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Reactions to Flu Shot

The flu is an infection in the nose, throat and lungs caused by a virus. Everyone who has not had a serious reaction to a flu shot previously is recommended to get one yearly. Be sure to report to your doctor any side effects you may experience.

  1. Mild Reactions

    • Mild reactions to a flu shot can be soreness, pain, swelling or redness at the site of the injection. These symptoms usually begin shortly after the injection is received and should not persist longer than two days.

    Moderate Reactions

    • These reactions generally show up six to 12 hours after receiving the flu shot. They include low-grade fever, fatigue, headaches, muscle aches and a general sense of not feeling well.

    Severe Reactions

    • Severe reactions to the flu shot can take the form of hives, an asthma attack or difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips and tongue or swelling around the heart. Guillain-Barre syndrome is one of the most severe reactions of the flu shot.

    Allergic Reactions

    • Allergic reactions are usually caused by a pre-existing sensitivity to eggs or chicken. The symptoms of an allergic reaction to the flu shot can be wheezing, abdominal pain, vomiting or diarrhea, tiredness or weakness.

    Rare Reactions

    • Rare reactions reported after receiving a flu shot include Goodpasture's syndrome, mononucleosis and subcutaneous T-cell lymphoma. The risk of a flu shot causing serious harm or death is extremely small, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

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