What Causes Redness And Swelling On Arm After Taking Meningitis Pneumonia Shot?

Posted on Tue, 3 Jun 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. T Shobha Deepak (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
there is no iodine content in vaccine

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing to Healthcare-Magic

Dear Ms XXXXXXX

Hemphilus Influenza B vaccine and Pneumococcal vaccine do not contain Iodine in it. Even if the Iodine was utilized in skin preparation it is unlikely to cause the erythema and redness you are having.
Ideally the vaccines are atleast given 3 weeks before planned Surgery(Pancreatic ressection) . The most likley cause for erythema and redness will be breach in aseptic technique for giving the vaccine. Further assesment will depend on clinical examination to know whether it is just inflammation or going for abscess formation.
It would be helpful if you could provide clinical phoyograph for assessment. In the meantime local application of hot water fomentation and anti inflammatory drugs will be beneficial.

Do get back to me

Regards
Dr T Shobha
MBBS,MD

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad