The swine flu outbreak has and continues to cause fear and worry in families across America. The disease was enough of a concern to jump start work on a vaccination that is going to be a part of the fall rotation of vaccination for many people. However, others fear the vaccination more than the disease with worries about its effectiveness, as well as its possible side effects. After all, vaccinations largely work via a tiny amount of the dead virus being put into the human body to give the immune system exposure to it that it can handle and so when the virus comes, the immune system can more easily destroy it. This comes with some side effects for some people, though they are almost always mild.
The most common side effects for the swine flu vaccination are as follows:
- Soreness at the site of the injection (most commonly on the arm)
- Aching muscles
- Fever
- Feeling ‘off’, minor flu-like feeling
- In children, there may be headaches or chills
These are the same side effects one might get from any flu vaccination and should be nothing to worry about. They almost always only last one or two days. If you have any true concerns, speak to your doctor about it; and ask about any painkillers to take if any soreness or aching muscles bothers you. Most likely, it will be recommended that you take painkillers and have some rest. Children may find Children’s Tylenol to be soothing for example. However, always check with your doctor to find out exactly what you can take for any discomfort.
Even these minor side effects are uncommon, about the same rate as with any influenza vaccination. They are certainly no reason to not go in for the vaccination if you think you might be at risk, if you have young children, are pregnant (second to third trimester) or elderly.
The swine flu vaccination is still in the works and is expected to take anywhere from another two to four months to mass produce safely. However, getting it when it is available as soon as possible will give the medicine the time it needs to work before flu season hits in force, and in the case of swine flu, in preparation for another outbreak, should one occur.