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Allergic response

(15 Posts)
Gagagran Fri 15-Aug-14 10:41:27

On Monday I had a shingles jab at the surgery and the Nurse asked if I'd like to have a pneumonia one in the other arm. She said there may be some slight side effects e.g. feeling under par.

Well I felt awful on Tuesday - shivery and headachey and both my arms were very inflamed and sore. The pneumonia one was/is worst. Yesterday I saw the pharmicist who said he thought I had reacted badly to whatever base the vaccines were in and he gave me cetrizine (anti-histamines) 1-a day. They are a bit better after 2 doses but still red and tender.

My question is whether I should advise the surgery of this? Do they need to report adverse reactions somewhere? Does anyone know?

Elegran Fri 15-Aug-14 10:48:47

Yes, report it. That is the only way that the possible side-effects can be logged. If you suffer in silence it will not be in the statistics. It is worth reporting anyay - it will go on your medical record and hopefully be noticed the next time you need the jab.

ninathenana Fri 15-Aug-14 11:02:44

I agree with Elegran except to say when I had my pneumonia jab I was told it was a one off and would never need repeating.

annsixty Fri 15-Aug-14 11:31:12

I thought it lasted 10 years nina.

vampirequeen Fri 15-Aug-14 12:22:16

Definitely report it. The doctor needs to know about a reaction that needed treatment.

grumppa Fri 15-Aug-14 12:38:05

I was told pneumonia jab was a one-off. Mind you, ten years at my age may come to the same thing.

And if the ageing population is a problem, why does the Treasury sanction these jabs on the NHS anyway?

HollyDaze Fri 15-Aug-14 13:18:33

And if the ageing population is a problem, why does the Treasury sanction these jabs on the NHS anyway?

No doubt cheaper to jab than to treat people with pneumonia.

Charleygirl Fri 15-Aug-14 13:36:14

Definitely report it. I was under the impression that one should have one jab at a time in case there are any allergic reactions.

The pneumonia jab is a one off.

Gagagran Fri 15-Aug-14 14:09:36

I've taken all the advice and reported it to the surgery. If it's not cleared up by Monday I have to go in and see a Dr. Thanks everyone.

janeainsworth Fri 15-Aug-14 14:29:48

Perhaps your tongue was in your cheek Hollydaze, but I doubt if the vaccine is given simply to reduce costs to the NHS.

Although pneumonia is sometimes referred to as the old man's friend, it is a horrible illness. The NHS vaccination programme is something the NHS can rightly be proud of in terms of prevention of suffering.

Lona Fri 15-Aug-14 14:48:31

I think yesterday on the "Good morning" thread, Mick said he'd had a red inflamed arm after his pneumonia jab!
Maybe they got the mix wrong!

Penstemmon Fri 15-Aug-14 14:55:24

I was given the pneumonia jab last year, when I had the flu jab, as a precautionary measure due to underlying health issues. My arm was sore for about 36 hours.

Gagagran Fri 15-Aug-14 15:29:48

It's been 4.5 days now Penstemmon! The shingles jab has eased a lot and the redness has almost gone but the pneumonia one is still a red patch 6 inches wide and 3.5 inches deep. It's not quite as tender though so I am hoping that another day or so will see it back to normal. It really has put me off the 'flu jab though, which I was considering having for the first time this autumn.

Penstemmon Fri 15-Aug-14 15:36:23

Ouch! Certainly an bad reaction! Hope it is much better very quickly! i wonder what they develop the vaccine on? i know years ago my DD1 could not have the measle jab because it was grown on egg and she had an allergy to eggs. Poor kid caught measles from her little sister when she had her vaccination!

Gentutoring46 Wed 08-Oct-14 08:19:01

I had the flu jab twice with no ill effects but last year my arm swelled up and I had itchy eyes and throat. My doctor says I can't have it again because it could be dangerous and they are looking for an alternative vaccine, but to be honest I've gone off the whole idea.