Flu Shot Hazards

From late fall to early spring, seasonal flu annually affects an estimated 5 to 20 percent of the population with symptoms, including fever, body aches, coughing, headache and a sore throat. Most weather the flu with irritation and bed rest. High-risk populations such as children, elderly and those with compromised immune systems can face complications or even death. Although vaccines exist, many weigh side effects during their annual flu shot decision.

Flu-Like Symptoms

• The CDC states flu-like vaccine side effects prove much milder than the virus.

  Flu vaccine is available in two types: inactivated and live. Although each contains either dead or weakened influenza virus, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) assures patients on its website that flu-like symptoms occurring after live virus vaccines are not the actual flu. You may experience milder symptoms commonly associated with the flu such as aches, fever, irritated eyes, congestion or even nausea for one to two days following the vaccination. These reactions appear more commonly in children and adolescents. Rare, life-threatening allergic reactions usually occur within the first minutes or hours after receipt. Signs of severe allergic reactions include difficulty breathing, increased heart rate, dizziness, high fever or behavioral changes.

Skin Rashes

• Swelling and redness around the injection site often accompany flu vaccines.

  A mild allergic reaction to an injected flu vaccine may appear at the area where administered. Some develop soreness, inflammation or swelling at the site of the shot. Itching may also occur. Most symptoms usually disappear within a day or two of the injection. A warm compress applied to the affective area may ease swelling and speed recovery time. Those with skin reactions should keep an eye out for additional symptoms of severe allergic reaction, and contact their health care provider should the swelling become extreme or prolonged.

Links to Autism

• Many believe immunization preservatives hold a link to autism.

  Thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative once routinely used in childhood immunizations raised questions and lawsuits regarding suspected links to autism. Currently, influenza vaccines do contain thimerosal. Some brands of the vaccine, however, contain only a trace of the preservative, which is diluted during manufacturing to the point that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declared such batches to be preservative-free. While numerous studies failed to provide a link between thrimerosal and autism, those concerned about the inclusion of the preservative should speak with their health care provider regarding the amount included in their vaccine supply.