Side Effect Or True Reaction From Flu Shot?

[chiroptera]

All this talk about shots made me think this would be a good place to ask this question:

A little background: My twin daughters never got the flu vaccine until 2003 when they were 4 years old. EVERY singe year they get it (and we haven't yet because one, our doctor didn't get it and two, we may be dealing with an antibiotic allergy and one of them has to complete allergy testing in December before they may be able to get the flu and three, I'm not so sure I want them or their brother to have either vaccine), they get severe, I mean entire upper thigh swelling, flaming redness and then entire upper thigh bruising that last for two to three months). There have been times we get the shots around Halloween and even in February their legs are still bruised and tender.

Do any of you or your children have this kind of site reaction? They have also gotten the side effects listed like a mild fever, etc but not very badly.

They are identical twins and their brother who is now 5 has gotten the flu shot since he was eligible at I think 6 months but he has no site reactions or had any side effects that we could ever tell.

Now I'm really wondering..............Thanks so much for any information/experiences!!!

[Jestgar]

Have you taken them to a doctor afterwards to get that checked?

It really sounds like a reaction to the vaccine, I wouldn't get another shot without seriously talking to a doc first.

[tarnalberry]

Definitely a vaccine reaction. (I had a similar reaction, though not lasting as long, from the pneumovax. Only, it's a fairly well known reaction with the pneumovax.) Absolutely, tell the doctor - any type of significant reaction (something other than "I feel a little more tired" that shows the immune system is doing it's job) is worth at least *calling* to let the doctor know. Even if they don't ask you to come in to take a look at it, the reaction should be noted in their files.

Do you know if they have an allergy to eggs? Have they had this (or a milder) reaction to any other vaccines? They could be allergic/reactive to the growth medium (usually eggs), or an adjuvant, or (depending on the vaccine) the preservative. But, if it is an allergy, it really needs to be documented in their histories, and you should mention it any time they get any vaccination - not just mention, but briefly discuss.

I am definitely pro-vaccine; I support the idea of vaccination for the health of individuals and the population. (Vaccine schedules, and the number of vaccines is a different question. ) But even I would consider this a reason to *not* do the flu vaccination for at least a number of years in the future (if not forever), and to ask questions about any other vaccines.

[chiroptera]

Thank you so much for your feedback! Every year I call the doctors and since their bday is in November and often their thighs are still a mess and I just hear "oh, just give them some motrin and put some ice on it." I feel better knowing that my family and I are not the only ones thinking their may be another issue involved. I had one of my twins tested for intolerances as part of the gluten free issue and she came back also egg and casein intolerant. When I stopped those foods all her migraines, GERD and digestive issues went away (along with going gluten free).

[tarnalberry]

Thank you so much for your feedback! Every year I call the doctors and since their bday is in November and often their thighs are still a mess and I just hear "oh, just give them some motrin and put some ice on it."

I would suggest telling the dr's - after you do these things - what symptoms remain, and if it's "they're worse", say that. Bring them in for a visual inspection if you feel your doctors don't "get it". And, consider switching doctors if you think they're really just dismissing you. There may be a case of misunderstanding, no matter how hard you are trying to convey what's going on.