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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that although the flu jab isn't a live jab it can make you feel bloody poorly

100 replies

JustMyLuck84 · 20/09/2017 21:45

Flu jab on fri (12 weeks pregnant). All this week bunged up, achey, sore throat etc.
AIBU to think it's more than coincidence?!

OP posts:
PacificDogwod · 20/09/2017 21:45

No.

dontpokethebear · 20/09/2017 21:46

Immune response.

Original poster
JustMyLuck84 · 20/09/2017 21:48

Meant to say "live virus" not "live jab"! 🙂

OP posts:
AccrualIntentions · 20/09/2017 21:48

You can have side effects e.g. raised temperature and aching muscles afterwards. But it could also be compete coincidence or psychosomatic. Either way, better than getting the flu!

Original poster
JustMyLuck84 · 20/09/2017 21:49

It make sense to me that it would provoke an immune response. It's just the midwife insisted that wasn't possible. Anyway - never mind, I'm hardly dying. Thanks for the replies!

OP posts:
Original poster
JustMyLuck84 · 20/09/2017 21:50

Yes, much better than getting the flu.

OP posts:
opheliacat · 20/09/2017 21:52

I won't have it.

ChuffMuffin · 20/09/2017 21:56

I'm going to have it done this weekend. I'd much rather risk feeling a bit achey and off for a few days than get the flu!

Gramgram · 20/09/2017 21:57

You are having a normal reaction to having the flu jab. Your midwife should know this. Look after yourself, having the jab is not as bad as having flu.

Good luck with the baby.

Sharl2017 · 20/09/2017 21:57

I'm always achy and have a snotty nose like a cold for a few days after but so so much better than getting the flu properly Grin

tiredbutFINE · 20/09/2017 21:58

NHS website says that it can cause slight temperature, aches etc. This year I felt rubbish after it for 2 days, much worse than previous years.

TulipsInAJug · 20/09/2017 21:58

I had the full-blown flu (lasted 2 weeks) after the flu jab. Not coincidence. Never had the flu jab before or since. And never had a flu as bad as that one.

opheliacat · 20/09/2017 21:59

I did too Tulips

I've never actually had the flu before or since!

leccybill · 20/09/2017 22:00

Neither DD 7, DP or I have had the vaccine. None of us have ever had the flu.

poisonedbypen · 20/09/2017 22:00

What a ridiculous thing to say. How do you know it wasn't a coincidence. I've had flu once in my life, just after eating Christmas lunch, so I imagine it's no coincidence, the turkey must have caused it!

timeisnotaline · 20/09/2017 22:00

Did it not come with a sheet listing side effects which are various forms of feeling ill and relatively common? It should. Still worth having it!

doleritedinosaur · 20/09/2017 22:01

I did as well Tulips & it drives me mad that you can't have the flu from
It apparently.
But a few days later I was nearly hospitalised after having the jab I was that ill.

I've refused to have it since & have to stay away from family members who have it.
Not sure what I will do when DS has it though.

opheliacat · 20/09/2017 22:04

Well I am not having it again!

Gramgram · 20/09/2017 22:06

The flu jab does take a couple of weeks to become fully effective. If you get full blown flu immediately after the jab you would have got flu anyway as it was already in your system. Scientists can only do their best regarding which strains of flu will be doing the rounds, the jab is the best protection that you can get based on their findings.

Youcanttaketheskyfromme · 20/09/2017 22:08

Well no. Those side effects are quite normal.
It's not flu though.

Stellato · 20/09/2017 22:09

Flu like symptoms are a fairly common listed side effect of the vaccine.

helly29 · 20/09/2017 22:13

It is most likely your immune response - most of the symptoms you get when you actually have the flu aren't directly caused by the virus, but are your body's response to it. As the vaccine is supposed to stimulate an immune response, you can get some of the symptoms as a side effect.

As pp have said, the vaccine isn't 100% protection, so you can still catch another strain alongside it, but the vaccine can't give you the flu.

IHeartKingThistle · 20/09/2017 22:15

I've had proper flu twice in 2 years. I cannot get it again this year. All the info says the jab cannot give you flu but you lot are scaring me!

Mumsthewordssshhh · 20/09/2017 22:19

@opheliacat I've heard lots mention feeling awful after and I've never opted for the flu jab even though I'm in a higher risk category. I just try to rack up the vitamin c and steer clear of ill people where possible. So far (touch wood) no more than a cold

Dionysus78 · 20/09/2017 22:23

poisoned
Now that you mention it I had flu after eating chilli and watching a documentary about the Beatles. Not sure which of these activities was the culprit.