Each year, approximately 30,000 to 40,000 people experience fatal medical complications following infection with influenza or the flu, FluFacts.com reports. Receiving a flu shot can help reduce a person's risk of developing this virus, which can cause symptoms of fever, fatigue, headache, body aches or upset stomach. Dangerous side effects of the flu shot occur infrequently, but people should be aware of these potential complications before receiving this immunization.
Guillain-Barré Syndrome
A severe nerve disorder called Guillain-Barré Syndrome, or GBS, is a potentially dangerous side effect associated with the flu shot, according to Discovery Health. Symptoms of GBS initially include leg muscle tingling or weakness, which can rapidly become worse and may cause paralysis. People who develop GBS after receiving the flu shot may experience symptoms within a few hours or weeks of treatment. This rare side effect of the flu shot may affect 1 to 2 people in every 1 million people who receive this vaccine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports.
Hypersensitive Reaction
People who are hypersensitive to eggs or any component of the flu shot are in danger of developing a severe hypersensitive reaction if they are improperly vaccinated, the CDC warns. Signs of this type of allergic reaction may include vocal hoarseness, weakness, pale skin, a rapid heartbeat, wheezing or hives. In most cases, allergic reaction symptoms in hypersensitive people emerge within a few minutes or hours of receipt of this vaccine. Immediate medical attention is required for any person who develops a hypersensitive reaction after immunization with the flu shot.
Alternate Side Effects
Alternate side effects may arise in certain people following treatment with the flu shot. These mild problems can include a skin reaction at the injection site, such as redness, pain or swelling, or headache, fever or chills, Discovery Health explains. Typically, these alternate side effects of the flu shot progressively subside with a day following treatment. People who experience severe or persistent side effects after receiving the flu shot should consult a physician.
References
- FluFacts.com: Influenza Statistics
- Discovery Health: Should I Get a Flu Shot? - What are the Possible Side Effects?
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Inactivated Influenza Vaccine - What You Need to Know
- BabyCenter: The Flu Shot for Children - What are the Possible Side Effects?
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Guillain-Barré Syndrome
