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I Want To Get My Child A Flu Shot. We

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Posted on Thu, 24 Oct 2019
Question: I want to get my child a flu shot. We are traveling. He will not be protected by the shot while we travel but if he is exposed could getting the shot now make it worse?
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Antoneta Zotaj (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
The flu shot is not expected to make it worse if your child is already exposed to flu

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to 'Ask A Doctor' service,

I carefully read your query and understand your concern.

The flu vaccine takes up to two weeks to give protection. The shot does not contain a live virus so it does not cause flu and should not make it worse if the child gets the flu during this two-week period.

On the other hand, the child may experience local symptoms (redness, swelling, pain) at the site of the injection and in very rare cases fever, so he may feel a little unwell after the shot. These symptoms are very rare but may happen.

To conclude:

- Flu shots take 2 weeks to start to protect a patient from flu
- It is not a live vaccine but contains inactivated (killed) virus so it is unlikely to cause flu or make flu worse if your child gets infected with flu during this 2-week interval
- Rarely, some side effects such as local symptoms, fever, and aches may happen after a flu shot

I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.

Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician

Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Antoneta Zotaj

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 4435 Questions

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I Want To Get My Child A Flu Shot. We

Brief Answer: The flu shot is not expected to make it worse if your child is already exposed to flu Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome to 'Ask A Doctor' service, I carefully read your query and understand your concern. The flu vaccine takes up to two weeks to give protection. The shot does not contain a live virus so it does not cause flu and should not make it worse if the child gets the flu during this two-week period. On the other hand, the child may experience local symptoms (redness, swelling, pain) at the site of the injection and in very rare cases fever, so he may feel a little unwell after the shot. These symptoms are very rare but may happen. To conclude: - Flu shots take 2 weeks to start to protect a patient from flu - It is not a live vaccine but contains inactivated (killed) virus so it is unlikely to cause flu or make flu worse if your child gets infected with flu during this 2-week interval - Rarely, some side effects such as local symptoms, fever, and aches may happen after a flu shot I hope this answers your query. I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed. Regards, Dr. Antoneta Zotaj General and Family Physician