The swine flu, or H1N1, is a respiratory infection that causes fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, diarrhea and vomiting, according to the Mayo Clinic. The severe complications of swine flu include pneumonia, respiratory failure and worsening of previous medical conditions. Fortunately, a vaccine has been developed to prevent the spread of swine flu. However, you should be aware of the vaccine's possible side effects.
Pain
The swine flu vaccine is given in an injectable form, usually in the shoulder muscles. This can cause pain, soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site. To alleviate these symptoms, apply an ice pack to the injection site for 20 minutes, then remove the ice pack for 20 minutes; repeat this cycle as often as necessary. You can also take an over-the-counter pain-relieving medication for relief. Alert your doctor if this side effect has not resolved after a few days.
Fever
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), a fever is a possible side effect of the swine flu vaccine. If you are experiencing a fever of over 100.5 degrees F following the swine flu injection, consult your doctor.
Body Aches
The vaccine may also cause body aches, including a headache and muscle aches, according to the CDC. Alert your doctor if you are experiencing an abnormal headache or body aches that are not in the area of the injection site.
Considerations
The CDC reports that Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a severe neuromuscular disease, was associated with a certain type of swine flu vaccine in 1976. However, this is not a concern with the recent vaccine.
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