what to expect after fever has broke with the flu

Illustration by Cindy Chung, Verywell

Past and big, kids tolerate flu shots well, but some may experience side effects that are typically cursory and mild. The benefits of the flu shot far outweigh any discomfort a person may experience. This is peculiarly true for young children who can develop serious complications if they catch flu.

Myths About the Flu Vaccine

There accept long been myths and misconceptions virtually the flu shot, especially when it comes to young children and toddlers. One of the most common is that it causes the flu, an impossibility since the vaccine is non made with a alive virus.

Even when the vaccine is delivered with the FluMist nasal spray (which is a live vaccine), it is created from a weakened form of the virus which is unable to crusade the flu.

The flu shot does not cause the flu. Side effects may occur, but they are rare and the risks of these side effects are outweighed by the benefits that this preventative measure provides.

Common Side Furnishings

There is no side-stepping the fact that flu shots can cause side effects, especially in younger children who may exist getting their shots for the first time. About typically last a 24-hour interval or two, and they are well-nigh always mild.

Possible flu shot reactions may include:

• Fatigue
• Headache
• Low-grade fever
• Muscle aches
• Nausea
• Hurting and swelling at the injection site

If whatever side effect seems concerning to you, follow your instincts and call your pediatrician. In the event of fever, do not use aspirin as this tin can cause a rare only serious condition in children called Reye'south syndrome, an illness characterized by the swelling of the liver and encephalon.

While rare, allergic reactions can sometimes occur, including potentially life-threateninganaphylaxis. If there is facial swelling, breathing difficulty, vomiting, hives, dizziness, rapid pulse, or fainting, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room immediately.

Common Flu Nasal Spray Reactions

To avoid needles, some parents opt for the FluMist nasal spray for their child. Introduced in 2003, the FluMist vaccine is approved for utilize in people historic period 2 to 49. Still, information technology is non used during flu seasons when it doesn't contain the strains of flu that are predicted to be circulating that year.

While fast and like shooting fish in a barrel to administer, the spray does have a number of possible side effects, such as:

• Cough or a sore throat
• General malaise
• Headache
• Depression-class fever
• Muscle aches
• Nasal congestion
• Runny nose

Children should non be given the FluMist vaccine if they are allergic to eggs or gelatin. Equally with the flu shot, neither children nor teens should be given aspirin to care for fever.

Symptoms vs. Side Effects

If your kid feels unwell after getting the flu vaccine, information technology is understandable to assume that it was related to the shot. All the same, it may just be a coincidence, especially if your child is in daycare or around other sick children.

It is of import to differentiate this because some parents volition aspect a symptom or illness to the flu shot and swear to never employ it once again. This would increment the risk of the kid catching influenza and developing a serious complication. Before drawing a conclusion, enquire yourself a few questions:

• Has your child had the flu shot before? If your child has had one earlier without a reaction, it is unlikely the symptoms acquired by the vaccine.
• How long has your child been sick? If a symptom persists for more than than 2 days or worsens, it is unlikely that the flu shot is the crusade. In such a instance, information technology's best to see your pediatrician every bit soon every bit possible.
• Is anyone else sick? If your child gets sick after the flu shot (as opposed to feeling unwell or tired), observe out if other parents have experienced the same with their kids. This is especially true in your child is in daycare where viruses are readily passed from one toddler to the next.
• What other symptoms does your child have? Since the symptoms of a flu shot are pretty non-specific, any number of things may take acquired them. If an isolated symptom appears, such every bit nasal congestion, inquire yourself if there whatsoever other possible cause for this (such as hay fever or a developing cold).
• When did the symptoms brainstorm? Flu shot symptoms commonly appear within 6 to 12 hours. If an illness appears ii to iii days later on getting the shot, it is probably unrelated.

In the unlikely event your kid has the same reaction twelvemonth subsequently year, then it is probably non a coincidence. You may need to avoid the flu shot and speak with your pediatrician well-nigh using FluMist as an culling.

Y'all should also report the reaction to the Vaccine Adverse Result Study System, a condom surveillance plan managed by the U.South. Nutrient and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Source: https://www.verywellfamily.com/flu-shot-side-effects-2634615

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