Fly Shot Symptom
Flu season is nothing to mess around with. In a typical year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there are anywhere from 9 million to 45 million cases of flu-related illnesses. While many can recover from influenza at home, between 140,000 to 810,000 people are hospitalized and 12,000 to 61,000 people die from the flu each year in the United States. If you’re thinking about getting a flu shot, you’re in good company. An influenza vaccine can make you less likely to get sick, make your illness milder if you do get sick, and prevent others around you who aren't able to get the flu shot from getting ill, thanks to herd immunity. But there are certain side effects of getting a flu shot: many people complain of feeling tired after getting a flu shot, but doctors say that isn't a cause for worry (or a reason not to get vaccinated).
Why Does The Flu Shot Make You Tired?
- According to the CDC, mild side effects from the flu shot include soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site, low-grade fever and aches. Only about 1 percent to 2 percent of people who get.
- If you get the flu shot, you might have a mild fever and feel tired or achy afterward. Some people also have soreness, redness, or swelling where they got their shot. These problems aren’t serious.
- If you get the flu shot, you might have a mild fever and feel tired or achy afterward. Some people also have soreness, redness, or swelling where they got their shot. These problems aren’t serious.
Dr. Gustavo Ferrer, M.D., the founder of the Cleveland Clinic Florida Cough Center, tells Bustle that the tiredness some people feel is a result of “the body’s defenses (immune system) responding to the dead virus present in the vaccine.' He further explains, “The symptoms are the result of the antibodies produced by our body in order to build up an immune response. In essence, a foreign substance (dead virus) entering our body that our defenses recognize and respond with fatigue, tiredness, low-grade fever, and lousiness.”
Side effects of the flu vaccine are generally mild and go away on their own within a few days. Common side effects from the flu shot include: Soreness, redness, and/or swelling from the shot.
The fatigue won't last too long though, says Dr. Sanjeev Jain, M.D., board-certified allergist and immunologist and founder of Columbia Allergy. The sleepy sensation usually resolves itself in 24-48 hours, Dr. Jain tells Bustle.
What Other Side Effects Can The Flu Shot Cause?
'Soreness, redness, and swelling where the shot is given, fever, muscle aches, and headache can happen after receiving the influenza vaccine,' Dr. Jain says.
Side effects aren't necessarily a bad sign. Dr. Jain tells Bustle that symptoms arise because your body is letting the flu shot do its thing. 'When you get a vaccine, your immune system gets activated in order to build a protective response against the viral protein,' he says. 'As a result of this, there is a transient release of inflammatory mediators in your body that causes these symptoms.' In other words, you might get a little sore and swollen.
'Usually, the post-vaccination symptoms are relatively mild,' Dr. Jain says. 'You can take acetaminophen (AKA Tylenol) to help relieve these symptoms if they are bothersome.'
Why Side Effects Shouldn't Stop You From Getting A Flu Shot
'The benefits of getting a flu vaccine significantly outweigh the temporary adverse effects associated with it,' Dr. Jain says. The flu vaccine prevents millions of illnesses and flu-related doctor visits each year, the CDC says. That can translate into a 60% decrease in flu-related trips to the doctor or ER. The CDC estimates that one in five people get the flu each year, so the odds that you or someone you’re close with will get the flu are pretty high. The risk of a flu shot causing serious harm or death is 'extremely small,” the CDC says, while the actual flu can make you or those around you dangerously sick, or potentially lead to death. Even when someone is inclined to 'ride it out' if they get sick rather than get vaccinated, Dr. Jain points out that getting the flu shot can help protect those around you, especially those who might not be able to get it themselves.
There are some ways to combat that tired feeling, according to Dr. Ferrer. First, he recommends that you take it easy after getting the vaccine. “This is the time to rest. Don’t push through. You need time to restore your energy.” He also suggests drinking plenty of fluids. Rest and hydration should kick your side effects to the curb in no time, and the flu shot will protect you and those around you all season long.
Experts:
Dr. Gustavo Ferrer, M.D., founder of the Cleveland Clinic Florida Cough Center
Dr. Sanjeev Jain, M.D., board-certified allergist and immunologist and founder of Columbia Allergy
This article discusses the harmful effects from breathing in or swallowing bug spray (repellent).
This article is for information only. DO NOT use it to treat or manage an actual poison exposure. If you or someone you are with has an exposure, call your local emergency number (such as 911), or your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States.
Most bug repellents contain DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) as their active ingredient. DEET is one of the few insect sprays that work to repel bugs. It is recommended for preventing diseases that mosquitos spread. Some of these are malaria, dengue fever, and West Nile virus.
Other less effective bug sprays contain pyrethrins. Pyrethrins are a pesticide made from the chrysanthemum flower. It is generally considered nonpoisonous, but it can cause breathing problems if you breathe in large amounts.
Symptoms of using bug spray vary, depending on what type of spray it is.
Symptoms of swallowing sprays that contain pyrethrins are:
- Breathing difficulty
- Coughing
- Loss of alertness (stupor), from the blood oxygen level being out of balance
- Tremors (if a large amount is swallowed)
- Seizures (if a large amount is swallowed)
- Upset stomach, including cramps, stomach pain, and nausea
- Vomiting
Below are symptoms of using sprays that contain DEET in different parts of the body.
EYES, EARS, NOSE, AND THROAT
- Temporary burning and redness, if DEET is sprayed into these parts of the body. Washing the area will usually make the symptoms go away. Burns to the eye may require medicine.
HEART AND BLOOD (IF A LARGE AMOUNT OF DEET IS SWALLOWED)
- Low blood pressure
- Very slow heartbeat
NERVOUS SYSTEM
- Clumsiness when walking.
- Coma (lack of responsiveness).
- Disorientation.
- Insomnia and mood changes. These symptoms may occur with long-term use of large amounts of DEET (over 50% concentration).
- Death.
- Seizures.
DEET is especially dangerous for small children. Seizures may occur in small children who regularly have DEET on their skin for long periods of time. Care should be taken to use only products that have smaller amounts of DEET. These products should be used only for short periods of time. Products containing DEET probably should not be used on infants.
SKIN
- Hives or mild skin redness and irritation. These symptoms are usually mild and will go away when the product is washed off the skin.
- More severe skin reactions that include blistering, burning, and permanent scars of the skin. These symptoms may occur when someone uses products that contain a large amount of DEET over a long period of time. Military personnel or game wardens may use these types of products.
STOMACH AND INTESTINES (If SOMEONE SWALLOWS A SMALL AMOUNT OF DEET)
- Moderate to severe stomach irritation
- Nausea and vomiting
By far, the most serious complication of DEET poisonings is damage to the nervous system. Death is possible for people who develop nervous system damage from DEET.
DO NOT make the person throw up unless poison control or a health care provider tells you to. If the product is on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes.
If the person swallowed the product, give them water or milk right away, unless a provider tells you not to. DO NOT give anything to drink if the person has symptoms that make it hard to swallow. These include vomiting, convulsions, or a decreased level of alertness. If the person breathed in the product, move them to fresh air right away.
Have this information ready:
- Person's age, weight, and condition
- Name of the product (ingredients and strength, if known)
- Time it was swallowed or inhaled
- Amount swallowed or inhaled
Your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.
This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.
The provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated.
The person may receive:
- Blood and urine tests
- Breathing support, including oxygen given through a tube through the mouth into the lungs, and a breathing machine (ventilator)
- Bronchoscopy: camera placed down the throat to see burns in the airways and lungs
- Chest x-ray
- ECG (electrocardiogram, or heart tracing)
- Fluids through a vein (IV)
- Medicine to treat the effects of the poison
- Washing of the skin (irrigation), perhaps every few hours for several days
For sprays that contain pyrethrins:
- For simple exposure or inhaling small amounts, recovery should occur.
- Severe breathing difficulty can quickly become life threatening.
For sprays that contain DEET:
When used as directed in small amounts, DEET is not very harmful. It is the preferred bug repellent for preventing diseases that mosquitos spread. It is usually the sensible choice to use DEET to repel mosquitos, compared to the danger of any of those diseases, even for pregnant women.
Flu Shot Symptoms In Children
Serious problems can occur if someone swallows a large amount of a DEET product that is very strong. How well the person does depends on the amount they swallowed, how strong it is, and how quickly they receive medical treatment. Seizures can lead to permanent brain damage and possibly death.
Cullen MR. Principles of occupational and environmental medicine. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 16.
Flu Shot Symptoms
Tekulve K, Tormoehlen LM, Walsh L. Poisoning and drug-induced neurological diseases. In: Swaiman KF, Ashwal S, Ferriero DM, et al, eds. Swaiman's Pediatric Neurology: Principles and Practice. 6th ed. Elsevier; 2017:chap 156.
Welker K, Thompson TM. Pesticides. In: Walls RM, Hockberger RS, Gausche-Hill M, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 157.
Flu Shot Symptoms In Toddlers
Updated by: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Emeritus, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.