Flu jab - your experiences.

[tiggy2610]

I have a heart condition so have had my flu jab every year for as long as I can remember, so my 'pregnancy' jab wasn't my first. I am used to having a sore arm and a bit of a runny nose for a few days afterwards but nothing much to report, but this time around it's completely knocked me for six!

Went in Saturday morning had the injection and felt fine all day apart from a slightly bruised arm. Sunday I felt fine but started with a scratchy throat in the evening, yesterday I was OK just takin paracetamol for head aches but this morning BAM, I'm laid in bed home from work with no voice and shivers.

I rarely take sick days at work which has proved to DH that I'm not just trying to get the sympathy vote. I also know that the flu jab contains no live strains of the virus and shouldnt cause this kind of reaction at all. So my question is; have I just fallen unlucky and my pregnancy body is reacting differently to normal and I'll recover in a day or so OR have I been unlucky enough to pick up something else which has just coincidently kicked in around this time?

I spoke with a GP friend yesterday and they admitted it could be due to flu jab as they've known others suffer similar side effects, yet my 28 weeks pregnant colleague who had hers is as wonderful and glowing as ever!!

What are your experiences?

(P.s I don't want this to turn into a 'flu jab vs no flu jab debate...)

I had it yesterday and, so far, feel absolutely the same as normal (I'm 38+3)
In the past when I have had it, it has made me feel a bit poorly for a few days. I'd say at least it's an indication that your body is fighting the infection so you're more likely to have good antibodies than if you don't notice it at all?

Hmmm..as you say, the flu jab has a weakened/deactivated form of the flu virus, so it is possible for it to cause 'mild' flu-like reactions. Maybe it is a sign of just how badly you would have been sick if you had got full-on flu, if this is only the mild version!
My flu jab is tomorrow, fingers crossed!

I had it and the night following it I was shivery and had a temperature. The next morning felt a bit bleurgh but was OK to go to work, took some paracetamol and then felt fine. I was warned by the nurse that it may give me some 'mild flu symptoms' so I'm not sure about the 'shouldn't cause this kind of reaction at all'. But I didn't get to read up about it beforehand - I went for the whooping cough vaccine and the nurse said, ooh we've got the flu vaccs in this morning, do you want one?!

I asked my gp about it at 32 wk check last week. She said you might get a slight fever for a couple of days as a side effect, but nothing more.

I am used to feeling a bit 'off' for a few days but have never had to take a day off work to recover, which is wheat I meant by "...shouldn't cause this kind of reaction". I'm starting to think I've managed to pick up a cold on top of the flu virus which is why it's knocked me sideways.