Taking Paracetamol After A Flu Jab
Paracetamol is not routinely recommended for use to control fever after the flu jab is given. However, it can be administered if the side effects are causing too much discomfort
Theres some evidence that the immune response can be affected by paracetamol, but theres no evidence that this causes people to be less well protected from disease.
Special Consideration Regarding Egg Allergy
People with egg allergies can receive any licensed, recommended age-appropriate influenza vaccine that is otherwise appropriate. People who have a history of severe egg allergy should be vaccinated in a medical setting, supervised by a health care provider who is able to recognize and manage severe allergic reactions. Two completely egg-free flu vaccine options are available: quadrivalent recombinant vaccine and quadrivalent cell-based vaccine.
Can You Prevent Arm Pain Before Your Flu Vaccine
There aren’t really any good hacks to lower your risk of arm pain ahead of time, Jamie Alan, PhD, associate professor of pharmacology at Michigan State University, told Health. “You can pre-medicate with something like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, but there is some evidence that taking these medications may make vaccinations less effective,” Alan said.
Additionally, you could use the information for the COVID-19 vaccine to guide your decisions for the flu vaccine. In listing out considerations to take before getting your COVID-19 vaccine, the CDC says it’s “not recommended” to take over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen before you get the vaccine to prevent side effects. “It is not known how these medications might affect how well the vaccine works,” the CDC states.
Therefore, without a ton of conclusive evidence on how, if, or why pain relievers may impact vaccine effectiveness, you’ll probably want to err on the side of caution and skip them before your shot .
Alan said it’s also a good idea to relax your arm “as much as possible” before your shot to keep your muscles from tensing and prevent the needle from having to work a little harder to get in there.
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Allergic Reactions To The Flu Vaccine
It’s very rare for anyone to have a serious allergic reaction to the flu vaccine. If this does happen, it usually happens within minutes.
The person who vaccinates you will be trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately.
Anyone can report a suspected side effect of a vaccine through the Yellow Card Scheme.
Flu Vaccine And Coronavirus
Flu vaccination is important because:
- more people are likely to get flu this winter as fewer people will have built up natural immunity to it during the COVID-19 pandemic
- if you get flu and COVID-19 at the same time, research shows you’re more likely to be seriously ill
- getting vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 will provide protection for you and those around you for both these serious illnesses
If you’ve had COVID-19, it’s safe to have the flu vaccine. It will still be effective at helping to prevent flu.
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Symptoms And Treatment Of Sirva
While dull muscle ache pain after a vaccine injection is common, it usually disappears on its own within days. With SIRVA, an individual will usually start feeling pain within 48 hours of the vaccination, and the pain doesn’t improve over time.
“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, PharmD, a professor in the School of Pharmacy at Waterloo and one of the authors of the 2018 study.
According to the 2022 review in Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, the most common symptoms of SIRVA are shoulder pain and reduced range of motion. And the most common diagnoses tend to be shoulder bursitis, adhesive capsulitis , and rotator cuff tears.
People experiencing these symptoms should talk to their healthcare provider. “It’s important that we learn to recognize these signs of SIRVA so that we can access appropriate treatment,” added Grindrod.
To diagnose SIRVA, an ultrasound scan or MRI is needed, which can also determine the level and type of damage, per a 2022 study in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. Common treatments for SIRVA include lifestyle and work modifications, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , and physical therapy.
What Causes Tingling In Your Arm And Hand After A Flu Shot
by Respiratory Therapy Zone | Updated: May 13, 2022
Have you ever gotten a flu shot and then had your arm or hand go numb or develop a tingling sensation? Its actually a pretty common side effect of the vaccine.
Most of the time, this feeling is nothing to worry about and will go away on its own within a few hours. However, in rare cases, it can be a sign of a more serious reaction.
In this article, well discuss what causes this tingling sensation and when you should be concerned. So, if youre ready, lets get into it.
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Can Severe Problems Occur
Life-threatening allergic reactions to flu shots are very rare. Signs of serious allergic reaction can include breathing problems, hoarseness or wheezing, hives, paleness, weakness, a fast heartbeat, or dizziness. If they do occur, it is usually within a few minutes to a few hours after receiving the shot. These reactions can occur among persons who are allergic to something that is in the vaccine, such as egg protein or other ingredients. While severe reactions are uncommon, you should let your doctor, nurse, clinic, or pharmacist know if you have a history of allergy or severe reaction to influenza vaccine or any part of flu vaccine.
There is a small possibility that flu vaccine could be associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome, generally no more than 1 or 2 cases per million people vaccinated. This is much lower than the risk of severe complications from flu, which can be prevented by flu vaccine.
Tingling In Arm And Hand After Flu Shot
The tingling sensation you may feel in your arm or hand after getting a flu shot is caused by the vaccine itself.
When the needle enters your muscle, it can cause a brief, sharp pain. This pain is usually followed by a dull ache that can last for a day or two.
The tingling sensation is caused by the vaccines reaction to the nerve endings in your muscle. This is a normal side effect and usually goes away on its own within a few hours.
In rare cases, the tingling may be accompanied by numbness, weakness, or paralysis of the affected arm or hand. This is known as a brachial plexus injury and is often caused by the needle going too deep into the muscle.
A brachial plexus injury is usually temporary and will resolve on its own within a few weeks. However, in rare cases, it can lead to permanent nerve damage.
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It’s Not Just Because You Got The Shot
Korin is a former New Yorker who now lives at the beach. She received a double B.A. in International Relations and Marketing from The College of William & Mary and an M.A. in Interactive Journalism from American University. Korin is a health reporter who has been published in The Washington Post, Prevention, Cosmopolitan, Forbes, Womens Health, and Yahoo, among others. When shes not working, Korin enjoys biking, eating tacos, and trying to keep up with her kids. She can pretty much always be found at the beach.
Getting your annual flu shot is the first and most important step in protecting yourself and your loved ones against an unavoidable flu season. For the most part, that flu shot comes with only minor side effectsfatigue, headache or muscle aches, a mild feverand they’re much more manageable than getting the flu itself.
Another side effect from the flu vaccinearguably the most common oneis pain, swelling, or redness where the shot was given. On the surface, it makes sense: You’ll have arm pain if you get a flu shot in your arm. But is your arm really supposed to be that sore after a tiny needle delivers the vaccine?
Turns out, there’s a little more to that localized arm pain according to experts. Here’s why it tends to happen, and what you can do to lessen the discomfort, both before and after you get the shot.
Flu Vaccine For People With Long
The flu vaccine is offered free on the NHS to anyone with a serious long-term health condition, including:
- a learning disability
- problems with your spleen, for example, sickle cell disease, or if you have had your spleen removed
- a weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or taking medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy
Talk to your doctor if you have a long-term condition that is not in one of these groups. They should offer you the flu vaccine if they think you’re at risk of serious problems if you get flu.
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Why Does It Happen
The symptoms of SIRVA stem from the shot going into the wrong part of your upper arm or due to trauma from the needle. Research suggests that this brings on inflammation, and it could injure body parts inside your shoulder like:
- Ligaments. These tough bands of tissue connect two bones in a joint.
- Tendons. These thick cords connect muscles to bones.
- Bursae. These fluid-filled sacs cushion bones, tendons, and muscles.
Soothe Redness And Inflammation With A Cold Compress And Tylenol
You can also cool the injection site down with a clean washcloth soaked in cold water, according to the CDC.
On Twitter, Dr. Lipi Roy, an internal medicine physician in New York City, suggested an ice pack and over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol or ibuprofen since they reduce inflammation.
Use them after your vaccine appointment, unless your doctor has cleared you to take them before, said Roy.
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How To Avoid A Sore Arm After Your Workplace Flu Shot
Up to 64% of adults and children who receive the flu shot experience pain and/or soreness at the site of the injection, making it the most common side effect of the vaccine. Many patients unpleasantly describe it as feeling like they were “getting punched in the arm,” and we understand that it can be a real discomfort for the one or two days it takes for the soreness to go away. Luckily, there are a few simple steps you can take to reduce or avoid this experience when you attend an on-site flu clinic this year!
We spoke to our Assistant Director of Nursing, Andrea Oster, for her tips and tricks for avoiding arm soreness post-shot:1.) Relax your arm when getting the shot. “It can be hard to do when you’re nervous, but do not tense up,” Andrea says. While you’re sitting, lay your hand flat on your upper leg and relax your shoulder, letting your arm hang until the nurse administers the shot.
2.) Take ibuprofen or Tylenol. A lot of the pain comes from inflammation. Taking a painkiller will do wonders in reducing swelling and assisting with the discomfort.
3.) Use your arm afterwards. “Don’t ‘baby’ it! Work out, write, type and continue your regular routines,” Andrea says. By keeping your arm in motion, you can help the circulation in the injection area return to normal more quickly. If you didn’t use your dominant arm, consider raising it up or moving it in circles to speed along the healing process.
How To Knock Out Flu Shot Pain
While soreness can be unpleasant, its nothing compared to the whole-body pain caused by the flu.
Here are four tips to relieve flu shot pain:
1. Distract Yourself
Take a few deep breaths to clear your mind and relax your body and look away to avoid tensing your muscles . It may help to also chew some gum or suck on a breath mint.
2. Use Pain Reliever
If you are typically pretty sore after your shot, ask your doctor if its safe for you to take acetaminophen or ibuprofen before and/or after the shot.
3. Keep Moving
Growing up, has someone ever told you to just walk it off when you get hurt? While you shouldnt just walk off any injury, there is some truth to this somewhat harsh rationale when it comes to the pain from your flu shot.
Dont baby your arm. Its not an injury. Moving your arm around after the shot will help spread the vaccination away from the injection site and increase blood flow. You may want to consider doing some light exercise after as well.
4. Cool It
Use a cool compress on the injection site to help reduce any swelling and pain. After a few days, you can try a warm compress to relax your muscle and increase blood flow.
Getting your annual flu shot can protect you, your loved ones and those around you from the flu and complications from it. A momentary discomfort is worth the thousands of lives who can be saved. Its one of the easiest ways to contribute to community health.
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How To Avoid A Sore Arm After A Flu Shot
Its flu season, which means many of us are heading to our doctor or local clinic for a flu shot . As we continue to battle COVID-19, flu shots are more important than ever before.
No one wants to be hit with both viruses. The good news is that with one flu shot each fall, you can significantly lower your chances by 40% to 60% of contracting the flu .
But are you one of the few who walks away from your shot feeling like youve been punched in the arm? Not everyone gets a sore arm, but it is common, and the reason actually may surprise you.
Some individuals may develop swelling, a mild, low-grade fever and some moderate pain localized to where they received the shot, said Devin Minior, MD, chief medical officer for Banner Urgent Care. This is a natural response, and it means that your body’s immune system is working to build up a defense against the flu virus.
Before Getting The Vaccine
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How To Treat A Sore Arm After Your Shot
As stated before, if you have a sore arm after your COVID-19 vaccine, it should only last for a few days. But If youre uncomfortable, there are a few things you can do to help:
- Move your arm after your shot. Using your arm and making a point to move it often after youve been vaccinated stimulates blood flow to the area. It can also help reduce soreness, according to Richard Watkins, MD. Dr. Watkins is an infectious disease specialist and a professor of internal medicine at the Northeast Ohio Medical University.
- Try a cool compress. Applying a clean, cool, wet washcloth over the area may help reduce soreness, Valdez says. This may bring down the inflammation, much like when you ice your knees after exercise or injury, she says.
- Continue using your arm. It can be tough if youre uncomfortable, but stretching and continuing to use your arm can help minimize or reduce soreness, Watkins says.
The CDC recommends talking to your doctor about taking over-the-counter medicines, like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin, or antihistamines, for arm soreness and other post-vaccination pain. Do not take these medications if you have any condition that would normally prevent you from taking them.
The Truth About Arm Pain
Pain in the arm is a common side effect of vaccination and is caused by your immune system responding to the vaccine you have received. The pain is usually soreness of the muscle where the injection is given.
When a person receives a shot, a small amount of liquid is injected into the muscle, which basically stretches the muscle fibers, causing some inflammation. This causes pain and discomfort to the injected arm.
It is normal for some vaccine shots to cause more pain than others such as the COVID-19 vaccine and shingles. Overall, symptoms usually last only a few days and are mild, says Cristina Cicogna, M.D. an infectious disease specialist at Hackensack University Medical Center.
Recommended Reading: High Dose Flu Vaccine Guidelines
Should People Who Are Immunocompromised Get A Flu Shot
Another misconception is that individuals with chronic conditions who may be immunocompromised may have a worse reaction to the vaccine because they are more vulnerable. Health officials say this is not so.
When we say that the vaccine is universally recommended for ages 6 months and above, we mean it, says Dr. Conway. The only group that should absolutely not get it again would be somebody with a genuine allergic reaction to the vaccine obviously, they should avoid it.
Older people and people with underlying conditions should really even be higher priority than others to get the flu vaccine, says Dean Winslow, MD, an infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine in California.
The fact is, the flu can be much more disastrous for these high-risk populations.
People with asthma, heart disease, diabetes, and a number of other chronic health conditions are at a higher risk of developing serious flu complications that can result in hospitalization or even death, per the CDC.
Indeed, during recent flu seasons, 9 out of 10 people hospitalized with the flu had at least one underlying health condition, the agency notes.
Being pregnant also puts you at an increased risk of more severe illness from the flu. This is due to changes in the immune system, heart, and lungs that occur during pregnancy .
The flu vaccine offers protection against the flu to both the mother and the baby.