What Causes Slurred Speech And Unilateral Facial Swelling After Taking A Pneumonia Shot?

Posted on Sun, 11 Mar 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 11 Mar 2018 Answered on

Tue, 19 Mar 2019 Last reviewed on

Question : can the new pneumonia shot have side effects that look like Bells Palsy, my 91 year old mother had the shot given 2 days ago and this morning she woke up with slurred speech and puffiness to one side of her face and sagging more that usual

Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (43 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
We need to exclude brain stroke.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Based on this, I would first like to exclude brain stroke. This would require emergency evaluation and brain CT scan.

Regarding flu shot, rarely, it can cause neurological complications, however, they are rare. In any case, a brain scan would be required for that also.

I hope my answer helps.

Wishing you good health.

Regards,
Dr. Sudhir Kumar, Neurologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad