Medicine has come a long way. Through intensive science and research, scientists have discovered ways to combat numerous diseases using medication and immunization.
So, if you want to protect yourself and your family from preventable diseases such as tuberculosis, pneumonia, measles, and even different flu variants, you should consider getting each one’s recommended vaccinations.
In most nations, the eradication of dangerous infectious diseases, such as smallpox and polio, is a testament that vaccinations are a necessary component of a society’s functioning public health system.
However, much like any manufactured medication, vaccines might come with side effects. Just having a needle inserted into one’s arm may already cause slight pain. For most people, such a vaccine side effect can be considered minor and even negligible. However, some may experience numbness after flu shot.
For those who are planning on getting their vaccines pretty soon, here are some of the six possible vaccine side effects to expect and prepare for:
Six Possible Vaccine Side Effects to Expect and Prepare for
Below are some of the six possible Vaccine side effects to expect and prepare for:
1. Reactions Emanating From The Injection Site
Most people typically complain of some reactions right at the spot where they got vaccinated. Some of the typical responses may include swelling, redness, tenderness, warmth, or pain. These are mild effects that usually go away a few hours after undergoing the immunization shot.
Don’t panic if you experience such symptoms because they’re deemed normal. These reactions indicate that your immune system is active and responding to the vaccine.
If your symptoms persist or you notice additional vaccine side effects, you would need to address them immediately. It’d be best to visit a private general practitioner to air your concerns so that they can help you out.
2. Feeling Sick
Body aches, joint pain, headaches, and sometimes low-grade fever are all common effects of most types of vaccines. Some people also complain of feeling under the weather, but they can’t pinpoint what’s causing their feeling of sickness after getting immunized.
Suppose you experience these vaccine side effects a day or two after a flu jab. In that case, it’s better to call in sick and take a good amount of rest at home.
But if you must go to work, you can take over-the-counter medications to help with the fever and pain. In addition, it’s advised to take it slow and refrain from stressing yourself out during your whole shift.
3. Dizziness And Fainting
Some people complain of dizziness or feeling lightheaded after getting vaccinated. In some cases, people faint after getting a shot. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the reaction to pain and anxiety may cause fainting after immunization.
Fainting is a more common occurrence in adolescents after getting jabbed with HPV (Human papillomavirus), Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis), and MCV4 (Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine).
In the event that you feel anxious or afraid of vaccines, it’s a good idea to have someone with you when you get your jab. Dizziness and fainting might not be severe symptoms, but they can lead to injuries if not dealt with properly. Thus, having someone who can guide and assist you at the vaccination area can help prevent you from falling or getting injured.
If you have a history of fainting during vaccinations, inform your doctor so they can make necessary provisions for you during your vaccine appointment.
They may let you sit for a while after the shot, or they may give you the vaccine while you’re lying down to prevent the chances of injury caused by loss of consciousness.
4. Diarrhea Or Vomiting
Some people complain of stomach problems, loose bowel movement (LBM), loss of appetite, or even vomiting after completing a vaccine. These minor discomforts are often said to be temporary and will dissipate naturally within a few days.
Remember that scientists have designed vaccines to encourage your immune system to create antibodies as a response to a virus, hence, these bodily responses are believed to be typical.
If you develop such symptoms, drink plenty of water or fruit juices to rehydrate. If your LBM worsens or persists, call your doctor immediately.
5. Severe Allergic Reactions
Vaccines are generally safe and effective. However, despite the clinical trials and studies conducted before their release to the general public, there’s no way for pharmaceutical companies to know how your immune system will react because each one’s unique.
Thus, there will be a handful of people who, upon getting vaccinated, may experience adverse effects like a severe allergic reaction. Typically, anaphylaxis or severe allergy to vaccines show up within 15 minutes of the jab.
Thus, if you have allergies, it’d be a good idea to stay at the clinic or hospital for 20 to 30 minutes after getting a vaccine shot. Call a healthcare staff immediately if you experience the following:
- An itchy, warm rash starts to develop on the injection site and other parts of the body;
- When you start feeling sudden swelling in your throat, neck, face, and other parts of the body;
- Wheezing, coughing, and difficulty of breathing;
- Too fast or too slow heartbeat;
- Stomach pain and nausea; and
- A sudden feeling of extreme tiredness.
It’ll help if you act fast when you develop these anaphylactic symptoms because they can be life-threatening. If you have left the vaccination site already and suddenly experienced the above signs, call for emergency responders ASAP.
Also, you or your doctor will have to report the incident to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) or any other health officials available in your locality. Don’t worry for your medical history and patient data will remain anonymous and protected.
6. Numbness, Muscle Weakness, And Paralysis
Not all reactions to vaccines show up 12 to 24 hours after vaccination. In some rare instances, adverse reactions to any shot may develop slowly and show up after 2 to 42 days.
Some vaccines may trigger Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)-a disease characterized by numbness, muscle weakness, and even paralysis.
There could be one chance in a million that these signs may show up in people who’ve completed their hepatitis, tetanus, influenza, or even COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease-2019) shots.
GBS is a neurological condition that attacks and damages your nerve cells. But since you have no idea if you’ll be the unlucky person to experience this problem after your immunization, it would be best to know the following symptoms so you can act immediately:
- Numbness or tingling of hands and feet;
- Weakness of legs and arms;
- Inability to walk or climb stairs;
- Severe body pain that worsens during the evening;
- Difficulty of breathing;
- Vision problems;
- Facial numbness or paralysis; and
- Blood pressure and heart rate problems.
GBS is a progressive disease, so if you experience sudden and persistent tingling and numbness in your arms and feet, especially after getting a vaccine, consult your doctor immediately to rule out the possibility of this condition.
Bottom Line
Vaccines save lives, so you must consider getting a job if you need one. But before you get injected, it’s always prudent to know the possible vaccine side effects you’ll likely experience after vaccination.
By being aware, you’ll be in a better position to address its effects and know your rights in case you suffer severe or adverse reactions to a particular vaccine.