Is it normal to feel sick after the influenza vaccine?

"Mrs. Jones would like the flu shot today?"

"No, doc. When I was younger, I had it and I was still getting sick, so now, at my age, I think I will pass it this year and try my luck. "

It's a very common exchange in all primary health care provider offices at this time of year – and a great opportunity to really understand why Ms. Jones thinks vaccines have made her sick and an opportunity to raise awareness. to the flu vaccine.

The flu or "flu" is responsible for about 20,000 deaths a year on average in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

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The American Academy of Family Physicians reports that every year about 130,000 people go to a hospital with the flu and that 20,000 die from it.

An effective and important way to protect yourself is to get vaccinated against the flu – which should not actually give you the flu. There are many reasons why people do not get the flu shot, but I hope that below you will find information and clarification on the most common misconceptions about the vaccine.

1. What is the flu?

Influenza is an infection of the nose, throat and lungs caused by a virus. This is perhaps the worst cold of your life.

2. What are some of the symptoms of influenza?

The flu starts suddenly and hits hard. You will probably feel weak and tired, and have fever, dry cough, runny nose, chills, muscle aches, severe headache, eye pain and sore throat.

3. How does the vaccine work?

Influenza vaccines result in the formation of antibodies (cells responsible for the fight against infection) approximately 2 weeks after firing. These antibodies provide protection against the virus. The seasonal flu vaccine protects against influenza viruses that, according to research, will be the most prevalent in the coming season. Traditionally, it protects against 3 types of influenza: influenza A, (H1N1), influenza A (H3N2) and influenza B.

4. Can I take medication instead of influenza vaccine?

No medicine heals and is not recommended instead of the flu shot. Some prescriptions may help the symptoms of the flu. Antibiotics do not work against viruses. The drugs work by reducing the severity of the symptoms if you start taking them soon after the onset of your illness.

5. What are the side effects of the flu vaccine?

The side effects are mild and short-lasting, depending on whether you get vaccinated against the flu or by the nose, especially compared to the symptoms of a severe case of flu.
Influenza vaccine: pain, redness or swelling where the shot was administered, fever (low grade), pain
Nasal spray: runny nose, wheezing, headache, vomiting, muscle aches, fever.

6. Is the vaccine working right away?

No, it takes about two weeks after the vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against the flu. This is why you can get the flu about the time you get a vaccine because you have been exposed before the vaccine and you were not protected by the time you were infected.

7. Can the flu shot give me the flu?

No, although people tend to tie the two together, the vaccine can not cause the flu. This is because the vaccine is either a form of the killed (inactivated) virus that is not infectious, or it is made from the proteins of an attenuated influenza virus "weakened" and therefore can not cause the influenza.

8. What are the benefits of the flu vaccine?

The most obvious is that it saves you from having the flu, reduces the risk of hospitalization and protects the people around you.

9. Where can I get the vaccine?

Grocery stores, pharmacies, as well as doctors' offices and hospitals offer vaccines against influenza. It does not matter where you go because they all use the same vaccine. It is important to get the flu shot as soon as possible.

10. Can I catch the flu even if I got the flu shot this year?

Yes, unfortunately, because you can sometimes be exposed to the flu virus shortly before you get vaccinated, or to a type of flow not included in the seasonal flu shot. The vaccine is not a proof in its own right, but it is the best way to protect against influenza infection.

For more information, consult your doctor or visit the CDC website, Vaccine Supply & Distribution.

Dr. Tambetta Ojong is a resident in family medicine at SUNY Downstate Medical Center and a member of ABC News Medical Unit.