Can a Flu shot lead to Shingles?

My mother received her flu shot two weeks ago and now has a rash similar to shingles on the back of her knee. She has a doctor's appt. today. Just wondering, since I live at home with her, is it contagious? How can I avoid getting them? I asked my mom if I had the chicken pox when I was little and she can't remember. Help!!!

Pamela

Yesterday I got the inactivated flu vaccine. I have been getting it for years and have never had a bad reaction to it before. However, within one hour, I had a flat like red rash about two inches above my waist on each side of the center. Each area was about two by four inches in size. It not only itched very badly but was also very painful and stinging. I tried wearing my husband's large cotton tee shirt which was older and soft, but was not able to stand for even that to touch my skin. I tried Benadryl, every anti-itch topical medication that was in the house, and a spray made for sunburn. When I went to bed, I piled pillows around to keep my sheet and shirt from touching the area. This morning it is much better but still feels warm to the touch so I am nervous that it will flare up again.

I recently had my first flu shot and I cannot imagine that I will sustain another one in the future.

The government provides its' employees with flu shots every year. I was unsure about getting one myself but this is the information that was provided to the employees.

What are the benefits? Influenza is a contagious disease which is usually spread by coughing, sneezing and nasal secretions. Common symptoms would be: fever, sore throat, chills, fatigue, cough, headache and muscle aches.

The Center of Disease Control provided each employee with information on who should receive the shot and why people should get vaccinated.

Who should get vaccinated?

Some people are more prone to becoming sick with influenza and can lead to more dangerous conditions. For example, people with heart or breathing conditions. Children and the elderly are also more prone to obtain a more dangerous disease. Anyone who works with children, elderly or work in a health related agency or hospitals are usually forced to obtain flu shots or they cannot return to work until they are immunized.

What about the rest of us?

Anyone who wants to reduce the likelihood of becoming ill or spreading the illness should be immunized.

You can lean more about influenza vaccinations by contacting your physician, contact your local or state health department or contact the Center of Disease Control and Prevention at 1-800-232-4636 or they can also be accessed on the web at www.cdc.gov/flu.

My first experience was not a good one. Within an hour of receiving the vaccine, I was lethargic and my eyes began to poof out. By the end of the night, my eyes were completely red, I had what I called “goo” coming out of the corner of my eyes, numb lips, severe headache and all I wanted to do is sleep. I did not experience shingles but I can be certain that I will not return next year for a follow up.

After talking to co-workers, it appears to me that most people get sick the first time that they receive the shot and then become immune for the following years. I cannot comment on personal experience and clearly, I don't think I will try again next year. It has been one week since my flu shot and I FINALLY feel better.

Last year I had shingles two weeks after the flu shot. I had the flu shot recently and my arm swelled up and I had a rash from the site of the shot to my elbow. This lasted several days.

I'm amazed at how many posts we've had in the past several weeks about the flu vaccine and shingles. This is one of the reasons I started EmpowHer. Clearly, the CDC isn't reporting anything, but yet it sounds like we're seeing women and children who are having "shingle like symptoms" after having the shot.

It'll be interesting to see how many more posts we get on this thread.

Please keep us posted as to what happens with you and if you are diagnosed with shingles.

I'd love to be able to aggregate this type of information and make sure we let the CDC know what we're seeing here at EmpowHer. This is how we're going to change Health Care. It's a matter of us sharing this information with one another.

Everyone should know what the possible side effects are from any drug or shot.

Thanks for coming to EmpowHer and sharing your story. I hope you're feeling better.

Best in health,

Michelle