Flu Vaccines

[christiangirl]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

As for your reaction to the shot, the form that most of us sign at flu clinics (or your doctor can tell you) explains the risks for people with certain allergies and conditions. I always sign the waiver because the flu is worse than MY allergic reactions.

The reaction I had was not on the form--2 lymph nodes in my armpit (of the arm where I got the shot) swelled up, very large and very painfully. I'm not allergic to anything listed on the waiver, so the 3 nurses who checked me out could not explain what happened or why except "I guess you had a reaction to something in the serum, but I haven't seen that reaction before." It started about 4 days after I got the shot and lasted about a week.

Originally Posted by littleowl33

Different people are different in how their immune system reacts, and there are lots of other variables in play - I'm sure you know that from interning at a hospital.

Which is why that anecdote was thrown out there: to add a dimension of possibilities, not to convince anyone in one direction or another.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by christiangirl

Well, I'll throw this in about flu vaccines. My mom has gotten the flu shot every year since I can remember and every single year, she catches the flu--not just a little discomfort either, she would be out of work for a full week or more. She's a really healthy person otherwise, nothing comprising her immune system or anything. However, my parents never gave me the flu vaccine when I was little for whatever reason and I've gotten the flu three times that I can remember (ages 9, 15, and 21). So, for obvious reasons, I never saw the point of having it. I got it this year because I intern at a hospital and they run around like everyone who doesn't get it is bound to die a painful, miserable death. It was just for this year and, as I had a reaction to the shot, I don't plan on doing it again, unless I once again find myself working in a hospital or some other place with immonosuppressed people. And even then, it'd be for them and not me.

That being said, if a baby falls into that high-risk group, then the pros may outweigh the cons. You're her mom, so you get to make that call. As she gets older, it may not be so important, but right now she's your baby and you're protecting her the best you can. You're right not to let threats of antifreeze scare you.

The most likely answer to your mother's yearly "flu" infection is that it was NOT the flu. It is very unlikely that she would get the flu EVERY year even if she was not immunized. People call the common cold and every other viral syndrome the flu. The flu is only caused by the INFLUENZA virus. Other viruses can give you similar symptoms but will not be prevented by a shot that is made of influenza virus particles. Even if she was diagnosed by a physician with the FLU, it doesn't mean she really had the flu unless she actually got a culture. The only "pathognomonic" sign of influenza is pain in the extra-ocular muscles with movement. I had the flu on the interview trail as a senior med student...I literally had to turn my head to look around the room because moving my eyes hurt so much!

Originally Posted by christiangirl

The reaction I had was not on the form--2 lymph nodes in my armpit (of the arm where I got the shot) swelled up, very large and very painfully. I'm not allergic to anything listed on the waiver, so the 3 nurses who checked me out could not explain what happened or why except "I guess you had a reaction to something in the serum, but I haven't seen that reaction before." It started about 4 days after I got the shot and lasted about a week.



Which is why that anecdote was thrown out there: to add a dimension of possibilities, not to convince anyone in one direction or another.

The reaction you experienced is rare, but demonstrated your immune system working a little overtime. The lymph nodes in your axilla (armpit) drain your upper extremity, including the area where you had your shot. When antigens reach lymph nodes, they are the first line of defense to fight infection in the area they guard. The reason your lymph nodes got swollen and sore was because your body made tons of new lymphocytes to fight the virus particles that had been injected into your body. Unfortunately, the process went a little further than it needed to, but we see this quite frequently in other minor infections. The lymph nodes go away over time like yours did. Nurses are not trained to know all of the side effects, etc. Not her fault, that's why we have doctors!

[OleMissGlitter]

I've had the flu vaccine for the past 5 years. (Knocking on wood) I've never had flu. I work on a college campus too and I come in contact with all sorts of sick college kids! Back in August we had about half of our office out too with H1N1.