Can A Flu Shot Make You Feel Bad

How Long Should You Quarantine Or Isolate

First things first, those who believe they have been in contact with someone who has COVID and are unvaccinated should quarantine. Those who test positive, regardless of vaccination status, must isolate, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Here’s the difference between the two:

Quarantine

Those who have been within six feet of someone with COVID for a cumulative total of at least 15 minutes over a 24-hour period should quarantine for five days if unvaccinated, or if they are more than six months out from their second vaccine dose, according to updated CDC guidance issued Monday.

Once that period ends, they should partake in strict mask use for an additional five days.

Previously, the CDC said people who were not fully vaccinated and who came in close contact with an infected person should stay home for at least 10 days.

Prior to Monday, people who were fully vaccinated which the CDC has defined as having two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine could be exempt from quarantine.

Those who are both fully vaccinated and boosted do not need to quarantine if they are a close contact of someone with COVID, but should wear a mask for at least 10 days after exposure. The same goes for those who are fully vaccinated and not yet eligible for their booster shot.

Local health authorities can also make the final determination about how long a quarantine should last, however, and testing can play a role.

How Effective Is The Seasonal Flu Shot

Influenza vaccine effectiveness can vary. The protection provided by a flu vaccine varies from season to season and depends in part on the age and health status of the person getting the vaccine and the similarity or match between the viruses in the vaccine and those in circulation. During years when the flu vaccine match is good, it is possible to measure substantial benefits from flu vaccination in terms of preventing flu illness and complications. However, the benefits of flu vaccination will still vary, depending on characteristics of the person being vaccinated , what influenza viruses are circulating that season and, potentially, which type of flu vaccine was used. For more information, see Vaccine Effectiveness How well does the Flu Vaccine Work. For information specific to this season, visit About the Current Flu Season.

*References for the studies listed above can be found at Publications on Influenza Vaccine Benefits. Also, see the A Strong Defense Against Flu: Get Vaccinatedpdf icon! fact sheet.

Coronavirus Symptoms: Frequently Asked Questions

Do you know the symptoms of COVID-19? Knowing the warning signs can help you take the right steps if you or loved ones become sick. Lisa Maragakis, M.D., M.P.H., senior director of infection prevention, provides an update on what to look out for and when to get help.

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Why Do You Get A Fever After The Flu Shot

It’s really important to note that a post-shot fever doesnt mean youve actually gotten the flu, or that the shot is unsafe. The flu vaccine can decrease your likelihood of contracting the flu by 40 to 60 percent, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And even if you do get the flu, the vaccine can reduce the severity and long-term health risks of your illness, reports the CDC.

A fever is actually a sign that your immune system has kicked in, Dr. Whyte says. The vaccine introduces pieces of the virus into your body, and then your cells go to the site where the vaccine was given, causing an immune response, Dr. Whyte explains. All of this leads to inflammation in the body, which may manifest as a fever.

Many experts believe one of the reasons why you might get a fever is because viruses don’t like high temperatures, so raising your temperature is a way to fight the infection, he adds. It’s one of the body’s defenses.

And dont worry, just because you dont develop a strong bodily reaction from your shot doesnt mean that youre any less protected. TBH, its usually more common for kids to have fevers than adults, Dr. Whyte says.

Can You Have Covid

Yes. Symptoms of COVID-19 usually show up from two to 14 days after exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, but some people who are infected do not develop symptoms or feel ill. This is why it is so important to wear a face mask and practice physical distancing and hand hygiene. People can be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and not realize it, but still be able to transmit it to other people.

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Does The Flu Shot Make You Sick Heres What To Know

It is not uncommon to have mild side effects from receiving a flu shot, such as a headache or a low-grade fever, but contrary to popular belief, people cannot get the flu from the flu vaccine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . AP

Flu season is just about here, and the the Center for Disease Control recommends getting a flu shot in September or October.

It is not uncommon to have mild side effects, such as soreness, a headache or a low-grade fever, after getting a flu shot, but contrary to some belief, you cannot get the flu from the flu vaccine, according to the CDC.

Here is what you need to know about what to expect after you have received your flu shot.

According to the CDC, flu shots have a good safety record.

Hundreds of millions of Americans have received flu vaccines safely over the past 50 years, and there has been a lot of research supporting the safety of flu vaccines.

Is It Normal To Feel Sick After The Flu Shot

On average, about 20,000 people die from the flu every year.

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Mrs. Jones, would you like the flu vaccine today?

No, doc. When I was younger I would get it and always get sick, so now — at my age — I think I will pass on it this year and take my chances.

This a very common exchange across all primary care providers offices at this time of the year — and a great opportunity to really try to understand why Mrs. Jones feels that the vaccines made her sick, and an opportunity for educational awareness about the flu vaccine.

The influenza, or flu, is responsible for approximately 20,000 deaths per year on average in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

The American Academy of Family Physicians states that every year about 130,000 people go to a hospital with the flu.

An effective, important way to protect yourself is by getting a flu shot — which cannot actually give you the flu. There are many reasons why people dont get the flu vaccine, but I hope that you will find facts and clarifications on common misconceptions about the vaccine below.

1. What is the flu?

Influenza is an infection in the nose, throat and lungs caused by a virus. This may be the worst cold of your life.

2. What are some of the symptoms of the flu?

3. How does the vaccine work?

4. Can I take medications instead of the flu shot?

5. What are side effects of the flu vaccine?

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Does A Flu Vaccine Increase Your Risk Of Getting Covid

• There is no evidence that getting a flu vaccine increases your risk of getting sick from a coronavirus, like the one that causes COVID-19.

• You may have heard about a study published in January 2020 that reported an association between flu vaccination and risk of four commonly circulating seasonal coronaviruses, but not the one that causes COVID-19. This report was later found to be incorrect.

• The results from that initial study led researchers in Canada to look at their data to see if they could find similar results in their population. The results from Canadas study showed that flu vaccination did not increase risk for these seasonal coronaviruses. The Canadian findings highlighted the protective benefits of flu vaccination.

• The Canadian researchers also identified a flaw in the methods of the first study, noting that it violated the part of study design that compares vaccination rates among patients with and without flu . This flaw led to the incorrect association between flu vaccination and seasonal coronavirus risk. When these researchers reexamined data from the first study using correct methods, they found that flu vaccination did not increase risk for infection with other respiratory viruses, including seasonal coronaviruses.

What Are The Side Effects

Some people may experience some side effects to the vaccine, which can appear as flu-like symptoms.

However, they tend to be mild and should normally clear up without any treatment in a day or so.

According to the NHS, common side-effects to the flu vaccine can include:

• A slightly raised temperature
• Muscle aches
• Sore arm where the needle went in this is more likely to happen with the vaccine for people aged 65 and over

You can help the discomfort of flu jab side effects by:

• moving your arm regularly
• taking a painkiller, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Some people, including those who are pregnant, should not take ibuprofen unless a doctor recommends it

Experts say the flu and Covid vaccines are safe to get at the same time.

The side effects don’t appear to be any worse, either.

The ComFluCov study showed that of those who got jabs at the same time, 85.2 per cent had at least one local side effect compared to 81.7 per cent in those who just got the Covid jab.

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How Soon Might Covid Symptoms Appear

According to earlier CDC guidance, COVID symptoms can appear anywhere from two to 14 days after someone is exposed to the virus.

Anyone exhibiting symptoms should get tested for COVID-19.

Some people may never experience symptoms, though they can still spread the virus.

A person is also considered contagious before symptoms appear.

The Bottom Line On Flu Shots And Side Effects

It’s normal to feel soreness, redness, tenderness, or even develop a mild fever or body aches during the two days after you get vaccinatedthats just your immune response, not the flu illness itself.

So theres no reason to avoid getting the flu shot because you think itll make you sick. Unless you have severe or life-threatening allergies to the flu vaccine or any ingredients in it, you should roll up your sleeves for one each year, the CDC says .

Getting sick with the flu is more dangerous than many people think. While most people will recover, some people can develop complications from the influenza virus, which can include sinus and ear infections, pneumonia, and inflammation of the heart , brain , or muscle . It can even be deadly.

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Does This Happen With All Immunizations

It can. Not everyone gets a sore arm from every vaccine, but different factors like how the vaccine is injected matter. An intramuscular shot like the flu, COVID-19, or tetanus shot tends to cause more arm soreness than a subcutaneous vaccine, which just goes under you skin, like the measles-mumps-rubella-varicella vaccine , Dr. Schaffner says.

Your body’s individual response also comes into play, Aline Holmes, DNP, NP, an associate professor at the Rutgers School of Nursing, tells Health. “It’s really specific to your body,” she says. “A lot of people get shots and have absolutely no reaction to them Others do.”

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When Should I Contact A Doctor About My Symptoms

If you feel ill, call your doctors office or health care center and explain your symptoms over the phone. They will discuss next steps, including whether you should have a COVID-19 test. If it turns out that you have COVID-19, mild cases can be managed at home with rest and self-isolation. If you become severely ill, you may need hospital care.

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Pale Or Discolored Skin

They say the rare complication in serious Covid cases means oxygen levels in the blood are low.

The CDC called it an “emergency warning sign” and said people should seek help immediately if you notice the change in color, along with trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, inability to stay awake, or new confusion.

What Are The Main Side Effects Of The Flu Shot

The CDC lists the following common side effects that people may experience from getting a flu shot:

• Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
• Headache
• Nausea
• Muscle aches

If these reactions occur, they usually begin soon after vaccination and last one to two days.

You can have a sore arm, feel a little achy for a day or two, and maybe have a low-grade fever as your immune system gets turned on, says James Conway, MD, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison.

If so, take some Tylenol or some ibuprofen and ride it out its a small inconvenience and certainly well worth the protection from what could be a potentially devastating disease, he adds.

Another occasional reaction to be aware of is fainting a handful of people may temporarily lose consciousness after getting any type of vaccination.

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How Do Flu Vaccines Work

• Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against infection with the viruses that are used to make the vaccine.

• The seasonal flu vaccine protects against the influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the upcoming season. Most flu vaccines in the United States protect against four different flu viruses an influenza A virus, an influenza A virus, and two influenza B viruses. There are also some flu vaccines that protect against three different flu viruses an influenza A virus, an influenza A virus, and one influenza B virus. Two of the trivalent vaccines are designed specifically for people 65 and older to create a stronger immune response.

You Should Aim To Get Your Flu Shot In Early Fall

Its not possible to plan your flu shot timing around when you might get a COVID booster yet. Thats because even though booster doses have been recommended by the Biden administration, they havent yet been authorized by the FDA. Still, they could start rolling out in a matter of weeks to people who are eight months out from their last dose.

In general, September and October are the ideal times to get a flu vaccine. Experts always emphasize that its absolutely still worth getting a shot later in the fall or winter, because flu season can peak in March and last until the spring.

I would say its always better to get the flu shot earlier, no matter the season, Minges said. He added that one byproduct of the minimal influenza activity around the world last year is that experts have less information than usual to decide which specific flu viruses to include in this years vaccine.

But thats not a reason to avoid getting the flu shot. And besides, theres no way to know how bad this years flu season will be.

The best defense against influenza and COVID-19 is vaccination, number one, Clark said. And safe social distance, wearing masks, frequent hand washing, not going to school or work when youre sick are all things we can continue to do to protect ourselves.

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How Effective Is The Flu Vaccine

The effectiveness of the seasonal flu vaccine depends upon several factors, including how well the flu strains in the vaccine match the strains in circulation. Some studies show that when strains in the vaccine are a good match with the ones that are circulating, vaccinated individuals are 60 percent less likely to catch the flu than people who aren’t vaccinated, according to the CDC.

Flu vaccine effectiveness can also vary depending on the person being vaccinated the vaccine tends to work best in healthy adults and older children, and less well in older adults.

For instance, a 2013 study from the CDC found that the year’s flu vaccine was not very effective in adults ages 65 and over: Older people who got the vaccine were just as likely to visit the doctor for flu symptoms as those who did not get the vaccine.

But other studies suggest that individuals who do get sick develop less serve symptoms if they are vaccinated. A 2013 study published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases found that people who got the flu shot were less likely to be hospitalized with the flu.

Does The Flu Vaccination Protect Me From Coronavirus

Getting the flu vaccination wont protect you from the coronavirus as it is a different virus, and a vaccine for it is currently being made available. However, The World Health Organization recommends we all get the flu vaccine each year to help prevent the flu and keep you and your family healthy all winter long.

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