I had a cold for 10 days, as of yesterday. I was out of town and went to see an internist that a friend recommended. Doc thought that I may also have a sinus infection. He prescribed anti-biotics and gave me a flu shot at the same time. I told him that I'd heard that you can't do that, get a flu shot while sick. He said it was not really true, and that I may feel more sick for a couple of days, but both the anti-biotics for my infection and the flu shot for future flu prevention would be effective, nonetheless. Can anyone, with knowledge to that, confirm or deny?
2006-11-29 21:12:38 · 4 answers · asked by browneyedgirl 6 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
Sinus infections are caused by bacteria, which respond to antibiotics. Colds and the flu are viruses, which are not affected by them. After 10 days your body would have developed antibodies against the cold virus, but not a defense for the flu. The flu vaccine would cause a reaction from your immune system, but the flu virus it contained would not be affected by the antibiotics you were taking for the sinus infection. You would have reasonably been expected to run a slight temperature after the shot, but since you likely already had a slight one from the sinus, it wasn't going to be anything extra for you to notice. No matter what he did, it was going to take at least a full day of antibiotics to begin have any effect on your sinus infection, and 2-3 days for it to really noticable effect on how you felt. So you wouldn't feel any better or worse for a few days no matter what. The flu shot was simply a precaution to help you during this flu season, and good medical practice. He treated the bacterial infection appropriately, and prevented a viral infection in the future, both in one visit. And yes, they would both be equally effective against what they were designed to treat.
2006-11-29 21:26:07 · answer #1 · answered by The mom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sinus Infection After Flu
2016-12-28 06:49:45 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is totally fine to get a flu shot while having the symptoms you do and also being on antibiotics. The only symptom that they may warn against having a flu shot is if you are experiencing a fever. I had one today and I have some sinus issues and am taking a steroid for another condition. It will be okay. The only symptom I am experiencing is my face feels a bit hot...the sinus infection can cause this one. It is probably a good thing that you received you flu shot with the infection you have listed. I see an allergist, do you? If your sinus infections are occurring more than once a year, I would consider it. Good luck...hope you feel better.
2006-11-29 21:30:54 · answer #3 · answered by Jennifer P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your doctor is correct. The flu-vaccine is not a live virus, rather it contains pieces of a killed virus that cannot infect you with the flu (it is impossible). The reason you may feel bad after getting a flu shot is due to your body's reaction to the antigen (pieces of dead flu-bugs). There is no reason that you cannot have a flu shot when you feel ill, although some may want to wait until you feel better simply because the flu-shot may contribute to your ill-feelings.
As far as antibiotics and the flu-shot at the same time- there is no reason that this can't be done.
2006-11-29 21:20:02 · answer #4 · answered by michalakd 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Flu Shot While Sick
2016-10-01 00:20:56 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋