Staying up-to-date with yearly flu shots is an important step in maintaining day-to-day health
Some people may be worried about some of the more common side effects, like mild fever, or about feeling faint while getting the vaccine.
All international and national health organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source, agree that it is important to get vaccinated against the flu on a yearly basis, typically in the autumn and winter season, to prevent not just getting ill due to infection with the influenza virus, but also potential serious complications that may arise from getting the flu.
Flu shots are both safe and effective, but some people may still worry about potential side effects. The most common side effects are mild and do not last very long, and they can include low grade fever, headache, muscle aches, and nausea.
These side effects are expected, and they are often a sign that the vaccine is working — it is teaching the body’s immune system to fight the influenza virus, which can result in these mild and temporary inflammatory responses.
Other people might worry about feeling faint during vaccination — this can be due to anxiety around needles or about vaccines.
So what can you do to prevent or mitigate these reactions during and after a flu shot? What you eat and drink before getting the vaccine could help your body go through this experience more smoothly.
