You Shouldn’t Get The Flu
There is a lot of misinformation about the influenza vaccine. There aren’t any active viruses in the shot, so there’s no way you can get the flu from the jab. This misconception probably comes from the fact that most people get the flu shot during flu season an individual may have already contracted the infection before administration of the vaccine.
How Is Acute Bronchitis Diagnosed
Healthcare providers can often diagnose acute bronchitis by taking a medical history and doing physical exam. Tests may be done to rule out other diseases, such as pneumonia or asthma. Any of these tests may be used to help confirm a diagnosis:
- Chest X-rays. A test that uses invisible radiation beams to make images of internal tissues, bones, and organs, including the lungs.
- Arterial blood gas. This blood test is used to analyze the amount of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the blood.
- Pulse oximetry. An oximeter is a small machine that measures the amount of oxygen in the blood. To get this measurement, a small sensor is taped or clipped on a finger or toe. When the machine is on, a small red light can be seen in the sensor. The sensor is painless and the red light does not get hot.
- Cultures of nasal discharge and sputum. Testing the sputum you cough up or swab from your nose may be done to find and identify the microorganism causing the infection.
- Pulmonary function tests. These are tests that help to measure the ability of the lungs to move air in and out of the lungs. The tests are usually done with special machines that you breathe into.
Ease Aches With A Massage
Though receiving a massage won’t likely cure your flu overnight, it can indirectly help you recover faster. In addition to alleviating body aches, massage therapy can reduce levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that weakens your immunity by impairing certain infection-fighting white blood cells.
Many massage therapists do not treat people when they are sick, but a friend or family member can lend a hand as well. Massaging with topical relief creams may improve blood flow and further ease your aches just keep in mind that flu viruses are contagious, and anyone who gives you a massage could be put at risk.
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Flu Vaccination Fever And Coronavirus
It is quite common to develop a fever after a vaccination. This would normally happen within 48 hours of the vaccination and usually goes away within 48 hours.
You do not need to self-isolate or book a coronavirus test unless you have other coronavirus symptoms or if you have been advised to by:
- NHS Test and Protect
- your Occupational Health team
- a Public Health Protection team
If the fever started 48 hours after the vaccination or continues beyond 48 hours from the time of the vaccination, you should self-isolate and book a test.
For more information about the latest advice visit our coronavirus pages or phone 0800 030 8013.
Tips On How To Prepare For Flu Season
While its possible to get the flu year-round, the fall and winter months are prime flu season . With the right plan, you can help avoid the flu as best as possible and be prepared if it does hit your home.
FIRST, PRACTICE HEALTHY HABITS.
- Start with a flu shot, which can reduce your risk of getting the flu. Ask your doctor for more details.
- Keep strong with a routine that keeps your body in peak performance, like regular exercise, a balanced diet, healthy sleep and limiting your stress levels. Talk to your doctor before beginning or revising any exercise regimen.
- Keep it clean and wash both your hands and surfaces regularly. Disinfectant is your friend!
THEN, BE PREPARED.
- Stock up on staples such as fluids , tissues and over-the-counter medication. You wont want to head out to the store when youre under the weather.
Most importantly, take some time off. It is important if you are sick with the flu to stay home from work or school to prevent further spreading of the flu to others. The flu can last longer than a cold and youll need to recuperate. Youll be back on your feet soon enough.
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When Should I Seek Medical Help
Anyone can develop serious complications from the flu, but certain people are at an especially high risk, including men and women over age 65, those with certain chronic health conditions , pregnant women, and children younger than 5 .
The CDC lists a number of emergency warning signs of the flu. For adults, these include the following symptoms:
- Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
- Persistent dizziness, confusion, or inability to rouse from sleep
- Seizures
Has Anyone Had Severe Low Back Pain After Seasonal Flu Shot
I took a mandatory flu shot at work Oct. 19, 2009 on my left arm. I had chills and a fever of 102* along with left arm aching pain, and a bout of severe low back pain within the first 2 weeks after receiving the shot. All other symptoms have since dissipated except for the severe low back pain and a strange wobbliness in my legs. The low back pain is bad enough to where I could not move by myself for a week, and now cannot really sit or bend without a high degree of constant pain.
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Who Should And Who Should Not Get A Flu Vaccine
Everyone 6 months of age and older should get an influenza vaccine every season with rare exception. CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices has made this recommendation since the 2010-2011 flu season.
Vaccination to prevent flu and its potentially serious complications is particularly important for people who are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications. See People at Higher Risk of Developing Flu-Related Complications for a full list of age and health factors that confer increased risk.
More information is available at Who Needs a Flu Vaccine.
Different influenza vaccines are approved for use in people in different age groups. In addition, some vaccines are not recommended for certain groups of people. Factors that can determine a persons suitability for vaccination, or vaccination with a particular vaccine, include a persons age, health and any allergies to flu vaccine or its components. For more information, visit Who Should and Who Should NOT get a Flu Vaccine.
Allergic Reactions To The Flu Shot
Though the side effects listed above are normal reactions to the flu vaccine, it’s important to monitor your response to the vaccine to make sure that you are not having an allergic reaction.
Though allergic reactions are rare they occur in an estimated 1.3 of every 1 million vaccinations they can be serious.
Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction to a flu vaccine include:
- Trouble breathing
- Fast heartbeat
- Dizziness
According to McNeil, these symptoms usually occur “within a few minutes to a few hours after receiving the shot and they require immediate medical evaluation and treatment.”
The flu shot, like all vaccines, contains several components that can cause an allergic reaction. Most allergic reactions are caused by an allergy to egg protein, gelatin, or other additives in the vaccine. While the flu shot contains trace amounts of egg, research has shown that most people with mild egg allergies can receive influenza vaccines.
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Add A Comment126 Comments
I am the one who shared my experience of taking the flu shot on 8th Nov 2019. I’m back here to write what has happened since then. I went to the GP many times for the muscle aches, recurring UTI and many other problems but i got no good solution. All i could understand by my symptoms was that my nervous system and my muscles had avery bad impact of the Flu shot. I was also low on Vitamin D and Vitamin B12 and that i think might have aggravated the issue. I finally decided to take supplements and immediately switched to Homeopathy. My homeopathic doctor told me that my body is reacting to the toxins of the flu shot so i will take 3 months to recover completely. I started taking homeopathic meds and within one week i started getting relief and its been 15 days now I’m almost completely recovered. I also took one massage session also to relax my aching mucles. My advice to anyone facing the same issue please switch to Naturopathy and if possible avoid taking allopathic pain killers.
This Years Flu Jab And The Covid
The COVID-19 vaccinations and the flu vaccines have very similar side effects, although the flu vaccine rarely causes nausea. The Government are still to announce whether flu and COVID-19 vaccines will be given together to help boost protection.
If youre worried about the side effects of each vaccine, see below for the most common side effects. You can also speak to one of our pharmacy team when you get your flu jab.
| Vaccination |
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You Have A Painful Dry Cough
The one common symptom you should really look out for to determine if you have the coronavirus is a dry cough. That’s because, according to Poston, the back pain one experiences during COVID is usually a result of their cough.
“Coughing can cause rib and diaphragm pain, which frequently radiates to the back,” she explains. And for more on your cough, This Is How to Tell If Your Cough Is COVID, Doctors Say.
What’s Flu Activity Like This Season
Currently, flu activity remains low in most of the U.S. As of Oct. 2, 2021, all states were reporting minimal or low flu activity except for Mississippi, which reported moderate flu activity, according to the CDC.
But that could change soon after the country experienced historically low levels of flu during the 2020-2021 season , several studies have predicted that the flu could come roaring back this fall and winter, Live Science previously reported.
That’s because the U.S. population “missed the opportunity to establish or boost their immunity ” last season, which raises the concern that the flu could make a comeback as preventive measures for COVID-19 are lifted, according to the authors of a recent study on predicting flu activity, posted Aug. 30 to the preprint database medrXiv.
Even if flu activity is currently low in your community, you shouldn’t wait to get your flu shot. Flu activity could begin to increase at any time, and it takes about two weeks for people to develop antibodies against flu viruses after receiving their shot, the CDC says.
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Myth #: The Flu Vaccine Isn’t Safe For Pregnant Women
Studies show flu vaccines are safe for women in any stage of pregnancy, the CDC says. There are several reasons why it’s important for pregnant women to get a flu shot, Schaffner said.
“Pregnant women, when they get influenza, have a tendency to get a more severe disease,” and are at increased risk for complications and hospitalization from the disease, Schaffner said.
In addition, flu vaccination in pregnancy helps to protect the baby against flu during the first six months of life, when the baby is too young to receive a flu shot, Schaffner said. The mother “passes that protection on to her newborn baby,” Schaffner said.
Use A Vaporizer Or Humidifier
Dry air can increase your risk of catching flu-like pathogens or make your flu symptoms worse. When a flu virus enters your respiratory tract, it gets caught in mucus, which helps prevent infection from spreading. However, when the air is cold and dry, mucus dries up in your airways, making it more difficult for your body to fend the virus off.
Maintaining a relative humidity of 40-60% can reduce the spread of transmission through your home and relieve respiratory symptoms, such as cough and nasal congestion. It can also help fast-track your healing by reducing pain and inflammation in your throat and helping you sleep better.
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Your Back Pain Doesn’t Radiate Down Your Leg
If all you have is back pain, it’s unlikely to be the coronavirus or pneumonia. Back pain can arise from a series of non-virus related causes, such as a slipped disc, muscle strain, ligament strains, arthritis, and trauma, Poston says.
Henaku Yirenkyi, MD, an orthopedic spine surgeon with World Spine and Orthopedics, says that back pain from these other conditions often leads to a “radiation of pain into the lower extremities.” However, he says that back pain from COVID won’t radiate down your leg. And if you are experiencing back pain, check out these Easy Ways to Beat Back Pain Every Day.
Can The Flu Vaccine Make You Sick
Lets just clear this up now: You cant get the flu from the flu vaccine, Dr. Adalja says. Seriously, this is not a thing that is even remotely possible.
However, in very rare cases, a flu vaccine can cause issues in people with pre-existing medical circumstances. The flu vaccine is safe for most people, but if you have any allergies, like to egg proteins or any other ingredients that could be in the vaccine, such as gelatin, its important to speak with your doctor or pharmacist before getting inoculated. Those with an egg allergy can get the flu vaccine, but need to discuss with their doctor which specific vaccine is right for them, Dr. Agarwal says.
Overall, the CDC recommends speaking to a health care professional prior to getting a flu vaccine if you meet any of the following criteria:
- Youre allergic to eggs or any other potential vaccine ingredients, such as gelatin.
- Youve ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome .
- Youre not feeling well.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Sirvaand How Is It Treated
While dull muscle ache pain after a vaccine injection is common, it usually disappears on its own with days. With SIRVA, on the other hand, an individual will usually start feeling pain within 48 hours of the vaccination, and doesnt improve.
“In patients who experience SIRVA, months may pass by, and patients will still complain of increasing pain, weakness, and impaired mobility in the injected arm. Simple actions like lifting your arm to brush your teeth can cause pain,” said Kelly Grindrod, a professor in the School of Pharmacy at Waterloo and one of the authors of the 2018 study.
People experiencing these symptoms should talk to their doctor. “It’s important that we learn to recognize these signs of SIRVA so that we can access appropriate treatment,” Grindrod points out.
In order to diagnose SIRVA, an ultrasound scan is needed, which can also determine the level and type of damage. Inflammation reducing oral medications and corticosteroid injections to the shoulder are common treatments for SIRVA, and additionally, physiotherapy may be recommended.
Who Needs An Annual Flu Shot
Short answer: You do. The CDC says everyone 6 months of age and older needs an annual flu shot, and young children might need two doses. Typically, immunity kicks in about two weeks after your vaccination, and even if you come in contact with a different strain of the flu, your vaccine may still provide some important protection.
At Healthy Life Family Medicine, we offer the most up-to-date flu shots,a s well as other vaccines you might need to stay healthy. If youd like to learn more about this years flu shot, or if youd like to schedule a vaccine to help keep the flu at bay, call our office at 623-232-9194 and schedule a visit today.
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Common Side Effects Of The Flu Shot
Some of the most common side effects of the flu vaccine include:
- Soreness, redness, a small rash, or swelling at the site of injection
- Headache
- Mild fever
- Nausea or stomach pain
Side effects typically begin shortly after injection and should only last a few days, according to the CDC.
“Headache, fever, and sore muscles are not a sign of allergic reactions,” says Michael McNeil, MD MPH, Team Lead for Vaccine Safety Datalink at the CDC’s Immunization Safety Office. “These reactions can occur as a result of the patient’s immune system responding to a vaccine.”
Most of these side effects are unavoidable, but to avoid arm soreness, try taking ibuprofen two hours before you receive your vaccination.
Important: While some people believe you can catch influenza from the flu shot, this is not true, since the flu vaccine does not contain any active viral particles.
Is It Too Late To Get The Flu Vaccine For The 2021
The CDC recommends getting vaccinated early in the seasonideally by the end of October.
But its not too late to get a flu vaccine this year: Physicians say now is still a good time to get one. Flu cases typically rise in February and can continue into May. And since it takes about two weeks to build strong immunity post-vaccine, the sooner you get inoculated the better.
Keep in mind: Since getting a flu vaccine is not a guarantee that you wont get the flu, its important to continue to follow other public health best practices.
Everyone still needs to be mindful of things such as avoiding close contact with people who are sick, covering your nose and mouth when you sneezepreferably with a tissue, so it can be discarded afterwardand using good hand hygiene, such as washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rubs, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth when possible, Lee Nguyen, Pharm.D., associate clinical professor for the department of clinical pharmacy practice at the University of California-Irvine, tells SELF.
If youre interested in getting a flu vaccine, you can get one through your primary care physician if you have one, or another health care professional, as well as through many pharmacies and public health departments. Sometimes, flu vaccination clinics are set up in workplaces or other frequently visited locations within a community.
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