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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to think the blasted Flu Jab is more trouble than its worth

119 replies

Oldsu · 28/09/2021 01:28

Had mine Sunday very early so went and had a full English breakfast, a lovely walk by the sea, a scenic bus ride and then a strawberry ice cream sundae I was just thinking life doesn't get any better than this and WHAM my legs went from under me, by the time I got home I was very ill, hot and cold shivers, headache, total fatigue the lot I was in bed by 7pm, still feel ill today and my bloody arm STILL hurts, DH had his at the same time and was fine . The thing is I have never actually had flu not until they inoculated me against it, luckily it didn't include the covid booster I have got that to look forward to

OP posts:

knittingaddict · 28/09/2021 08:02

I had mine last Wednesday. Not even thought about it since. Not a twinge or any signs of illness and spent the whole weekend clearing out the shed and helping to build new storage.

DingleyDel · 28/09/2021 08:02

@Banani

Extremely unlikely that the flu jab caused that, especially that quickly. You’ve got some other virus (may or may not be flu) that happens to have coincided with getting the flu jab.

I think it’s this. One year my dm insisted the jab made her ill for a week. She was in bed with what felt like flu. I’m sure it was coincidence as she had it the next year with issues.

knittingaddict · 28/09/2021 08:04

I really hope this isn't the start of an attempt to discredit the flu jab now.

Fetchthevet · 28/09/2021 08:07

@DifficultBloodyWoman

I’ve had the flu. I prefer the vaccine.

Exactly

LindaEllen · 28/09/2021 08:15

@Oldsu

Well if it isn't flu its doing a good imitation of it

Do you realise what flu is? The symptoms you get of any virus are just your immune system trying to deal with the virus and get rid of it. So the presence of virus kicks your immune system into overdrive. The vaccine does exactly the same - so sometimes you get a strong immune response, but no virus. It's doing its job. It's supposed to encourage an immune response, but there is no virus present.

FWIW I had similar thoughts about my covid jab. I've had covid and could have (if I was allowed!) carried on with life as normal. The vaccine on the other hand knocked me for six for three days, I could hardly get out of bed, and I'm not one for taking to my bed at all. But I know how important it is that people get it.

00100001 · 28/09/2021 08:19

Better to feel crap for a fee days than DOE FROM A DEADLY VIRUS.

This reeks of anti vaxx...shame on you

YouMeandtheSpew · 28/09/2021 08:26

I’ve only had actual flu once (as opposed to the sort of bad cold that people refer to as flu). It was honestly one of the worst things that has ever happened to me, it really is horrific. And I was fairly young and fit at the time.

Clocktopus · 28/09/2021 08:28

Well if it isn't flu its doing a good imitation of it

It's an immune response. They can make you feel pretty shit for a day or two but its a common side effect of being vaccinated. It means your immune system is doing what it's supposed to do.

Flu isn't always debilitating and there is a lot of overlap between a mild case of flu and a really bad cold however it can be serious and that seriousness can be to the point of death. If you'd rather not gamble on how severe a case you will get and would like to increase your chances of a mild case or no case at all, then get vaccinated.

Letsallscreamatthesistene · 28/09/2021 08:33

How long until people understand that the flu vaccine that adults get isnt live?

kitkatsky · 28/09/2021 08:40

Well it's not a live vaccine so it can't have given you much other than a sore arm. That doesn't mean you didn't already have flu or a bad cold brewing though

MadeOfStarStuff · 28/09/2021 08:40

YABU

You didn’t catch flu from the vaccine, that’s medically impossible.

You were most likely coming down with something before the jab.

WiseUpJanetWeiss · 28/09/2021 08:42

@Banani

Extremely unlikely that the flu jab caused that, especially that quickly. You’ve got some other virus (may or may not be flu) that happens to have coincided with getting the flu jab.

No. It’s quite likely that the reaction is to the flu jab. It’s the immune system doing its thing. I always have some kind of reaction, and my reaction to both Covid vaccines was similar.

I am very pleased to hear that I’ll be getting my flu jab and Covid booster within the next month or two. I’m expecting to feel bad for a day or so but then I’ll have good protection through the winter.

FourteenSixteenTwentyTwo · 28/09/2021 08:49

Every year people say the flu jab gives them the flu but it’s strictly not true. Bear in mind that it takes about two weeks to give you protection so it’s equally possible you can catch the flu just before/ after you have your jab. Plus there’s always the possibility of the strains in the jab being wrong.

Most vaccines can have side effects including soreness, swelling and low grade fever though. It should usually only last a couple of days.

I’m not sure how you can be so sure you haven’t picked up any other virus and it’s 100% the vaccine though.

godmum56 · 28/09/2021 08:53

i sometimes react badly to the flu jab and have also had real flu twice. Believe me the reaction that I sometimes get and that you had is a walk in the park on a sunny day compared to real flu.

FourteenSixteenTwentyTwo · 28/09/2021 08:53

And as someone who is fit and healthy, the flu was one of the worst viruses I’ve ever had. I was so ill I lost a stone in one week and was fatigued for about three weeks afterwards. I never want to feel like that again.

AnnaMagnani · 28/09/2021 08:56

If you have had flu you would prefer the vaccine.

I have the vaccine every year, most years it's nothing but a sore arm, some years it's a bit worse.

Some years it doesn't stop you getting the flu.

However the flu is a bastarding horrible evil experience of hell.

The flu jab lottery is worth it for the minor inconvenience and stopping you getting the flu quite as often.

godmum56 · 28/09/2021 08:57

@kitkatsky

Well it's not a live vaccine so it can't have given you much other than a sore arm. That doesn't mean you didn't already have flu or a bad cold brewing though

actually it can. It can't give you flu (or anything else) but it can and does give an unpleasant reaction. The first year I had the adjuvanted vaccine, I was in bed with it for 3 days and shakey for about 3 more. it didn't stop me getting the jab the following year though. As I have said elsewhere, its a walk in the park compared to actually having flu.

godmum56 · 28/09/2021 08:58

@AnnaMagnani

If you have had flu you would prefer the vaccine.

I have the vaccine every year, most years it's nothing but a sore arm, some years it's a bit worse.

Some years it doesn't stop you getting the flu.

However the flu is a bastarding horrible evil experience of hell.

The flu jab lottery is worth it for the minor inconvenience and stopping you getting the flu quite as often.

However the flu is a bastarding horrible evil experience of hell.

^^ this absolutely

Zilla1 · 28/09/2021 09:07

There is a clinical tool I've just remembered. If you are using MN and have posted a new thread about having flu from the vaccination you had on Sunday then ................. .... no, not symptomatic, proper 'flu. Possibly a mild virus that was brewing and timing is a coincidence. Reactogenicity to the antigen and/or adjuvants depending on the symptoms and timing of onset.

thelastgoldeneagle · 28/09/2021 09:09

The flu vaccine doesn't contain any live flu vaccine so can't give you flu!! 🙄

You may have had a reaction to the vaccine, or it may have been something else entirely.

I had my flu vaccine two weeks ago, no reaction at all.

greyinganddecaying · 28/09/2021 11:05

I often feel like crap after vaccinations (including 'flu, covid). But I'd much rather have the vaccines than the viruses.

Livpool · 28/09/2021 11:09

I've had it for years due to asthma and the only side effect I have had is a sore arm for a day or so

purplecorkheart · 28/09/2021 11:16

Had my flu vaccine last Friday with no side at all. I have had it a number of times and the only side affect I had was a very slight sore arm for a day. one of the times. I had the flu once and trust me would never want it again.

To be honest I would be going for a COVID test.

pointythings · 28/09/2021 11:28

It's telling that you've never had flu. If you had, you wouldn't be complaining about the jab. Real flu wipes you out for weeks and carries the risk of complications. A few days of feeling rough post jab is nothing.

YANBU about the full English though - next time, just pair it with some paracetamol and follow it up with a rest day.

Blueberrycreampie · 28/09/2021 11:33

Had mine 10 days ago at my local gps' surgery. I did feel it a bit but thankfully no after effects apart from a very slightly tender arm.

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