I got my very first flu shot and it gave me a fever that lasted all night. Is that normal, dangerous

Re: I got my very first flu shot and it gave me a fever that lasted all night. Is that normal, dangerous

• fourtsixand2 member

  November 2015 edited November 2015

  Flu shots are safe and recommended during pregnancy.  Since it was your first flu shot, you didn't know what to expect symptom-wise.  To me, it seems like a normal effect of a flu shot.  If you are getting worse, then I'd recommend making a call to your OB.

  
  

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• kalanieileen member

  November 2015 edited November 2015

  annacat27 said:

  I have never had the shot before and when I went to bed that night I got a fever and was in chills for about 6 hours. Is this normal? Was it dangerous?

  I am glad you got the flu shot! Some may experience symptoms after getting the flu shot and some may not. While pregnant, you're immune system is considered compromised, (which is why every pregnant woman should get the damn flu shot), so it's not uncommon for you to experience symptoms. You didn't receive a live strain, so you cannot catch the flu from a flu shot. You also may have caught something BEFORE receiving the flu shot. Many viral/bacterial infections have an incubation period of 1-2 days before you feel any symptom.
  
  You are still susceptible to catching something right now because your body will not produce much antibody for the strains in the flu shot for two weeks. Even after two weeks, still have a chance of catching something but have a greater advantage of beating it with the vaccination.
  
  Pop a Tylenol, drink some pedialyte, and rest. If your fever reaches over 101, call your OB

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• goldie987 member

  November 2015

  Totally normal. The vaccines work by making your immune system respond to what it sees as an invader (in this case the flu) and creating memory cells so if it sees it again, it can mount a response much faster. One way your body can respond to an attack is a fever, where it tries to make the body too warm for the invader to function. Just remember that the flu vaccine isn't actually flu virus, its only the bits your body will use to identify it in the future, it can't make you sick on its own. Like PP said, take some acetaminophen (do NOT take ibuprofin or aspirin) and keep yourself hydrated. If your temp hits 101-102, give your doctor a call.

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• PugsandKisses member

  November 2015

  Totally normal. It is your body's immune response. That means it is working.
  
  Take some Tylenol and drink some water. That helps.
  

  Thank God for Raid.
  
  
  

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