How Do I Treat Post
Over-the-counter pain relievers will help ease those flu-like symptoms , but Dr. Weisenberg doesnt suggest taking them preventatively. Wait until you develop symptoms, he advises. You may not get them at all, and if you do, many times, the pain isnt severe enough that you would have to take a medication, he says. In fact, taking pain relievers prophylactically has been shown to decrease the effectiveness of some vaccines.
How Effective Is The Flu Vaccine
Vaccination gives the best protection against flu.
Flu vaccines help protect against the main types of flu viruses, although there’s still a chance you might get flu.
If you do get flu after vaccination, it’s likely to be milder and not last as long.
Having a flu vaccine may help stop you spreading flu to other people who could be more at risk of serious problems from flu.
It can take 10 to 14 days for the flu vaccine to work.
Common Vaccine Side Effects Versus A Reaction To A Vaccine
Just like how most medications have side effects, vaccines also have varying levels of side effects, Hepfer said. For the most part, vaccine side effects are minor and temporary. Unless your health care provider recommends against a vaccine for you or your child for a health reason, the side effects are not big enough to warrant skipping a vaccine.
The most common side effects from a vaccination are pain, swelling and redness at the injection site. You or your children may also notice a mild fever as well as general soreness on the arm or leg of the injection.
There is a difference between a common side effect and an allergic reaction to a vaccination, Hepfer said. An allergic reaction may be a rash, difficulty breathing or even something more severe. If that happens, you need to contact your health care provider. However, an elevated temperature is generally nothing to be concerned about.
Hepfer notes an elevated temperature after a vaccination is actually a good thing. It means your immune response is working.
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Why We Are Verifying
A VERIFY viewer sent the team this message:
In the February 2021 AARP magazine is an article on covid. On page 14 it says we should not take fever reducing meds like aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen because they could reduce the effectiveness of vaccines by interfering with the immune response. Their referring doctor Offit says not to take these anti fever drugs around the time of the vaccine. If this is true why aren’t we being educated about this. It’s interesting.
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Doctors Say Tylenol Is Best For Treating Your Covid Vaccine Side Effects
Your best bet for relief from side effects is inexpensive and easy to get your hands on at any pharmacy or grocery store. “I would use Tylenol,” Adam Brady, MD, an infectious disease specialist and chair of the Samaritan Coronavirus Task Force, told Samaritan Health Services. Tylenol is made with acetaminophen, a pain reliever and fever reducer , which doesn’t interfere in any major way with your immune response.
William Schaffner, MD, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University, agrees. “If you have a reaction afterwards and need something, take some acetaminophen,” he told a local Fox affiliate in St. Louis.
White House chief COVID adviser Anthony Fauci, MD, has echoed this sentiment, telling CBSN in February, “If someone gets achey or gets a headache and it’s really bothering you I would have no trouble taking a couple of Tylenol for that.” He added if you’re “really having discomfort,” he’d recommend taking “two Tylenol, every six or eight hours or so.”
And for one thing you should never take with Tylenol, check out If You’re Taking Tylenol With This, Your Liver Is in Danger, Experts Say.
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Pain At Injection Site
Pain at the injection site is a common side effect of many vaccines, including Shingrix. This pain is generally mild but can feel like anything from slight discomfort to deep bruising. In some cases, injection site pain can be severe enough to limit arm movement.
To ease this discomfort, you can apply cold packs to the affected area for 20 minutes at a time.
If these arent effective, over-the-counter pain remedies may help. However, if you have injection site pain that is severe or lasts longer than 2 to 3 days, follow up with your doctor.
How Does This Medication Work What Will It Do For Me
This medication belongs to a family of medications known as vaccines. It is used to prevent shingles for people over 50 years of age. Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you have had chickenpox, the virus retreats to the nerves, where it lies dormant for years.
Shingles occurs when the virus becomes active again, causing a blistering rash and severe burning pain. The medication works by boosting the immune system to help prevent shingles. It does not treat shingles.
This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
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Who Should Not Have The Flu Vaccine
Most adults can have the flu vaccine, but you should avoid it if you have had a serious allergic reaction to a flu vaccine in the past.
You may be at risk of an allergic reaction to the flu vaccine injection if you have an egg allergy. This is because some flu vaccines are made using eggs.
Ask a GP or pharmacist for a low-egg or egg-free vaccine.
If you’re ill with a high temperature, it’s best to wait until you’re better before having the flu vaccine.
Can You Get Shingles After Being Vaccinated
Shingles is a viral infection. It presents with a rash followed by an episode of intense pain in the infected area. This is caused by the virus called varicella zoster. This virus also causes chickenpox. If a child has had chickenpox, the virus may not completely go away, lie dormant in the body and come back years later as shingles. Older individuals and immunocompromised individuals are more likely to develop shingles. The shingles vaccine is generally recommended for those older than 50 years of age and immunocompromised individuals .
The United States Food and Drug Administration has approved two vaccines to effectively prevent shingles: Zostavax and Shingrix. Shingrix provides strong protection against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia . Two doses of Shingrix are more than 90 percent effective at preventing shingles and postherpetic neuralgia. The vaccine is more than 85 percent effective for at least the first four years after vaccination. It is possible to get shingles after being vaccinated since no vaccine is 100 percent effective. However, the vaccine can considerably reduce the risk and intensity of shingles episodes.
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How Well Does Shingrix Work
Two doses of Shingrix provide strong protection against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia , the most common complication of shingles.
- In adults 50 to 69 years old with healthy immune systems, Shingrix was 97% effective in preventing shingles in adults 70 years and older, Shingrix was 91% effective.
- In adults 50 years and older, Shingrix was 91% effective in preventing PHN in adults 70 years and older, Shingrix was 89% effective.
- In adults with weakened immune systems, Shingrix was between 68% and 91% effective in preventing shingles, depending on their underlying immunocompromising condition.
In people 70 years and older who had healthy immune systems, Shingrix immunity remained high throughout 7 years following vaccination.
Who Should Get The Shingles Vaccine
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says you should get a shingles vaccine if you:
- Are an adult aged 50 and older
- Have never had shingles
- Have had shingles before
- Aren’t sure whether you’ve had chickenpox
- Have been previously vaccinated with the Zostavax shingles vaccine
- Are age 19 or older and are immunodeficient or immunosuppressed because of disease or therapy
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Preventing The Virus Spreading
If you have the shingles rash, do not share towels or flannels, go swimming, or play contact sports. This will help prevent the virus being passed on to someone who has not had chickenpox.
You should also avoid work or school if your rash is weeping and cannot be covered.
Chickenpox can be particularly dangerous for certain groups of people. If you have shingles, avoid:
- women who are pregnant and have not had chickenpox before as they could catch it from you, which may harm their unborn baby
- people who have a weak immune system, such as someone with HIV or AIDS
- babies less than one month old, unless it is your own baby, in which case your baby should have antibodies to protect them from the virus
Once your blisters have dried and scabbed over, you are no longer contagious and will not need to avoid anyone.
When Should You Get Vaccinated Against Shingles
Most people should be vaccinated against shingles at ages 50 and over. People ages 18 and over who have health conditions or take medications that can weaken the immune system should consider getting the shingles vaccine before age 50.
For people receiving the vaccine at ages 50 and over, there is no particular time and no maximum age when you should be vaccinated.
Vaccination against shingles can be done on its own or alongside other vaccinations, like for the flu or pneumonia. Generally, the vaccine is given in two doses, with the second dose given 2 to 6 months after the first dose.
For people who are receiving the shingles vaccine because of an immune deficiency, the second dose can be given sooner: 1 to 2 months after the first dose.
In this case, if possible, shingles vaccination should be timed with your immune response. This could mean waiting until after a flare-up of your condition has subsided or getting the vaccine before you receive certain immune-suppressing medications.
7 years and remains effective afterward.
Speak with a doctor about how often you should be vaccinated for shingles based on your specific immune system and health concerns.
The shingles vaccine that is currently available in the United States was introduced in 2017, so you may have questions about it. Below are answers to some of the most common questions.
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But Don’t Take Tylenol Before Your Vaccine
Brady explains that it is not recommended to take Tylenol or any other OTC medication in anticipation of potential vaccine side effects. “Certain pain relievers may inhibit the vaccine from doing its job resulting in potentially fewer antibodies,” he said.
Though Fauci says Tylenol isn’t one of them, it’s still best to avoid pre-vaccination. “People are gonna come back and forth and say, ‘Well, it could mute or dampen the immunological response to the vaccine itself.’ I don’t see any biological mechanisms why something like Tylenol would do that,” he told CSBN.
While there is little data on how these medications specifically affect the COVID vaccine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends avoiding them until after your shot. “It is not recommended you take these medicines before vaccination for the purpose of trying to prevent side effects, because it is not known how these medications may impact how well the vaccine works,” the CDC’s website reads. And for more essential COVID news, check out This Common Medication Can Make Your Vaccine Less Effective, Study Says.
How Should I Use This Medication
This medication is given as an injection of 0.5 mL into the muscle of the upper arm. Vaccination consists of 2 doses. After the first injection a second dose is given 2 to 6 months later.
Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are receiving the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is important this medication be given exactly as recommended by your doctor. If you miss an appointment to receive this vaccine, contact your doctor as soon as possible to reschedule your appointment.
This medication should be protected from light and stored in the refrigerator at a temperature of 2°C to 8°C, until it is mixed to be used for injection. Do not freeze this medication. After mixing, the vaccine must be given immediately or stored in the refrigerator for up to 6 hours.
Do not dispose of medications in wastewater or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
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What Everyone Should Know About The Shingles Vaccine
Shingles vaccination is the only way to protect against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia , the most common complication from shingles.
CDC recommends that adults 50 years and older get two doses of the shingles vaccine called Shingrix to prevent shingles and the complications from the disease. Adults 19 years and older who have weakened immune systems because of disease or therapy should also get two doses of Shingrix, as they have a higher risk of getting shingles and related complications.
Your doctor or pharmacist can give you Shingrix as a shot in your upper arm.
Shingrix provides strong protection against shingles and PHN. In adults 50 years and older who have healthy immune systems, Shingrix is more than 90% effective at preventing shingles and PHN. Immunity stays strong for at least the first 7 years after vaccination. In adults with weakened immune systems, studies show that Shingrix is 68%-91% effective in preventing shingles, depending on the condition that affects the immune system.
Who Shouldnt Receive Shringrix
Although vaccines go through rigorous safety testing to ensure they are safe, they arent suitable for everyone. You shouldnt receive Shingrix if you:
- have an active shingles infection
- have a severe illness or a fever of 101.3°F or higher
- have had a severe allergic reaction to Shingrix or any ingredient in the vaccine
- have no immunity to varicella based on a blood test carried out for other reasons
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
If you currently have shingles, another serious illness, or a fever of 101.3°F , wait until these issues have resolved to receive a Shingrix vaccination.
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Does Acetaminophen Impact The Immune Response
Often, people elect to take an over-the-counter pain reliever, or give one to their children, prior to vaccines to help with the side effects. Remember a vaccination can cause injection site soreness and elevated temperature afterwards, Hepfer said. Acetaminophen can both relieve pain and reduce fever, but always speak with your pediatrician first to review dosage.
The discussion about acetaminophens impact on immunity comes with the fever-reducing effect. Typically, fevers are a sign your body is working to kill a virus. As a result, many people worry an over-the-counter drug that reduces fevers will impact how well your body fights the viral agents from a vaccine.
Hepfer said the jury is still out on this. While the administration of acetaminophen has been commonplace after childhood immunizations for fever and/or pain at the injection site, several newer studies question whether acetaminophen makes vaccines slightly less effective, Hepfer said. While acetaminophen is not contraindicated, the American Academy of Pediatrics notes that some pediatricians are no longer recommending it for prophylactic use against vaccine side effects.
Can The Shingles Shot Cause Guillain
Though rare, but Guillain-Barré syndrome can occur with both the shingles vaccine and the shingles virus itself.
Symptoms of this serious autoimmune disorder include a loss of sensation and muscle paralysis that tends to come on quickly, typically spreading up from your lower extremities.
It can be life-threatening, so contact a healthcare provider immediately if you think you may have symptoms.
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Flu Vaccine For Frontline Health And Social Care Workers
If you’re a frontline health and social care worker, you should get your flu vaccine through your employer. They may give you the vaccine at your workplace through the occupational health scheme.
If you cannot get a flu vaccine through your employer, you can still get it if you’re employed:
If you are one of these frontline staff, you can get vaccinated at a pharmacy or the GP surgery you are registered with.
If you are employed by a registered residential care or nursing home, or a voluntary managed hospice provider, you may also be offered vaccination at your place of work when the residents or patients are vaccinated.
Who Can Have The Flu Vaccine
The flu vaccine is given free on the NHS to adults who:
- are 50 and over
- have certain health conditions
- are in long-stay residential care
- receive a carer’s allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick
- live with someone who is more likely to get a severe infection due to a weakened immune system, such as someone living with HIV, someone who has had a transplant, or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
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