Sore arm after flu jab

I don't think anyone is denying that flu is horrible, or suggesting that any after-effects of the jab are reason enough not to get it, are they?

I had both flu and pneumonia jabs 4 werks ago, absolutely no after effects at all, despite the nurse telling me I might have soreness ftom the pneumonia one

I am really puzzled by "pneumonia" in the arm!

Well said, ania123.

Real flu, as opposed to a heavy cold, is horrendous. It used to be said that, if there is a £20 note outside in the garden, if you can go and pick it up, you don’t have flu. (I expect, due to inflation, it should be a £50 or £100 note these days). I would rather have most of the side effects mentioned than a dose I’d flu.

They say if it swells and hurt , then it's working .

This is interesting because this year two weeks on from my flu jab I ended up calling 111 as kept getting intermittent shoulder and left arm pain.Quite severe at times.Then the other day as well as arm pain felt the lower part of my face was numb and tingling.I ended up at A&E on the advice of my GP and a scan and ECG were done to rule out a heart problem or ischaemic event.I am pretty fit for my age and very low risk for both.Fortunately both were normal and I was sent home with aspirin as a precaution.It has only just occurred to me it could be related to the flu jab ,and I wonder if it's been nerve pain ?It does seem to be settling.Still glad I had the jab,but each year my arm feels a bit sore but thus has been something else.

The nurse who did mine warned me that there could be side effects, so they are well known.

She also asked if I had an allergy to either eggs or latex, so maybe a component of one of those is the culprit.

BlueBelle

I Ve never have any reaction at all in 7 years
I had mine last Saturday and never even felt the needle go in
I didn’t have any reactions to the shingles or pneumonia jabs either when I had them a few years back

You can’t get flu from the injection as it s not a live vaccine I wonder what component it is that some people are so sensitive to ? That’s the interesting question that no one ever seems to ask

I was the same - not the slightest reaction to the shot. I put it down the our pharmacist being hugely skilled. I always used to get cross with people who say they feel like they've got flu after as I know it's not a live vaccine. BUT.. this year my husband got a massive fever about 18 hours after his flu vaccination. He had a slightly different version of it from mine. I wonder if it was a bit of an overload? The fever only lasted about 8 hours - long enough for me to wonder if he'd got Covid, though he'd been careful and the pharmacist had come to our house to do the shot as OH had just had a knee replacement op - and then vanished and he was fine again.

Thank you SR69

My arm hurt for nearly a week and did at first make sleeping a bit uncomfortable, yet Mr Barmey sailed through his with no side effects. I think we are all different.

It is normal for any injection site to be a bit tender for a few days but if you relax the arm before the needle goes in it is often less painful.
My husband has had flu four times, the first when only in his 20’s. It is horrendous. In bed for over a week, too weak to eat, he said that even his eyeballs ached. It took a good month for him to recover fully. A few days of mild discomfort far outweighs the effects of full blown flu.

Short term pain for long term gain.

It’s not unusual. Try taking a painkiller, which should help reduce inflammation, and therefore the pain

Ive had one in the past with no problem just a sore arm for a day or so and now I am on immunosuppressants can't have it this year or last year. I was quite miffed. My son had a very sore arm with his and a sore throat for a couple of days. I think everyone seems to react differently. Hope you feel better soon Doodledog.

Yes....a sore arm is the norm... goes away in 2/3 days usually. Well worth it though.

DiggingDoris- if youve a good nurse or pharmacist or dr to do it they tell you it makes it worse to rub it and yes causes it to bruise! And like my pharmacist, explained the extra reason for why mine personally may affect me like that due to warfarin im on.

I’ve had one in Boots last week, my husband has one at the drive through yesterday- neither of us have any discomfort at all. Apologies to those who have, just wanted to encourage others.

The flu jab not so bad after a couple of days- but the pneumonia one hurt like hell for about a wk- BUT i was given it between the muscles rather than into it, as im on warfarin.pharmacist said its so it doesnt risk bleeding.but that it can hurt more.(swings& roundabouts!) Either way im fine now.You could ask about nasal spray if youre afraid of needles i suppose? Its usually reserved for children, but they asked if my 17 yr old wanted it so they must be as strong as jabs- but he doesnt like things like sprays up his nose so opted for a jab, despite disliking needles either.Man up and have it like he did, it might save your life.

My daughter had such a problem with the site where she had a flu jab, for so long and with such pain, she never had another. They thought they might have hit a nerve.
This year mine is still feeling slightly bruised (I had mine on the 26th of last month) but it is significantly better than the early days. Quite honestly though, it is so much better than flu!

My jabs have varied each year. Last year I had swollen, red, hot swollen arm down to my elbow for around 10 days this year absolutely painless and no swelling at all. Feel better soon.

I should have had my flu jab two weeks ago but was full of a cold so it wasn't wise to have it. I'll go next week snd hope it is still available. I checked my records through the surgery web site. I've been having the flu jab for 30 years and never had a reaction despite being diabetic for 65 years.

Yes it can hurt for a while.

I've never had one,despite always being asked,I just say no.I feel I should have one this year,but I'm a bit concerned now,reading of peoples experiences

Had mine last week and neither DH or I had any nasty after affects at all and actually never have all the years we’ve been having it.

No sore arm for me. Hubby didn't even feel the needle and questions whether they actually did it. He was so ill one year that this is his first jab for ages.