Has anyone got really ill days after the flu jab?

[Bettyhatesavocados]

Aged 65+, two days after flu jab = onset of sinus pain, worsening of usual arthritic pain, aches, nausea, total loss of appetite, fatigue. Diarrhoea lasting two days but stopped, sinuses calmer but still zapped and no appetite at all. Cough last day or two but not persistent. Drinking but barely eating. Not improving.
Anyone had anything like this after the flu jab?
Thanks

[JMAngel1]

Every time within 48 hours of the flu jab, I get flu lime symotoms.
It is why for the last 4 years, I refuse to have it as I can't voluntarily put myself in that state (can't afford the time wasted).

[Bettyhatesavocados]

Thanks JMAngel1. Would you mind saying how your flu symptoms lasted? Thanks.

[Fluffycloudland77]

No and I’ve had it every year for about 5 years.

It’s a dead virus so can’t infect.

[AlexaShutUp]

No, no symptoms since I had mine last week, but the woman who gave me the jab did say that symptoms might occur any time up to 14 days later.

Hope you feel better soon.

[Bettyhatesavocados]

Thanks Fluffycloudland77. Hmmm, I've heard people can react - not sure of the mechanism - but it's usually that day or the day after the jab, not days after with such horrible symptoms for so long.

[Bettyhatesavocados]

Wow, AlexaShutUp, that's crazy. I've not been able to find anything like that on the web (it all says you can get symptoms that day or the day after but they're short-lived) so asked here. Thanks.

[Plussizejumpsuit]

No I was fine. My arm didn't even hurt. But last year which was the first year I had it I did yet a bit poorly. I'm 35 though so perhaps age makes a difference?

[Bettyhatesavocados]

Thanks, Plussizejumpsuit. Yes, maybe age... It's interesting getting these different perspectives / experiences.

[Pinkshrimp]

Diarrhoea & sinus pain isn’t a usual side effect so it’s possible you were already coming down with something. It takes up to two weeks for your immunity to kick in so it’s still possible to get flu for a couple of weeks.



Flu vaccine side effects

Flu vaccines are very safe. Most side effects are mild and only last for a day or so, such as:

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
Try these tips to help reduce the discomfort:

continue to move your arm regularly
take a painkiller, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen – some people, including those who are pregnant, should not take ibuprofen unless a doctor recommends it

www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/

[Hoctober]

I had a jab on the Saturday and was absolutely fine until the following Friday when my arm went really sore

Was fine again by Monday.

[adagio]

Last year I got a bug just after which in hindsight had all the symptoms of COVID 😂. (This was early December so before COVID officially existed in uk)

Ended up on high dose prednisolone (sp?) steroids for 5 days plus inhalers to try and help me breath, took about a month or more to get better from it. I assumed it was a coincidence rather than caused by the jab.

[McWeedie]

I have the flu jab every year, never a problem.

This year a very different story.

Within a day or so, awful sinus pain, headache and cough which developed into a chest infection and loss of appetite. I've had a week of antibiotics and still feel crappy!

[Fluffycloudland77]

I’m a hcp so we have a lots vaccinations and 5he only time I’ve reacted was a hep b booster given at the same time as diphtheria/polio/ something else booster and they aren’t meant to be given with hep b and I felt very poorly for a few days.

However, we give flu jabs at the same time people are getting colds or other infections and it’s possible to be incubating your next cold when they give you a flu jab. There’s a lot of myths around flu jabs you don’t get with other jabs.

You never hear anyone complain the Japanese encephalitis jab gave them Japanese end encephalitis do you?.

[DonaldTrumpsChopper]

I read something a couple of years ago that said that the vaccine obviously works by encouraging your body to react and produce antibodies.

If you are already fighting an infection or virus, your immune system is already on alert (which is what your symptoms are).

If you introduce a vaccine on top, your body is producing two lots of antibodies. You may therefore take longer to fight off the other virus/infection. Hence you feel ill, even if you didn't before.

No idea if that is scientifically correct, but my pharmacist always advises me to have mine before my first autumn cold kicks in (asthmatic, so get a lot of colds this time of year), for this reason.

Might be rubbish though, so don't quote me on it!

[Bettyhatesavocados]

Can't reply individually but thanks to everyone and Fluffycloundland77 for the professional insight.
I appreciate all the comments and advice.

[madcatladyforever]

It sends my mother round the bend every single year, I dread it. She's in her 80's, It doesn't affect me or the rest of the family at all.

[winterisstillcoming]

Happens to me. I put it down to my immune system being over sensitive and actually acting as if I have flu.

The children's flu vaccine letter says to watch for fever and other symptoms so I reckon it can happen.

[Newjez]

Sometimes you can get a mild reaction. This will be your body preparing a response to the vaccine. I didn't get much this year.

You can also get an allergic reaction to the vaccine. I would have thought that less likely if you have had it before. But call 111 if you are concerned.

[HandfulofDust]

It might just be a total coincidence. Understably people tend to assume any physical problem they have around vaccination time is due to the vaccine. Hope you feel better soon.

[Duckswaddle]

I had mine today at work and my arm is so sore! Usually have a bit of an achy arm but nothing more.

[FrancoBranco]

Yes, I get this most times I have had the flu vaccine; I'm having it next week and dreading it a bit. Usually I feel exhausted, nauseous and ill for a couple of days afterwards. I still get it though because I have an underlying health condition and getting the flu would be much, much worse.

Hope you feel better soon!

[KenDodd]

My husband is feeling a bit rough after his. Not as bad as you though. I had one, I feel fine.

[rosy71]

I've only had the flu jab once - 7 years ago. A week later, I became ill with a virus. High temp, hot and cold, cough & my heart rate went so high I had to be admitted to hospital. I was off work for 10 days and had a cough & no appetite for a further 2 weeks. I've never had it since. I'm not sure what to do this year with covid 19 around as well as flu.

[DonttouchthatLarry]

@adagio

Last year I got a bug just after which in hindsight had all the symptoms of COVID 😂. (This was early December so before COVID officially existed in uk)

Ended up on high dose prednisolone (sp?) steroids for 5 days plus inhalers to try and help me breath, took about a month or more to get better from it. I assumed it was a coincidence rather than caused by the jab.

Same here! Had my flu jab in December and was ill from the following day, worst cough I've ever had, complete lack of energy, tight chested and difficulty breathing - lasted over 3 weeks, never felt so drained.

My personal conspiracy theory is the flu jabs were contaminated

[PlugUgly1980]

@winterisstillcoming - the children's nasal spray does contain a small amount of live vaccine unlike the injection, so it can cause mild flu like symptoms and trigger viral reactions such as wheeziness.