Anyone had a Reaction

Every year I've had the jab, it has been followed by a bout of something resembling flu.

I had one a few days ago and have felt rough ever since: aching muscles, painful knee joints, tearfulness esp first thing in the morning, inflammation around the site of the the injection.

Yesterday I read the leaflet that goes with the jab and it confirmed all the above as possible side effects.

Why do I still have the jab? Good question. Possibly I am aware that flu can have serious consequence particularly for the elderly.

I have just copied this from the web:

You may experience soreness and/or swelling in your arm at the injection site after getting a flu jab. Some people have cold-like symptoms, including a mild fever, sniffles, headache, runny nose, sore throat, cough and muscle aches for a day or two after getting the flu jab.

Google 'side effects of the flu jab' for further information.

The mix of the flu strains is different each year, because they take a punt at which flu strains are likely to be around over the winter when they start growing the vaccine earlier in the year.
The more vaccines you get, the more resistant you become to flu, as you grow partial immunity to strains related to ones you've been vaccinated against - as well of course as the main one!

I have had the flu jab probably for about 20 years now, as I had it when I was working for the NHS, and have never had a reaction. I was once so ill with flu before I started having the jabs that I would still have it anyway.

As for the shingles jab, there is definitely something active in it because my husband has leukaemia and it's essential for him to have all the other jabs, but he can't have that one.

I felt rotten after the pneumonia jab a few years ago (@ 57) and had 2 chest infections that winter. If you're not better by Monday, go back to the doc. In the meantime, paracetamol and lots of fluids!

Son lying on sofa with a cold and sore throat etc.

Thanks for reminding me have to make an appointment for mine next week. Always have a flue jab.

I always have a sore and aching arm after flu jab, but am pleased as it indicates my immune system is kicking in. Some may experience more marked reactions but it is also possible to be incubating another infection or catch one soon after immunisation and assume it's the flu jab. Having suffered flu some years ago I dread getting it as it was debilitating for weeks. Every winter there are many excess deaths, mainly in the over 65s, from flu. Inevitably immune system weakens as we age and even a healthy older person can become extremely ill with flu. They don't get the vaccine right every year, but I would rather take my chance with the vaccine than flu.

We had our flu jabs on Friday & are feeling fine. No reactions whatsoever. I think it's silly NOT to have them, even if they they cause discomfort for a short time. I haven't had a bad cold for years.

I've been offered the flu jab this year and planned to go yesterday but with a sick dog to look after with no help, I simply forgot! The next clinic is on Tuesday and I'm flying to Bristol the same evening so I sincerely hope I don't get a reaction.

Headache just starting and achy - don't know whether to try to work it off and do some digging or rest. Digging I think.

Flu is a killer. If you've ever had real flu you will know just what a ghastly virus it is, what you feel after the injection -if anything- DH is fine- is absolutely nothing to how I'll you are with flu.

What's a couple of days of being unwell compared to genuine flu? Many people say they have flu but only have a bad cold virus, influenza can be fatal for many people.

The flu virus is mutating all the time so the jab only protects from what has been, not what will be. Nevertheless it's a worthwhile safeguard unless of course you get an unpredictable and debilitating reaction.

I was forced to have flu jab at hospital when I worked there, I was really poorly after. Never again !!!!

henetha, goodluck with your op,hope all goes well. I have had a flu jab every year for the last 15 years apart from 1 year and the year i didnt have it i got flu ! i always have a few off days after the jab but it is worth it not to go through the flu again.

I have never had a reaction from the flu jab but I did get flu the one time I didn`t have it 2 years ago . I will NEVER miss it again ! I don`t think people realise that you can die from flu at our age , my FIL died in his late sixties from flu .
I was so ill when I got it that I hallucinated , lost a stone in a week and ended up in hospital near to death - not an exaggeration . The one good thing that came of it was that I gave up smoking but please don`t anyone miss there flu jab because they feel `off colour` for a few days .

I think flu jabs are important.

Really important to have the flu jab and also the shingles jab!!!

I have also heard that about any reaction [SueDonim] and think it is probably right. I usually feel a bit off after jabs but nothing like I did just as I was starting to feel a little better after strokes. At that point I had a flu virus which was really bad for nearly two months ( to say I was not a happy bunny is a masterly understatement) and I ended up with ME/CFS which is very limiting.
After that I went on to have shingles and was very poorly. It never really leaves you so that if I get very tired I get a few spots again and feel quite ill again.

Do have the jags to protect yourselves and your families!

No reaction I had more or less forgotton about it.

I haven't felt right since my jab. Nothing serious, just out of sorts. A dull headache and joint pain that comes and goes.

All of my family except me has had flu shots but none has ever had a reaction beyond local soreness.

I've read that any cold/flu like symptoms after the shot are actually a sign that your immune system is working well in manufacturing antibodies so you'll have good protection against flu.

I have already got a sniffle and a sore throat, and only had the flu jab this morning!However, himself is smug as he is just fine.Off to bed now with hot milk with a slug of whisky in it.?

Had the flu jab this morning - so far so good!

I have had it every year for a very long time - they used to give it to us at work to avoid us taking time off in the winter. I have never had any reaction at all, so I hope this year will be the same.

Hope you will be feeling better soon glamma.

Son had his today. He seems to have developed a cold rather quickly.

Just off to bed -early night - no reaction so far and arm isn't too bad either. Nothing on shingles arm. How long does shingles incubate?

All the staff and doctors in the Clinic where I work get the flu jab every year, and for as long as I can remember, none of us have ever had a reaction. I'd be afraid not to get it! There again, we all have iron constitutions! Frequent hand washing and, of course, disinfecting all phones daily with wipes!