Many people are wondering if they should get the swine flu vaccine and worry about side effects. Here is the latest information to help with these important questions.
The swine flu is a new virus and many government bodies around the world are recommending getting the H1N1 influenza vaccine to protect against getting sick. But many people have questions when it comes to getting the swine flu vaccine, and some of the big ones include whether to get a vaccine or not and what are the side effects from getting a swine flu vaccine.
In the United States, people who want to get an H1N1 flu vaccine can choose between getting an injection or a nasal spray. Read on to find about the side effects for both forms of vaccination.
Swine Flu Vaccine Side Effects for Shot
It’s expected that side effects for the H1N1 flu vaccine shot will be much like the ones experienced when getting a seasonal influenza vaccine shot. For the shot form of the vaccine, the side effects can include the following mild symptoms:
Headache
Fatigue for several days after
Fever
Muscle aches
Nausea
Redness, soreness, swelling or tenderness near injection site
Fainting (mainly with teens)
The 2009 H1N1 vaccine that is given by injection has a form of the virus that has been killed, so it’s not possible to get influenza from the shot.
What are the Side Effects of the H1N1 Flu Nasal Vaccine?
The expected side effects for the nasal spray form of the swine flu vaccine vary from children to adults. Kids and teens ages two to 17 have reported some of the following mild symptoms:
Cough
Headache
Fever
Muscle aches
Nasal congestion
Runny nose
Stomach pain
Vomiting/Diarrhea
Wheezing
Adults aged 18 to 49 years have reported some of the following symptoms:
Cough
Chills
Headache
Tiredness/Weakness
The nasal vaccine is not being recommended for everyone and has not been approved for pregnant women. People who are healthy and between the ages of two to 49 years old are generally considered good candidates for this nasal spray swine flu vaccine.
Possibility of Severe Side Effects to Swine Flu Vaccine
Severe side effects after getting a vaccine are considered very rare. If they do happen, it’s usually within minutes to hours after receiving the shot. It should also be noted that back in 1976, there was a version of the swine flu vaccine that was linked with people getting Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). Studies have been done since that date and a clear association between flu vaccines and GBS has not been found.
There is a risk for a severe allergic reaction with just about every product people use. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that the risk of dying or becoming extremely ill is very minute from getting a flu vaccination.
The copyright of the article Side Effects of Swine Flu Vaccine in Diseases/Viruses is owned by Tamiko Nicholson. Permission to republish Side Effects of Swine Flu Vaccine in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
My eight year old sister has showed of the following sign from the swine
flu vaccination: -headache -fatigue -fever -nasusea -and fainting constantly Personally I am deeply concerned for my
sister's well-being. I am scared for her life. She is only eight years old
and has been in and out of the hospital for over a week now. She was
diagnosed with swine flu friday, october 30, after getting the H1-N1
vaccinnatio. She was a canadiate for the H1-N1 nasal spray because of her
asthma. I am 16 years old and i have no idea how my little sister is
makeing it through the day. She may also be diagnosed with ba heart disease
i am deeply concerned and i believe that the rest of our american
government should be too. Sincerly, Brittany Girard
Nov 5, 2009 9:37 AM
Tamiko Nicholson :
Thank you for sharing your personal experience about how swine flu has
impacted you and your family. When someone gets very sick in the family it
can be a very difficult and worrisome time. I send positive thoughts for
your sister to recover as soon as she can. The swine flu vaccine
does cause side effects for people as you have listed here, although
fainting is more common in adolescents. The vaccine also does not offer
protection right away, it takes about 10 days for a person to build up
immunity against the H1N1 virus, so it is possible for someone who got the
shot to still get the swine flu within that time period. And if someone has
underlying medical conditions, the vaccine doesn’t work as well for that
person. Also, in the US and Canada, kids from the age of six months to
nine years of age are recommended to get two doses of the vaccine and the
doses have to be spaced apart at least three weeks. It’s possible for
children to get the swine flu, although it’s thought to be to a lesser
extent, during this wait time for the second shot. I am not sure if
your sister was given the nasal spray version of the vaccine or not.
According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people with
long-term conditions like asthma are NOT recommended to get the nasal
spray.
Nov 5, 2009 1:09 PM
Guest :
My wife aged 62 years was vaccinated on 05/11/09 (one day ago) This morning
she observed mild bleeding from her genital area. Could this be due to
vaccination against H1N1? Tudor Australia
Nov 5, 2009 6:55 PM
Tamiko Nicholson :
In my research to write my article on the side effects of the 2009 H1N1 flu
vaccine, I did not read anywhere about the vaccine causing any bleeding to
the genital area. I would suggest going to see a doctor about that.
Nov 6, 2009 9:30 AM
Guest :
My two year old daughter recieved the H1N1 nasal vaccine a week ago and is
now covered in a rash. Is it possible that this is a side effect from it?
She has not had any other symptoms and niether has her brother who also got
the vaccine.
Nov 6, 2009 1:11 PM
Guest :
My boyfriend (17) got the Flu shot last week on Saturday. It has been
almost a week since then and he is constantly feeling tired and weak,
sleeping longer and longer each day. I've urged him to go check it out with
the doctor, but he believes nothing is wrong. Is there a reason he has been
feeling so tired and fatigued recently? He is not part of any sports team,
and has not done any extraneous activity since the shot. I know fatigue is
a side effect, but one lasting a week? Please help me... thank you. -Worried Girlfriend
Nov 6, 2009 1:31 PM
Guest :
Can the nasal spray cause bleeding in your nose? Just received the H1N1
nasal spray vaccine about 1 1/2 ago and my nose just started bleeding.
Should I be concerned about this? I haven't read this to be a side effect
of the vaccine.
Nov 6, 2009 4:12 PM
Guest :
Since the vaccine is not effective in the first 10 days a person can still
get sick in that period. Will this person though experience slightly milder
symptoms because the vaccine has begun to work? Or, on the contrary, would
it make things worse because the vaccine weakens the immune system in those
first days?
Nov 6, 2009 9:28 PM
Tamiko Nicholson :
To Parent of Two-Year-Old Daughter, To be on the safe side with
someone so young, I would go see a doctor as soon as you can and tell
him/her about when your daughter got the shot and the symptoms that
followed. According to the CDC the signs of a severe allergic reaction to
the swine flu vaccine in nasal spray form can include “difficulty
breathing, hoarseness or wheezing, HIVES, paleness, weakness, a fast heart
beat or dizziness.” Her rash might be from something else, but it’s good
to get it checked out, just in case.
Nov 6, 2009 9:28 PM
Tamiko Nicholson :
Dear Worried Girlfriend, After getting the 2009 H1N1 vaccine, most
side effects from it should only last for about 1 to 2 days, fatigue maybe
a little longer. Generally, a person should be feeling better as the days
go by since getting the shot, not worse. Your boyfriend’s condition may or
may not be related to getting the shot, but it would be best for him to
visit a doctor. Tell him it would be a nice early birthday/Christmas
present for him to go to a clinic or see his doctor.
Nov 6, 2009 10:21 PM
Tamiko Nicholson :
To Guest with nose bleed after getting H1N1 nasal spray vaccine,
I found nothing about a nose bleed as a side effect with regards to
getting the H1N1 nasal spray vaccine. Runny nose and nasal congestion are
what the CDC site and MedImmune LLC (the makers of the H1N1 flu vaccine
nasal spray in the US) on their information page about their product have
to say are side effects from it. There was nothing about a bleeding nose.
I’d be inclined to talk with a doctor about it, just for peace of mind.
Nov 6, 2009 10:36 PM
Tamiko Nicholson :
Immunity Guest, My understanding is that your body is slowly building
up immunity over the 10-day period. So maybe the day after the shot your
body has hardly any immunity, but by day 5 your body would have built up
some protection - it’s just not up to its full potential until day 10 (and
these 10 days are an average, the process could be faster or slower
depending on the person). Each person is different for how their body
will react to getting the swine flu, some might only get mild symptoms
anyway without the vaccine, while others would have reacted more severely.
But, basically getting the 2009 H1N1 vaccine should not make things
any worse for you if you get the H1N1 flu before the 10 days are up for the
vaccine to fully kick in. The shot should actually provide some protection,
particularly if the person gets the swine flu nearer the end of the 10-day
period.
Nov 7, 2009 9:29 AM
Guest :
Dear Tamiko, thank you for such wonderful discussion on the subject! Your
answers have been the most useful in my research online for answers! I have
no questions left after reading your answers to the questions of others, I
just wanted to let you know what a great job you are doing! Thanks!!!
Angela Stanton from California
Nov 7, 2009 12:20 PM
Guest :
I had the swine flu jab yesterday Im diabetic ( Insulin controlled ) and my
suger levels went through the roof (24.5) this stuff must have played havoc
inside me i rang the doctor and he said keep a close watxh and if it doesnt
improve call an ambulance..i thought this stuff was to help you.!!!!!!
Nov 7, 2009 2:38 PM
Tamiko Nicholson :
Thanks for posting how the swine flu vaccine affected you. That’s the thing
with both getting the vaccine or getting the swine flu, although the health
authorities can come up with general guidelines of symptoms and side
effects, it’s all based on averages and each person’s body is going to
respond in its own way. Hope everything is ok, and glad to hear you talked
to the doctor as soon as you noticed your sugar levels spiking.
Nov 8, 2009 7:57 AM
Guest :
Five in our family received the H1N1 shot a few days ago. Age range from 2
to 47 years, 16,30 and 47 year olds with asthma. Other than slight redness
at the injection site, no side effects. Just wanted to post a comment
describing no adverse reactions.
Nov 8, 2009 9:40 AM
Guest :
Dear Tamiko, thank you for such wonderful discussion on the subject! Your
answers have been the most useful in my research online for answers! I have
no questions left after reading your answers to the questions of others, I
just wanted to let you know what a great job you are doing! Thanks!!!
Angela Stanton from California
Nov 8, 2009 2:42 PM
Guest :
TO the last writer, if your sister had asthma, she should not have been
given the nasal spray because my children were not allowed the nasal spray
because of that.
Nov 8, 2009 3:30 PM
Guest :
I received the vaccine almost two weeks ago and almost immediately started
getting sore legs (numb and tingling). Over the last two weeks, these
symptoms became worse and my legs have been really sore, weak and sensitive
to touch (almost like shingles on my legs). My doctor says it is not
serious and needs to pass. For how long??? I have already missed a week
of work. My son and husband were fine with the shot. My bones still ache
and it is even difficult to type (sore in the fingers and arm). No other
symptoms (no fever etc.) I must be the one and a million (the doctors
also say it is not gullian bare syndrome).
Nov 9, 2009 4:50 AM
Guest :
I am an intensive care nurse who has recently been incontact with H1N1
patients. Due to this i decided to have the vaccine. Almost exactly 24 post
injection i became unwell, general malaise, nausea and dizziness. Over the
following two hours my symptoms worsened my temp went to 39.1 and I was
visibly shaking. I felt like I had been run over by a truck, my neck
especially was sore. I did experiance some palpatations but i assume that
was pyrexia related and they only lasted half an hour or so. My symtoms had
all but disappeared 12 hours after the first onset and totally gone by 24
hours. Three days on my arm still hurts an is swollen and red. I know this
must have been a bad reation and im just not sure if i would have it again.
I have seen how ill swine flu can make you and its serious i just wanted to
post this note, not to put people off but to make them aware of the side
effects. Maybe best lie low for the next couple of days post jab and make
sure you are with some one if you become unwell. Wendy Strachan Aboyne, Scotland
Nov 9, 2009 5:28 AM
Guest :
I have to turn in paperwork today for my son, 5 yrs old, to receive the
first portion of the Swine Flu Shot at school. I am extremely skeptical
about this. I've read good things and bad. I'm not sure what to do. I know
a child who received the shot and has NO feeling on her entire left side.
I've read about the mercury levels in the shot. I've read about a girl that
can no longer walk forward after having the shot. My son is a pretty
healthy fellow, but I do not want him to end up with some strange side
effect due to the shot. I know it is one in a million, but what if that is
my son. When do they expect the "major" outbreak to be? Do they
think it has already occurred? Do they think it will get worse throughout
the winter? I just have so many questions, and I am just honestly not sure
what to do.
Nov 9, 2009 6:30 AM
Tamiko Nicholson :
There is so much information about the swine flu out there right now that
it can be overwhelming. It’s a hard decision for many parents to make.
You have to weigh the risk of getting the shot and related possible side
effects to the risk of your child possibly getting the swine flu and
related possible complications. I’d say the best bet is to talk with your
doctor about it. Hopefully you have a good relationship with your doctor
and he or she would know about your child’s medical history to advise you
on the best course of action.
Nov 9, 2009 6:55 AM
Guest :
I am so unsure of what to do regarding the swine flu vaccination. I have a
4 year old that has bad asthma and I am pregnant with my 7th baby so I have
6 kids 13 and under, but after hearing about these side effects and the
problems that are coming up do not know what to do. there have not been a
lot of kids at my childrens schools that have been ill, but I am so
confused I want the best but am having a really hard time making a
descision.
Nov 9, 2009 8:06 AM
Guest :
My daughter is suffering from Wilson’s disease. Are there any side effects
of H1N1 vaccine for those patients and do you recommend her to get a
shot?
Aleksandar
Nov 9, 2009 4:06 PM
Tamiko Nicholson :
To Mother of Six Kids and One More On the Way,
It’s a hard
decision for sure. I have written some articles specific to kids and the
swine flu that might help:
Dear Aleksandar, I am not a doctor, so I don’t feel I can recommend if
someone should or should not get the 2009 H1N1 shot. I have researched
information for myself and to share with others, to help people in their
decision-making process. If anyone has or their child has any kind of
ongoing medical condition, talking to one’s doctor is the best step.
Oct 22, 2009
