may cause fainting, especially if you have a fear of needles and injections. It’s not recommended for certain groups, such as pregnant people and those with a weakened immune system. Follow. Not everyone gets a sore arm, but it is common, and the reason actually may surprise you. It protects you from the flu viruses that could make you sick during the upcoming flu season. Keep the arm moving after receiving the shot to increase blood flow and promote the dispersal of the vaccine in your body. Not everyone gets a sore arm after a flu shot, but it’s pretty common. "It hurts because an immune response is triggered and various types of immune cells and released proteins congregate in the affected area, causing it to feel sore." Indeed, some fibromyalgia patients tolerate shots just fine. There are no…, New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that flu activity is low across the country. Bruising 4. Be sure to: A flu shot should help to protect you for the duration of the current flu season. This includes: Getting your flu shot is also particularly important in light of COVID-19. Get the shot in your non-dominant arm. Don't Be Worried if Your Arm Hurts After a Flu Shot. Ever wonder why your arm is so sore after a flu shot?. Then, continue taking the medication, as directed, for one to two days following the vaccine. The flu shot introduces influenza virus components into your body. This year's annual flu shot will offer protection against three or four of the influenza viruses expected to be in circulation this flu season. While it’s best to get the vaccine in the early fall, it can be beneficial at any point in the flu season. The soreness or discomfort typically goes away after a few days. The CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older receive the flu vaccine. Your vaccination can still help protect you for the remainder of the flu season. Elisabeth Cassayre got a shot at her local pharmacy, and the pain in her arm began that night. In the meantime, you can use OTC pain medications or an ice pack to ease pain and swelling at the injection site. Though influenza has taken a back seat to COVID-19 this year, the flu is scattered across the United States. Roughly one in five people have this type of … And why it's actually a good thing. Reactions At The Site Of The Injection In fact it has got much worse. A Fibrous Thickening Of The Skin Called Induration 3. A sore arm is a very common side effect of the flu shot. Muscle tissue, like that found in your arm, has a high concentration of blood vessels. It refused to go away. Irene's husband had a flu jab in his arm and complained that it felt tender and sore but thought it would ease. Typically, flu activity starts…, Experts say safety measures such as wearing a mask and keeping physical distance can help reduce droplet transmission of colds, influenza, and…. Data shows the flu is spreading in Texas…, Flu activity remains surprisingly low this year, largely in part to the safety precautions in place to prevent COVID-19. Southern Living. The flu shot is usually injected into your upper arm, which is why the early immune response—and any pain—tends to be localized there. When they do occur, they can include: If you have a sore arm after getting the flu shot, you may want to try the following to help ease your symptoms. Playing next. While getting a vaccine is never much fun, the protection you receive from the flu shot will help keep your family and community healthy during a challenging flu season. If you know you normally experience pain and swelling with an injection, take ibuprofen (if you are able) about two hours before you get your shot. All rights reserved. Are there any other options for the flu vaccine besides getting a shot? The composition of flu vaccines have been updated for … “The reason why your arm specifically is sore is that your immune system is giving you a robust response to the flu vaccination,” Dr. Juanita Mora told the American Lung Association’s blog, Every Breath. For arm pain after the flu shot, apply a cool compress. Receiving a flu shot is especially crucial in groups that are at risk of serious illness or complications from the flu. Additionally, a 2000 research review showed that serious reactions to vaccines given into muscle tissue are rare. It’s a quick, relatively painless procedure. The flu shot, just like every other vaccine, can also occasionally cause fainting — but this is usually triggered by pain or anxiety rather than the shot itself, according to the CDC. A 2017 research review investigated the effect of the flu vaccination on illness severity in adults. You may see this vaccine referred to as FluMist or the live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV). Getting a flu shot often protects you from coming down with the flu. Unlike the flu shot, it contains active (“live”) influenza viruses. If you got your flu shot recently, your arm likely felt as though it had been sucker punched in the days afterward. 5 months ago | 98 views. Here’s what you need to know to correctly identify the flu and get the treatment you need. So, if you’re right-handed, get the flu vaccine in your left arm. Typically, those are just temporary and include pain, swelling, and redness around the site of the injection—much like any shot—which may appear 24 to 48 hours after the actual shot. During this time, it’s important to take steps to prevent picking up the flu virus. Influenza, or the flu, is a viral infection that attacks the lungs, nose, and throat. The same goes for side effects of the nasal flu vaccine. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, serious side effects from the flu shot are very rare. Getting a flu shot shouldn't be a complicated thing, right? By Mayo Clinic Staff. 9 flu shot myths you should stop believing and spreading. We break down all of the misconceptions surrounding the flu shot. The flu vaccine is not 100% protective for a variety of reasons, nor is it free from side effects, but it is certainly safer than getting a full-blown case of true influenza. The CDC recommend getting a flu shot in September or October, but getting one any time during flu season will help. So, if you’re right-handed, get the flu vaccine in your left arm. Flu season is almost here, and with the added concern of the COVID-19 virus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strongly recommend that everyone who is 6 months old and older get the flu vaccine. The flu and the common cold may seem very similar at first. This can be in the form of an inactivated (“dead”) virus or single viral proteins. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. After getting the flu shot, it can take up to 2 weeks for your body to produce antibodies. Everything You Need to Know About the Flu, While COVID-19 is Raging, Flu Cases Remain Unusually Low, Why Flu Cases are Down During a Massive Pandemic, FDA Issues Warning Over These Fake Flu Cures: What to Know, COVID-19 Safety Protocols Will Also Protect You from Colds, Flu, swelling, redness, or discoloration at the injection site. Some people may hesitate to get the flu vaccine because they believe the flu shot will give them the flu (it won’t) or because they’re afraid of the pain that comes with getting shots. Browse more videos. You may be wondering why you need to get a flu shot every year. The most common side effect of the flu shot is a reaction at the injection site, which is typically on the upper arm. What’s the Nasal Flu Spray? Intramuscular injections, like a flu shot or the COVID vaccine, these do hurt more because they’re going into your muscle, and so they’re obviously creating a little tiny tear in your muscle. Report. If you keep the arm from moving too much, it can cause more pain. It's not always easy to determine if you have a cold or the flu, but knowing the differences helps treatment work more quickly. The flu shot usually is given by injection into the upper arm. And although the flu shot doesn't always provide total protection, it's worth getting. These side effects can start within a few hours of your being vaccinated and sometimes last for 1 or 2 days. As a result, it produces an immune response, which leads to the soreness or swelling that occurs near the injection site. While getting influenza vaccine is a relatively painless experience for most people, some do find that the area where the needle was injected tends to be pretty sore for a day or two after the shot.. Aside from being mildly annoying, it's really nothing to worry about. It’s a contagious illness with symptoms ranging from mild to…, The flu can be life threatening. In addition to keeping you out of the doctor’s office, this can also conserve medical resources for those that have COVID-19 or other health conditions. Last medically reviewed on December 10, 2020. We'd become familiar with this routine and were ready to receive the shots at his office when … The nasal spray vaccine is sprayed into your nose. That's the way it should go down, but for someone with lymphedema, it's not that easy. © 2005-2021 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Influenza viruses are continually evolving throughout the year. It’s possible that you can still get the flu, even if you received your flu shot. This is why you likely won’t have enough immunity from this year’s shot to protect you into the next flu season. After the shot is given, you may … In addition to the flu shot, a nasal spray vaccine is also available. The flu vaccine protects against the strains of influenza that research predicts will be the most prevalent in the upcoming flu season. Low Energy 9. However, your illness likely won’t be as severe as it would be if you hadn’t been vaccinated. If you don’t want to get a shot, there are other vaccination options available to you. Both the flu and COVID-19 have similar symptoms and will circulate within communities this winter. Additionally, a 2019 research review showed that the immunity provided by the flu shot decreases quickly over time. Try to relax the arm where you will get the shot. It found that vaccination was associated with lower influenza-related hospital stays, ICU admissions, and deaths. It’s made from weakened flu viruses. Alternate placing ice packs and heat packs on the injection area if it’s sore. Muscle tension in the arm leads to restricted blood flow, which can make the pain worse. While taking the sting out of the injection entirely may not be possible for many people, there are ways to minimize the pain both during and after the injection. However, these vaccine viruses have been weakened so they won’t cause an infection. Having a sore arm after getting the flu shot is very normal. These antibodies can then protect you against an actual influenza infection. The combination of heat and cold can help reduce swelling. Chills 5. It typically goes away after a few days. Flu Shot Arm Pain: Why It Happens and What It Means. The CDC currently recommends that all people 6 months and older be vaccinated for flu. Muscle Pain 10. This vaccine is sprayed into your nose. What can you do to relieve a sore arm caused by the flu shot? Most people have little or no reaction to the flu shot and the most common side effect is some discomfort in your arm hours after receiving the vaccination, including soreness, redness and/or swelling. Since the 2018 to 2019 flu season, the CDC has recommended the nasal spray vaccine because data suggest that it’s now as effective as the flu shot in children. Because of this, last year’s vaccine may not be a good match for the viruses that are prevalent this flu season. Both suffered serious shoulder injuries, not from an injury, but from their flu shot. Nov. 2, … But it’s not just the needle that’s bothersome. Speak with your doctor before receiving a flu shot if any of the following are true: While the CDC recommends getting vaccinated by the end of October, it’s still OK to get your vaccine after this time frame. If you receive the flu shot as an intramuscular injection (a.k.a. While some people experience mild symptoms, others can become seriously ill. Each year, a seasonal flu vaccine is available to help protect you from becoming sick with the flu. An influenza (flu) shot is a flu vaccine given with a needle, usually in the arm. Try to relax the arm where you will get the shot. “It can really be quite a significant problem,” says infectious disease specialist Dr. Robert Duncan. If you’re interested in receiving the nasal spray vaccine, talk with your doctor about whether it’s a safe option for you. This allows the cells of your immune system to effectively access and process the contents of the vaccine. The flu shot is given with a needle in your arm, while the nasal spray vaccine is misted into your nose. What are the most common side effects of the flu shot? Your vaccine will typically include four strains (quadrivalent), but may sometimes include three (trivalent). (And if you haven’t received the vaccine yet, here’s your friendly PSA to stop putting it off.) Like the flu shot, the nasal spray has some potential side effects. Monoclonal antibodies against flu. In the past, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended against getting the nasal spray vaccine. Furthermore, overall flu…, The Food and Drug Administration released an advisory warning against fraudulent products that claim to prevent and cure the flu. 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