Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Anyone else feel rotten after a flu jab?

67 replies

Sparrowlegs248 · 28/09/2018 21:08

I have one every year and have done for a long time. 2 reasons, I work for local government and they like to avoid us being off sick, and I have other health issues.

In the approx 16 years of having it, I have never felt so awful as I do now. Had it Thursday. Had a really sore throat last night which I still have along with swollen glands, bunged up nose, and my head feels like it might implode. I could go to sleep now, which I will shortly. Is it just me or has everyone/others been Affected?

OP posts:
m0therofdragons · 28/09/2018 23:19

I heard they were worried people will be put off but the reason this year's is making people feel side effects is due to it actually being very effective, more so than previous years. Hope it passes quickly! I'm waiting to have mine after my holiday and before a weekend.

3catsandcounting · 28/09/2018 23:34

I had a flu jab on Monday, been feeling worse every day since; today arm is sore, everything aches but more surprisingly I've cried on and off since lunchtime. Very emotional.

Stupomax · 29/09/2018 01:32

Had a really sore throat last night which I still have along with swollen glands, bunged up nose, and my head feels like it might implode

DS feels like this today too.

Hasn't had the flu shot or anything. He's just got a cold.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
FoldyRoll · 29/09/2018 01:44

Had mine the day before latest round of chemotherapy and no noticeable ill effects. I heard that if you shake your arm as soon as you have the shot it avoids getting sore and itchy at the injection site. Yes, I looked like a tool windmilling my left arm like a fast bowler as I walked down the high street, but it worked!

Original poster
Sparrowlegs248 · 29/09/2018 02:34

My arm is fine, tiny bit sore but I can sleep on that side so not bad.

It's definitely preferable to full on flu but feel so much worse than just a cold. Of course I've had an early night a d am wide awake now with nose and throat antics.

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 29/09/2018 06:58

I think it's just the immune system making the antibodies, I feel low when I have Hep B boosters.

At the moment colds and chest infections are already in full flow so a lot of people will already be incubating viruses when the vaccine goes in.

Enervator · 29/09/2018 07:07

Vaccines are designed to provoke your immune system so not surprising people get symptoms. But better than flu and not contagious so of course I'll have it.

StandardPoodle · 29/09/2018 20:04

I had mine on Thursday, arm was a little sore for 48 hours and now today I have a headache and am not hungry. Could be worse!

lljkk · 29/09/2018 21:03

DS had flu jab 2 days ago (for work) & is feeling a bit off (mild fluey / cold symptoms now/still). I agree it's a good sign that the immune system has had a strong reaction.

Ollivander84 · 29/09/2018 21:07

4 days in and my arm is still bloody sore and itchy!

DianaPrincessOfThemyscira · 29/09/2018 21:46

No although a couple of years ago I did have a very sore arm.

TheFuckfaceWhisperer · 29/09/2018 22:00

I was thinking about getting it this year, no health problems but carer to DS who needs me well, I’m wondering whether to bother after reading this! TBF I usually miss flu, even last Christmas when DP had it and was coughing/breathing on me all night I still didn’t catch it so think I might give it a miss...

Ollivander84 · 29/09/2018 22:11

I would still get it. TBH I have virtually no immune system so I was expecting a big reaction and it's been v mild

Stephisaur · 29/09/2018 22:14

Had my first ever flu jab today (pregnant) and it was more straightforward than I thought it would be.

I’ve had a bad throat for a couple of days and woke up with a stuffy nose before I even went! 😂

The only side effect I’ve had so far is drowsiness 😴

Friolero · 29/09/2018 22:19

I had it a couple of weeks ago, and other than a slightly achy arm for a day or two, I felt fine afterwards.

MaureenMLove · 29/09/2018 22:31

My nurse told me it's good to feel a bit rubbish, because it means your immune system is working against it.

I had mine on Wednesday and my arm felt bruised for 24 hours, but nothing else.

gamerwidow · 29/09/2018 22:48

I always have a flu jab and usually get a painful arm for a few days and cold symptoms for up to a week afterwards. I figure it's better than actually getting flu though...

Ladyflop · 30/09/2018 06:41

People have the flu vax so they won't get sick yet so many people get sick from it, kinda crazy when you stop and think about it isn't it?
The masses have been well and truly brainwashed.

Sparklingbrook · 30/09/2018 07:03

Bit of a strange comment Ladyflop. Flu can be life threatening for a lot of people.

A few days of feeling a little unwell due to the jab is nothing compared to flu and it's possible consequences.

Fluffycloudland77 · 30/09/2018 08:20

The virus mutates in the 6 months it takes to make the volume needed so its not perfect. If we could make a supply as it mutates it would be more effective.

But we cant so this is the best we have.

I will be paying to have one.

Ollivander84 · 30/09/2018 08:21

Lady - not really. My bone marrow injection makes me unwell every week. But without it I'm likely to get sepsis Hmm

Original poster
Sparrowlegs248 · 30/09/2018 08:32

I'm not going to not have it, I've had flu and it was horrendous. I have other health issues to so flu is best avoided if possible! Just that in the many years I've had the jab I've never reacted like this.

OP posts:
AliceIdentifiesasaCamel · 30/09/2018 08:38

Had mine at work. Usually feel rotten for a couple of days, but this year I just had a local reaction, sore red hot and itchy stress at the site of injection. One colleague also had this, the other didn't, but she felt rough for a couple of days. Then she came down with a cold which she shared!

I always recommend, flu, real flu not the man/heavy cold kind, is horrid.

MasonJar · 30/09/2018 08:43

Over 65's will get a more effective "adjuvented" flue jab this year.
So the one us youngsters will be getting is less effective Confused.

gamerwidow · 30/09/2018 08:45

People have the flu vax so they won't get sick yet so many people get sick from it, kinda crazy when you stop and think about it isn't it?
The masses have been well and truly brainwashed.
Chemo makes people really sick it’s mad they give it to cancer patients.
Antibiotics give me the shits better not take them either.
Immuni supressents must be really bad for transplant victims too they make it so easy for them to catch other diseases.