why do people feel sick after getting the flu shot?
does it have something to do with antibodies
2007-01-10 04:50:53 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
That's a good question. The short answer is that feeling a little sick after getting the flu shot is good news - because it means the shot is doing what its supposed to do.
Some people experience muscle aches, low grade fever, fatigue, etc. after receiving the flu shot - these symptoms are the result of your immune system being exposed to the killed virus that is present in the shot - in effect, your immune system, being exposed to a threat (the dead virus), gears up, starts producing antibodies and other immunologically active cells, and you can develop a slight inflammatory reaction that causes the symptoms above.
The flu shot in use in the U.S. does NOT contain any active virus and it is not possible to get infected with influenza from the flu shot. Flu mist, which is also available in the U.S. contains live but weakened flu virus.
The CDC recommends that influenza vaccinations begin in October, just prior to the start of the "flu" season, but if you don't get it early, it can still benefit you to get it later in the season.
Check out the CDC for more information.
2007-01-10 05:05:42 · answer #1 · answered by Wondering 3 · 8⤊ 3⤋
The flu shot vaccinates people against the top three to five flu viruses that are expected to hit the U.S. Don't forget that there are literally thousands of flu bugs out there and once you've had that particular one, you won't get it again as you've built up immunity to it. Problem is, the virus mutates so quickly and there are so many strains, we can't possibly vaccinate against them all.
Anytime you vaccinate, you're injecting a live virus... hence why some people get sick following the injection. Also, for the flu shot to be effective, it really should be on board (in your system) a good 30 days before the flu season.
2007-01-10 13:02:02 · answer #2 · answered by cgspitfire 6 · 3⤊ 6⤋
I got the flu shot last week, and I didn't feel sick. They ask you at the time if you are allergic to milk or egg products, that may be why some people get sick.
2007-01-10 12:55:44 · answer #3 · answered by atlantagal 5 · 1⤊ 8⤋
I got sick after the shot, too. I think it gives you a little bit of the influenza virus.
2007-01-10 12:56:12 · answer #4 · answered by chante 6 · 1⤊ 10⤋
That is a side effect,normal.
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2007.
2007-01-10 12:55:33 · answer #5 · answered by SKG R 6 · 1⤊ 7⤋