Everyone over the age of 6 months should get the influenza vaccine, or flu shot, unless there is a history of a severe allergic reaction to the shot, you have an egg allergy or you have a history of Guillian Barre Syndrome occurring after a flu shot, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC. A mild reaction to the flu shot is common, but severe allergic reactions are rare.
General Information
The flu shot is composed of three inactive viruses, grown in eggs, that research determines will be most common in the upcoming season, according to the CDC. The shot is usually given in muscle tissues in the arm, and approximately two weeks later, antibodies develop in the body that are protective against the flu. A severe allergy to the flu shot may be due to the presence of a small amount of egg protein, if you are allergic to eggs. You may also have an allergic reaction to another vaccination ingredient.
Minor Reaction
A minor, local reaction to the flu shot site is common and might include soreness, redness or swelling. You might also experience a low-grade fever and muscle aches. If any of these symptoms are bothersome, you can take an over-the-counter pain or fever reducer. If your child has side effects, talk to her pediatrician about the necessity of medication and the dosage. Despite possibly having a low-grade fever and muscle aches, the flu shot does not give you the flu and these symptoms should resolve in one or two days, according to MayoClinic.com.
Severe Reaction
A severe allergic reaction to the flu shot is rare, according to the CDC. A severe allergic reaction might involve breathing difficulties, wheezing, hives, weakness, a rapid heart rate or dizziness. A severe reaction occurs within a few minutes to a few hours after getting the influenza vaccine. If you have an egg allergy, you should not get the flu shot, as viruses are grown in hens' eggs. Contact your doctor or seek medical help immediately if you experience a severe reaction to the flu shot.
Guillian Barre Syndrome
In 1976, Guillian Barre Syndrome -- or GBS -- was associated with the flu shot, according to the CDC. GBS is an illness that causes fever, muscle weakness and nerve damage. The risk now is quite low, as recent studies indicate that only one out of a million people who receive the flu shot are at risk for getting GBS, notes the CDC.
