Can the flu shot actually give you influenza? Doctors set the record straight

Some surveys person shown that astir 30% of radical judge getting a flu changeable tin really origin influenza.

This content is apt owed to communal broadside effects linked to the vaccine, including headache, fever, nausea, headache and musculus aches, according to the CDC. Some whitethorn besides acquisition soreness, redness oregon swelling astatine the injection site.

Dr. Samantha Picking, elder manager of immunizations astatine Walgreens, said it’s a "common misconception" that the changeable tin springiness you the flu.

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"No flu vaccine tin origin the flu," Massachusetts-based Picking told Fox News Digital. "Most flu vaccines bash not incorporate a unrecorded microorganism and usage an inactive flu microorganism oregon pieces of the virus."

The nasal spray flu vaccine is simply a live-attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), which means it contains a precise anemic signifier of the flu virus, she said.

Some surveys person shown that astir 30% of radical judge getting a flu changeable tin really origin influenza. (iStock)

Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News elder aesculapian analyst, reiterated that the vaccine is formulated from a "dead, inactivated oregon killed virus," and that "you cannot get the flu from it."

Not everyone experiences broadside effects aft a flu shot, but mild broadside effects are possible.

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The crushed immoderate radical whitethorn consciousness sick aft getting the vaccine, according to Picking, is due to the fact that their immune strategy is responding and gathering protection. 

"Side effects alteration by idiosyncratic — and it’s important to retrieve that if you bash acquisition communal broadside effects similar aches, low-grade fever, oregon symptom and swelling astatine the injection site, it means the vaccine is working," she added.

Not everyone experiences broadside effects aft a flu shot, but mild broadside effects are possible. (iStock)

If broadside effects occur, they statesman soon aft the changeable and usually past 1 to 2 days, according to the doctor. They tin beryllium managed with over-the-counter products.

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"Your pharmacist tin urge over-the-counter products to assistance negociate immoderate insignificant broadside effects you encounter," she said.

Some radical are much apt to acquisition broadside effects from the changeable — peculiarly women, children nether the property of 5, large women and those receiving high-dose vaccines, according to the doctor.

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"While flu changeable broadside effects alteration from idiosyncratic to person, astir stay mild and resoluteness connected their own," she added.

It is imaginable to get the flu close aft getting vaccinated, but not from the shot, Picking said.

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"It takes astir 2 weeks for your assemblage to make afloat immunity aft getting vaccinated, truthful you tin inactive declaration the flu soon aft receiving your flu shot," she said. 

"If that happens, the unwellness didn’t travel from the vaccine — it’s simply due to the fact that your assemblage wasn’t afloat protected yet. This is wherefore the sooner you get vaccinated, the better."

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While the broadside effects of the vaccine are precise akin to the existent flu, the timing and severity of symptoms tin people the quality betwixt the two.

While the broadside effects of the vaccine are precise akin to the existent flu, the timing and severity of symptoms tin people the quality betwixt the two. (iStock)

"Flu changeable broadside effects thin to beryllium mild, look wrong a fewer hours and typically past lone a fewer days," Picking said. "Actual flu symptoms are mostly much terrible and past overmuch longer."

In cases of uncertainty, she recommends getting tested.

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It’s mostly considered harmless to get the flu changeable with a mild illness, similar a acold without a fever.

"However, if you’re moderately oregon severely ill, particularly if you person a fever, it’s champion to hold until you retrieve to get vaccinated," Picking recommended. "When you’re already sick, it’s much hard to separate betwixt vaccine broadside effects and symptoms of being ill, and this besides helps to guarantee optimal immune response."