# flu shots and the flu **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 12, 2005, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flu-shots-and-the-flu/335200 "2005-12-12T02:33:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![surlyprince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8baadc/32.png) [@surlyprince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/surlyprince)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flu-shots-and-the-flu/335200/1 "2005-12-12T02:33:02Z")
My nephew (almost 2yo) had a flu shot Monday. He spent some time in my house this weekend, and now everyone in the house is spewing fluid from both ends. Is it possible that we caught the flu from him, or is this just a coincidence? I work retail, and the others in the house work for the school district, so it’s not like we’re isolated, but to all get sick simultaneously would suggest a common source. I was under the impression that the “new” shots didn’t make you sick. I’m not seeking medical advice, just have a thirst for knowledge, and want to know whom to blame:) ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flu-shots-and-the-flu/335200/2 "2005-12-12T02:45:36Z")
The “flu” shot is designed to prevent influenza, an extremely nasty viral respiratory infection associated with high fever (104 is not uncommon in adults), horrendous coughing, severe aches and pains, and loss of appetite. It rarely causes vomiting or diarrhea in adults, altho it can cause some such symptoms in younger children. I would doubt that the symptoms such as you describe would be in any way related to the influenza vaccine. Some folks get mild low grade temperature elevations and mild aches from the shots, but they’re the exception rather than the rule. Rarely, younger kids may vomit after the shot. From the CDC website: [http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm](http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm) > [@](#): > > Vaccine Side Effects (What to Expect) > Different side effects can be associated with the flu shot and LAIV. > > The flu shot: The viruses in the flu shot are killed (inactivated), so you cannot get the flu from a flu shot. Some minor side effects that could occur are: > > Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given > Fever (low grade) > Aches > If these problems occur, they begin soon after the shot and usually last 1 to 2 days. Almost all people who receive influenza vaccine have no serious problems from it. However, on rare occasions, flu vaccination can cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. As of July 1, 2005, people who think that they have been injured by the flu shot can file a claim for compensation from the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). For more information go to [http://www.hrsa.gov/osp/vicp/](http://www.hrsa.gov/osp/vicp/). > > LAIV: The viruses in the nasal-spray vaccine are weakened and do not cause severe symptoms often associated with influenza illness. (In clinical studies, transmission of vaccine viruses to close contacts has occurred only rarely.) > > In children, side effects from LAIV can include > runny nose > headache > vomiting > muscle aches > fever > > In adults, side effects from LAIV can include: > runny nose > headache > sore throat > cough QtM, MD ---
**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flu-shots-and-the-flu/335200/3 "2005-12-12T03:17:40Z")
I would like to briefly hijack this thread to point out that I read the question, and thought, “well this sounds interesting”, then I saw that **Qadgop the Mercotan** had replied, I HAD to read it because every single time I’ve read a reply he’s posted about medicine, it’s made sense and explained in a way that’s accessible to a dope like me. I’d say I wish i had a doctor like him, but I do. In fact, I’ve recommended Dr. Beth to others for those very reasons, no question is too dumb for her to answer, and she’s not done answering til she’s comfortable that I know what I need to know. Thanks for being here **Q!** ---
**Author:** ![Critical1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flu-shots-and-the-flu/335200/4 "2005-12-12T03:28:01Z")
iana doc but multiple peeps coming down with those symptoms sounds like food poisoning to me, did you all eat the same thing at some point? ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flu-shots-and-the-flu/335200/5 "2005-12-12T05:12:28Z")
The vaccine is “grown” in chicken eggs (which, after the vaccine is extracted, are destroyed.) Is the reaction in the OP consistent with a chicken egg allergy? ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flu-shots-and-the-flu/335200/6 "2005-12-12T05:17:17Z")
> [@AskNott](#): > > The vaccine is “grown” in chicken eggs (which, after the vaccine is extracted, are destroyed.) Is the reaction in the OP consistent with a chicken egg allergy? Not considering that it was spread to other people, no. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flu-shots-and-the-flu/335200/7 "2005-12-12T05:28:21Z")
> [@AskNott](#): > > The vaccine is “grown” in chicken eggs (which, after the vaccine is extracted, are destroyed.) Is the reaction in the OP consistent with a chicken egg allergy? Is it chicken? My doctor told me that the virus was incubated in DUCK eggs. Hey, **QtM** , I have a very slight allergy to eggs (which precludes me taking the shot). In your experience (and I’m NOT asking you for medical advice, or to overrule my MD’s opinion), does the minor risk of a reaction from the allergy outweigh the benefit of having the vaccine? ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flu-shots-and-the-flu/335200/8 "2005-12-12T15:04:15Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > Is it chicken? My doctor told me that the virus was incubated in DUCK eggs. > > Hey, **QtM** , I have a very slight allergy to eggs (which precludes me taking the shot). In your experience (and I’m NOT asking you for medical advice, or to overrule my MD’s opinion), does the minor risk of a reaction from the allergy outweigh the benefit of having the vaccine? Risk quantification is a grey area. Given that I don’t know your risk factors for either the flu or for extremely dire consequences from the flu, or for the risk of dying from eggs, I wouldn’t begin to guess. Tho in general, I’d recommend anyone with an egg allergy avoid the flu vaccine, as for the _average_ individual, allergic reactions are probably more deadly than cases of the flu. And thanks, **Mr Bus**! ---
**Author:** ![surlyprince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8baadc/32.png) [@surlyprince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/surlyprince)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2005, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/flu-shots-and-the-flu/335200/9 "2005-12-12T19:11:55Z")
Regarding the food poisoning possibility, this is highly unlikely since we all work different schedules, and rarely eat together, or even the same thing. (we eat out frequently) But within hours, we all took turns vomiting. The only common denominator I can see is the exposure to my nephew. I have just been informed that my brother was ill for two days after his son was vaccinated, so the flu shot may not have been the culprit. Or maybe it was. What do I know? SP