I had the flu shot about 3 months ago...now I may have the flu.?

Question

I am confused,upset, and sick..
I am awaiting the results of my blood work, but I have
severe headaches,
body aches,
chills, fever,
coughing,
stuffy nose,
fatigue,
trouble sleeping longer than 2-3 hours,
my eyes hurt to even move them from let to right.

The doctor feels strongly that the flu is what I have.

With that being said, what is the benefit of having a flu shot in the first place?

Sorry to ramble. it's the insomnia.

Answer 1

The CDC has to 'guess' what flu virus strains will be most common each year. The flu vaccine covers these virus strains for that year based on the 'guess. So it sounds like you came in contact with a strain that was not in this years vaccine or the strain mutated and is immune to the formula of vaccine you received. It happens.

It is still better to get the shot rather than not. Because some defense is better than no defense. There are medications to help shorten the life of the flu (they are prescription) if taken within a short time of getting ill with the flu. If your still in the window of 12-48 hours. I would get your doctor to prescribe one of these medications
Oseltamivir (Tamiflu®)
Zanamivir (Relenza®)
Amantadine (Symmetrel®)
Rimantadine (Flumadine®)

There is more information on flu at the below link including a symptom checker.
http://www.flufacts.com/

You should also consider taking some over the counter medication for flu to ease your symptoms so you can get some rest and feel better.

Hope you get some relief soon!

Answer 2

Vaccine Effectiveness
The ability of flu vaccine to protect a person depends on the age and health status of the person getting the vaccine, and the similarity or "match" between the virus strains in the vaccine and those in circulation. Testing has shown that both the flu shot and the nasal-spray vaccine are effective at preventing the flu.

Vaccine Side Effects (What to Expect)
Different side effects can be associated with the flu shot and LAIV.

The flu shot: The viruses in the flu shot are killed (inactivated), so you cannot get the flu from a flu shot. Some minor side effects that could occur are

Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
Fever (low grade)
Aches

Answer 3

There are hundreds of strains of flu virus out there. The shot given is a mixture of vaccines for four or five of the strains that the predictors believe will be the most common. A couple of years ago they were terribly wrong and a fairly high number of people died from the flu. I don't take the flu shot at this point in my life. My body is healthy enough to fight off what I get naturally. I may miss a few days of work, but I catch up on day-time TV :)

Answer 4

You are probably catching a strand of the flu the flu shot did not cover..It seems the flu has been going around. Flu symptoms all include: getting sick quickly with fever (usually over 101), aches, chills and very tired and weak.. Also the stuffy runny nose, sore throat and or dry couch and of course sometimes the vomiting and diarrhea. You should start taking some Tylenol and maybe take something for your stuffy nose I have heard a cool mist humidifer is good for a stuffy nose. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids.

Answer 5

There really is no point. The Flu vaccine only protects you from maybe 4 strains of the flu, the ones that the CDC decides are the most likely to appear in America and affect the populace. You were unlucky in this game of roulette and you contracted a strain that wasn't prepared for in the vaccine. So If you ask me its really not worth the money to get the flu vaccine unless you are elderly, suffer from respiratory illness, or are very young.

Answer 6

I am an LVN -and from my expereince many people who get the flu shot have reported getting flu like symptoms AFTER- however- this does not happen to everyone- when you got the shot you should have recieved a paper explaining this or someone should have went over this with you- these symptoms will fade- much faster than if you hadn't got the shot. For now just try and treat the symptoms and if this lasts longer than a day or two- Call your doctor!!!

Answer 7

I never got a flu shot since I was a kid and will only get one when I hit olden age. in between it is a cruel vaccine that for some reason makes anyone between 20 and 50 sick as hell with the flu, it has been going on for a long time now and probably the person who started the joke is long dead while we still lay suffering after getting vaccinated

Answer 8

Nothing in this world is perfect, not even medicine. Most likely what happened is that the strain of flu that you have has mutated to the point that your body does not recognize it as the same thing as what you were vaccinated against.

Or you have something else. That's always possible too.

Answer 9

The flu shot only helps with the viruses the CDC thinks will be coming the next year. Other viruses can cause your flu.

Answer 10

The flu shot doesn't protect you from the flu...it's supposed to minimize the effects if you do contract it. The flu is a virus, there's no cure for viruses (they've been around for millions of years - smart little buggers!!)

I'd skip the flu shot next year...kind of a waste really! I'd focus on who your around and make sure you wash those hands often! Sorry your sick....you should probably go to bed! Nite!