What Causes Inflammation In Arms After A Flu Shot?

Posted on Tue, 27 May 2014

Question: Hi I'm getting ready for a distal pancreatomy and I had to receive a meningitis pneumonia and flu shot well three days after my shot my arm became very red and swollen. My family dr told me it was because the nurse who gave me the injection hadn't pulled out the needle correctly. Also, I was wondering I'm severely allergic to iodine could my reaction be because there was iodine in my vaccine I'm on Medrol right now and will be off for five days prior to my surgery. I've called my surgeon haven't received a call back. Is this going to cause my surgery to be delayed? in your opinion.

Answered by Dr. Deepak Kishore Kaltari (40 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
The vaccine do not contain Iodine

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome t Healthcare-Magic
Greetings of the day

Dear Ms,

I assume that you have been vaccinated for Hemophilus Influenza B (HiB ) and Streptococcus Penumonia(Pneumovax 23). I hopt both the injections were given in different arms and not administered in same arm.
The cause of redness that is inflammation could be due to following causes
1. Improper technique and safety of giving injection: If there has been break in septic technique , even a minor break in aseptic technique especially in individual on steroid ( you are on medrol) may predispose to infection
2. Immune reaction: Some individual may mount excessive immune reaction against the antigen in vaccine, causing inflammation.

These vaccine are free from Iodine and the inflammation is not due to it.

If it is just inflammation or going into abscess(pus) formation will depend on clinical examination. If it is initial inflammation, I would advise the following

1. Hot water fomentation: Local application of hot water bag 15-20 minutes intermittently every session 5-6 times a day will resolve the inflammation and will abort abscess formation
2. Anti-inflammatory : Ibuprofen will be beneficial
3. Antibiotic: Amoxicillin + Clavulinic acid

Ideally vaccine are given atleast 3 weeks prior to planned Pancreatectomy . So this issue will get resolved within that time period and its unlikely surgery will be postponed.

In case you need any further assistance, will be glad to assist you.

Take Care

Best Regards
Dr Deepak Kishore
MBBS,MS,MCH
Consultant Surgeon

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar