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Can a Flu shot lead to Shingles?

By Expert HERWriter October 11, 2008 - 9:42pm
 
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flu shot

dear michelle, a 76 year old friend recently had a flu shot and developed a case of shingles. any connection? coincidental? thanxs so much

Jean

Has anyone ever heard of this or had this happen to them?

Michelle

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EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

My 87 year old mother got a flu shot in Sept. 2018 and within 2 weeks she got the Shingles. I believe too that the flu shot makes you start fighting the flu and leaves your immune system weakened for other viruses to invade.

October 26, 2018 - 8:11am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

I agree. I think it is a money making scam at best and something planned at worst. When something is free there is usually a catch to it. I hope you will find recovery. Earthclinic.net has many remedies to try but everyone needs to get the antiviral tratment. Might want to find more natural painkillers.

September 19, 2018 - 6:50pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I am a 55 year old female and received the flu shot three weeks ago....I started notice a small headache and swelling that evening and the full blown shingle headache and rash developed on my forehead within 48 hours after the shot. My neurologist said that shingles can definitely be set off by the flu shot in was not coincidence.

November 29, 2017 - 6:41pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

I agree. I had a high dose flu shot and developed a headache immediately. Nine days later I developed a small rash on my forehead and then it spread over my left eyelid. I was diagnosed with shingles. Fortunately, the opthamologist stated that it did not impact the eye itself. After 6 weeks, the rash is gone, but the swelling on my eyelid isn't. I agree that there should be a warning label that indicates that this can happen to people who carry the shingles virus. I had chicken pox 51 years ago and it has remained dormant until the flu shot. I filed a report with VAERS, the agency that communicates adverse effects to the FDA and CDC. I thing all individuals should do this because doctors typically don't for various reasons. I can say that I will try to stay healthy and support my immune system by diet and exercise. NO MORE VACCINES FOR ME!!!!!

March 21, 2018 - 6:57am
HERWriter Guide (reply to Anonymous)

Thank you for letting us know that Anon. I have always believed this and your doctor has confirmed this. Too many doctors are afraid to say a negative word about vaccines but the fact is, they do have side effects for some people.
I'm sorry this has happened to you; I hope you feel better soon.
Best,
Susan

November 30, 2017 - 2:43pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

From 1978 thru 2010 I received annual flu shots with no problems. In 2011, I received the flu shot on a Friday. Two hours later my abdominal area began to hurt - excruciating pain. On Monday, the blisters appeared. I saw two doctors: Shingles. Both doctors said the flu shot had nothing to do with the shingles, that it was just a coincidence. So in 2012, I received the flu shot. Two hours later the abdominal pain began, three days later the blisters appeared. Shingles again right after the flu shot. So this is no coincidence. I have never taken another flu shot.

My advice: Use appropriate language with your doctor. The flu shot does not CAUSE shingles. The flu shot TRIGGERS shingles. If you receive a flu shot, write down the manufacturer name, vaccine name and lot number. If you develop shingles, complete a VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Effects Report). Go to www.vaers.hhs.gov. The medical profession, vaccine manufacturers and US government will never, ever, ever admit that the flu shot triggers shingles because the flu kills so many people and the vaccine manufacturers make the big bucks. Shingles side effect is "collateral damage". Good luck.

November 23, 2017 - 9:27am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Hello I am 31 yo, extremely healthy. I got the flue vaccine last Wednesday felt really achy, but it went away. Then 5 days after I defeloped a pinful lymphnode on my groin and a rash on my inner thigh. I am a doctor my self and the lesions look like shingles, it is the first time in my life I have had this and I get the flu shot every year since I work at the hospital.

November 23, 2017 - 1:25am
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I started with a swollen gland on the left side of my neck and my left earlobe was extremely painful. I didn't go to the doctor because I thought it was just a swollen gland or a tight muscle that would get better. Well, when it didn't, I went to a doctor. Sadly, he told me I had an outer ear infection and gave me antibiotics. The next day I decided I didn't believe him. I went to my ENT and she told me that I had shingles. It was as clear as day to her. Always get a second opinion. Anyway, I also got a flu shot a couple of weeks ago. I don't know if it's related because I had gotten flu shots in prior years and never had a problem.

November 21, 2017 - 7:55pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

I developed a severe R flank pain then shingles 4-5 days after the 2017 Flu shot. A good friend also had the same thing happen a week before. I suspect a connection. Ideally these would all be reported to VAERS — as possible reactions to the vaccine.

November 16, 2017 - 10:58pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous (reply to Anonymous)

I am a health professional and flu champion whereby I am responsible for encouraging staff to have the flu vaccine in order to protect older residents that we care for. I therefore decided for the first time ever to get the flu jab in late October 2018, to 'lead the way'. I have had shingles before and have a susceptibility when I get stressed, however I was feeling well when I had the jab. Approximately 1 week after the jab I felt exhausted to the point of not being able to get out of bed for 36 hours. I developed the shingles rash on the roof of my mouth and severe pain in the left quadrant of my head. I saw my GP who diagnosed shingles and prescribed Anti-Virals x 7 days. Almost 8 weeks later I have just completed 3 courses of the medication as the virus kept attacking. I am 100% sure that the flu jab may have had properties to build immunity to the flu virus, but it has most certainly compromised my susceptibility to the shingles virus. I have been really ill and very down and even depressed by this episode and will never have a flu vaccine again.

December 30, 2018 - 11:40am
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