Influenza is a serious and life-threatening disease affecting the respiratory system. It is also highly contagious, although in most cases it goes away without the need for medication and without complications. The flu shot is usually safe, but some people may experience adverse reactions to the injection. You can manage these negative responses by going to the doctor when it comes to allergic reactions or with home care in mild cases.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Seeking Medical Treatment for Serious Reactions
Step 1. Get medical attention right away if you have a severe allergic reaction
In rare cases, the flu shot can trigger major or life-threatening reactions. Symptoms usually appear within minutes to hours after the injection. If you suffer from the ailments listed below and they are violent, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately:
- Respiratory difficulties.
- Hoarseness or dyspnea.
- Edema of the eyes, lips or throat.
- Urticaria.
- Pallor.
- Weakness.
- Tachycardia or dizziness.
Step 2. Call your doctor if you have a possible allergic reaction
You can suffer from severe side effects even if the symptoms are not debilitating or a dangerous allergic response has not been triggered. These disorders are worthy of professional attention, so call your doctor if you have:
- Fever above 38 ° C.
- Hives or edema localized at the injection site.
- Difficulty in breathing or rapid heartbeat.
- Vertigo that lasts more than a day or two.
- Continuous bleeding from the injection site.
Step 3. Get treatment to relieve symptoms
Treatments vary according to the type and severity of the reaction; the doctor can prescribe you medications or have you hospitalized for observation. In severe cases, you may also receive this type of treatment:
- Injection of epinephrine to avoid anaphylactic crisis.
- Oral or injectable antihistamines to manage hives and itching.
- Hospitalization in case of cardiovascular reactions or loss of consciousness.
Step 4. Monitor your symptoms closely
In many cases, the negative reactions to the vaccine disappear without any treatment; however, it is important to pay attention to any discomfort following the injection or treatment you have received. If your symptoms don't go away or get worse, call your doctor or go to the emergency room to minimize the risk of an adverse reaction and serious complications.
If you have concerns about symptoms or side effects, call your doctor - it's always better to be safe than sorry
Part 2 of 2: Relieving Mild Symptoms at Home
Step 1. Recognize the most common adverse reactions
The severe ones are quite rare; however you may experience some symptoms after the injection or after using the nasal spray (the latter method of administering the flu vaccine is no longer recommended). By identifying the common side effects, you can find the best way to manage them. Here is a short list:
- Pain, swelling or redness at the injection site.
- Headache.
- Mild fever (below 38 ° C).
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Muscle aches.
- Cough or sore throat.
- Rhinorrhea.
Step 2. Take ibuprofen to manage swelling or pain
Most of the negative effects disappear in a day or two and are usually localized to the injection site; it is mostly painfulness, redness or mild edema. By taking a pain reliever like ibuprofen you can find some relief and reduce swelling.
- Take an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen sodium; these active ingredients work against pain, swelling and inflammation.
- Respect the instructions on the leaflet or those of the doctor regarding the dosage.
Step 3. Apply a cold pack
The area where the sting was performed could be itchy, painful or otherwise sensitive; you may also complain of weakness or dizziness. By placing a cold pack on your face or injection site, you can manage these negative symptoms.
- If you experience pain, swelling or redness, place a cold towel or ice pack on the part of your body where the vaccine was injected. use this remedy as needed for 20 minutes at a time until the discomfort subsides.
- Place a cold, wet washcloth on your face or neck if you feel lightheaded, dizzy, or sweat.
- If the skin becomes too cold or loses sensitivity, remove the compress.
Step 4. Apply a compression bandage in case of light bleeding
Following the administration of the vaccine, some blood may come out of the wound left by the needle. In some cases this phenomenon can continue for a couple of days, but you can manage it by pressing adhesive gauze on the area until the bleeding stops.
If the blood continues to come out after a day or two or the situation gets worse, call your doctor
Step 5. Sit down and eat something to control dizziness
Some patients may feel lightheaded or on the verge of fainting from the injection; it is a disorder that usually lasts no more than a day or two and the best way to manage it is rest. Eating a small snack while you rest increases your blood glucose concentration and makes you feel better.
- If you feel dizzy, sit or lie on the floor for a few minutes; Undo your clothes or sit with your head between your knees to make the illness go away.
- Eat a small snack to raise your blood sugar and reduce lightheadedness choose a healthy snack, such as a wedge of cheese, peanut butter toast, or apple wedges.
Step 6. Bring down the fever with acetaminophen or ibuprofen
Many people experience a mild fever (below 38 ° C) after the flu shot. This is a normal reaction that goes away in a couple of days; However, if it causes you a lot of discomfort, you can take ibuprofen or acetaminophen to lower the temperature and find relief from muscle aches.
- Follow the instructions on the leaflet or those of your doctor to treat it with these medicines.
- If it doesn't go away in two days or is above 38 ° C, call the doctor immediately.
Step 7. Use anti-itch medications
It is quite common for the sting site to be itchy; usually the symptom disappears in a day or two, but it can also be quite annoying. If so, you can apply a specific medication to find some relief.
- Apply hydrocortisone cream every 4-6 hours. if the itching is very intense, your doctor may prescribe prednisone or methylprednisolone by mouth.
- Take an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or hydroxyzine (Atarax) every 4-6 hours to control localized itching.
Advice
People allergic to eggs in the past had to remain in the doctor's office for observation for half an hour after receiving the injection, but nowadays it is no longer necessary. If you have a slight sensitivity to this food, you can leave the doctor's office immediately after getting the vaccine. Severely allergic individuals can undergo the injection, but should be closely monitored for severe adverse reactions
Warnings
- If in doubt, call your doctor - it's always better to be safe than sorry.
- Do not vaccinate children who are less than 6 months of age.
- Don't avoid getting vaccinated just because you've had a mild reaction in the past. Remember that you can have this preventative treatment even if you have been sick after an injection, because the wording changes every year.
