Sorry to break it to you, but flu season, which peaks between December and February in the US, isn’t going anywhere, and just like your taxes or annual trip to the dentist, you should address it every year. How? By rolling up your sleeves and getting vaccinated, of course. Sure, there are other precautions that can help protect you from flu viruses—frequently washing your hands and masking up, to name a few—but the flu shot is one tool that should definitely be at the top of your list.
Like any vaccine though, the flu shot can come with potential side effects—which are usually good signs that your immune system is creating the antibodies you need to fight influenza viruses that come your way. But how long exactly do flu shot side effects last, and is there anything we can do to feel less crappy…or better yet, avoid feeling bad at all? Here’s what you should know so you can plan ahead, just in case you do end up feeling a bit crummy after your jab.
How long do flu shot side effects last for most people?
Although everyone will have their own unique experiences, soreness and swelling around the area you got poked (usually your upper arm) is the most common flu vaccine side effect, Daniel Abazia, PharmD, a clinical associate professor of pharmacy practice and administration at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Jersey, tells SELF. Other totally normal and common side effects, according to the CDC, include headache, fever, muscle aches, and fatigue. And your side effects may vary depending on what vaccine you get. For example, there’s a nasal spray flu vaccine (called FluMist) for non-pregnant people ages 2 to 49, and that one may cause a runny nose or sore throat in adults. Luckily, flu vaccine side effects in general are pretty mild and go away on their own.
All of these common side effects typically last for about two days “at the most,” Dr. Abazia says, but if they’re lasting beyond three to four days, “you may want to consider calling your doctor.” It could just be bad timing in the sense that you caught the flu or some other bug right before or after your shot, which could explain why your side effects appear to linger. (Remember, it can take weeks for immunity to develop after vaccination.)
Much, much more rare is the possibility of developing Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS): a disorder in which your immune system temporarily or permanently damages your nerves, causing muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis, which can be life-threatening in some cases. But again, this is very rare, happening on the order of 1–2 additional cases of GBS per million administered doses of the flu vaccine. Not to mention, you’re more likely to get GBS after a bout of the actual flu rather than the vaccine for it.
There are some cases where you might experience shoulder pain after your shot. This can last for a couple days to about a week, or longer in rare instances. This is called shoulder bursitis, Dr. Abazia says, and it happens when your vaccine is administered a little too high and/or deep in your arm and affects the fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushions the joint. One study found that out of 996 million flu shot doses, there were 1,220 reports of shoulder pain that started within two days of vaccination that lasted for more than a week. In other words, it’s very unlikely that you’ll experience this, Dr. Abazia says, however, it’s worth knowing in case you have shoulder pain after your shot and don’t know why. Fortunately, this isn’t a forever problem, and for most people it will resolve over time.
Are some people more likely to get flu shot side effects?
First thing’s first: Everyone reacts to vaccines differently. Some people may feel totally fine after they get the flu shot, while others might have to hibernate in a blanket burrito for a day or so until they feel better. That said, the vaccine will generally affect most people similarly, in that side effects will be relatively mild and last for a couple of days. However, there does seem to be one exception—people ages 65 and older, Dr. Abazia says, depending on what vaccine they are given.
The CDC recommends that people in this age group, who are more likely to get really sick if they get the flu, receive different shots that are more effective at preventing severe disease. For example, the Fluzone High-Dose vaccine, specifically, contains four times more antigen (dead bits of influenza virus that spur your body to make antibodies) than the standard doses—which means they can cause more side effects, like fever, muscle pain, and headache. But in case you’re wondering, they’re still considered pretty mild and just about the same as those of the normal shot.
Can I prevent flu shot side effects?
There’s really no way to prevent influenza vaccine side effects, but you can take some steps to reduce how hard some of them hit you. One easy piece of advice: Relax your arm while getting your shot, Dr. Abazia says. When you tense up, you increase the chances that the vaccine needle causes more of that arm soreness we talked about. “If you really can get in that zen space and do some breathing exercises to calm yourself down, you’re less likely to be sore” he says, and your tenderness won’t last as long.
How to feel a bit better when flu shot side effects strike
Again, any discomfort post-vaccine should be pretty short-lived. But if you’re not feeling great, there are a few things you can do to try to speed up your recovery time:
Take OTC pain relievers. Acetaminophen is a good option for reducing fever and easing any soreness at the injection site, Dr. Abazia says. Move and massage your affected arm. This can help promote blood flow to the area and lessen your pain. Cool it down or warm it up. Putting a cool, damp washcloth over your arm can help with swelling and a warm compress can relax your muscles to reduce pain. Drink plenty of fluids. Being hydrated won’t necessarily get rid of your side effects, but it enables your body to work more efficiently, John Sellick, DO, an infectious disease doctor and professor at the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in New York, tells SELF. Also, dehydration can make you feel even worse. Rest! If your body feels off and sluggish, take it easy. Consider going to bed a bit earlier, or doing lighter stretching instead of an intense run, for example. Some other flu vaccine things to keep in mind?
Some people may have an allergic reaction to a component in the flu vaccine, like egg protein, but this is fairly rare. (FYI: You no longer have to worry about getting a flu shot if you have an egg allergy, the CDC says, because studies found that severe reactions are unlikely.) If you do experience an allergic reaction to the vaccine in general, it usually happens within a few minutes to a few hours after you get the shot, according to the CDC. Allergies of all kinds can pop up when they please, so just because you’ve never had a previous reaction doesn’t mean you can’t ever have one. Those who are allergic can potentially experience trouble breathing, wheezing, hives, weakness, a rapid heartbeat, and/or dizziness. You should always let your health care provider or pharmacist know in advance if you have a history of allergies or severe reactions to any vaccines, so you can talk through your options with that in mind.
And, you may already know this, but we’ll say it louder for everyone in the back: The flu shot can’t actually give you the flu—ever—no matter the circumstances. It’s literally one of the biggest myths out there. So don’t worry too much about any side effects you may experience because they’re a sign that the shot is doing exactly what it’s supposed to do: protect you against the flu.
Related:
I Thought I Just Had the Flu. Then I Went Into Cardiac Arrest Here’s How the Flu Can Lead to Serious Heart Problems How 5 People With Weakened Immune Systems Prep for Flu Season
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