Why does the Flu shot make some people sick?

Question

My son is 3 and a half, at that age they give them the flu shot in 2 half doses 1 month apart. After BOTH shots, he got a nasty, lingering bug, with cold like symptoms (runny nose, congestion, and cough). The nurse told us that there is no way for the shot to make him sick because there is nolive virus contained in the shot. My aunt also got sick the same way, and her nirse/doctor said the same thing to her. So are they lying? Why are they both sick, and can anything be done to prevent this short of avoiding the flu shot in the future? What exactly IS in the flu shot?

Answer 1

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FLU Vaccine Ingredients depend upon the manufacturer
FluVirin, FluShield, FluZone, FluMist, Etc, Etc.

All are made using egg or chicken protein
Influenza viruses (most! are inactivated)
Neomycin, polymyxin, gentamycin - antibiotics
Thimerosal [mercury] - a harmful preservative
Betapropiolactone - a disinfectant
Nonoxynol - used to kill or stop growth of STDs
Octoxinol 9 - a vaginal spermicide
Formaldehyde - embalming fluid used to kill viruses

Ingredient and associated risk list for the Fluzone vaccine:

Chick Embryo - this can be problematic for those allergic to eggs or egg products

Formaldehyde - (Embalming Fluid) Formaldehyde has been classified as a human carcinogen (cancer-causing substance) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and as a probable human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). Research studies of workers exposed to formaldehyde have suggested an association between formaldehyde exposure and cancers of the nasal sinuses, nasopharynx, and brain, and possibly leukemia

Octoxinol-9 - This is a spermacide (kills sperm) Chills; confusion; dizziness; fever; lightheadedness; muscle aches; sunburn-like skin rash that is followed by peeling of the skin

Triton X-100 - Harmful if swallowed. Causes severe eye irritation. May be harmful if inhaled or in contact with skin. Toxicology not fully investigated. The product may contain traces of ethylene oxide or dioxane, which are probable human carcinogens.

Gelatin- Made from the boiled bones, skins and tendons of animals.

Thimerisol (mercury derivative) - Several cases of acute mercury poisoning from thimerosal-containing products were found in the medical literature with total doses of thimerosal ranging from approximately 3 mg/kg (Your vaccine contains 25 ug per 5mL dose) to several hundred mg/kg These studies reported local necrosis, acute hemolysis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, acute renal tubular necrosis, and central nervous system injury including obtundation, coma, and death

Sodium Phosphate - Phosphates are slowly and incompletely absorbed when ingested, and seldom result in systemic effects. Such effects, however, have occurred Symptoms may include vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, blood chemistry effects, heart disturbances and central nervous system effects. The toxicity of phosphates is because of their ability to sequester calcium. Irritant due to its acidic nature. May cause inflammation and pain on prolonged contact, especially with moist skin. May sequester calcium and cause calcium phosphate deposits in the kidneys.

Sodium Chloride(Salt) - Very large doses can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and prostration. Dehydration and congestion occur in most internal organs. Hypertonic salt solutions can produce violent inflammatory reactions in the gastrointestinal tract. May irritate damaged skin; absorption can occur with effects similar to those via ingestion.

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Asker's Comment:

Thanks to all who answered.
Knowledge is power, and the nurse either had none, or didn't want to share.

Answer 2

Because it is actually a small amount of the influenza virus. It is supposed to be just enough to help your body build up antibodies to fight the virus, but some people do get sick from it.

Answer 3

I recently enquired about the flu shot and was told that one can get sick from it because it contains the actual virus that causes the flu.
The idea is to expose the immune system to small amounts of the virus so that it produces antibodies that fight off the flu.
Unless there are different compositions of the flu vaccine, my info is that the vaccine can make you ill.

Source(s):

my pharmacist

Answer 4

It's a strain of the virus, they believe would be hitting for the year, its a small amount of it, so your body can build up a tolerance to it, if it is spread around. Personally I never had one, and rarely get sick. On top of that half the time, they are not correct with the strain for the year. They guess.

Answer 5

the flu shot is a vaccine made from the protiens of DEAD VIRUSES, the virus itself doesn't even go into the vaccine, just it's denatured protiens. These protiens ellicit a reaction from the body to build an immunity to them. I think it is more likely that your family experiences a sensitivity to the base the vaccine is made in, and not the vaccine itself, because truly, there is nothing in the vaccine that can cause illness.

Source(s):

RN

Answer 6

Here's the deal, John. When we get a flu shot, we're receiving an inactive (dead) form of the flu virus. Our body then produces antibodies to the viral cells. This is what helps us fight off the flu should we be exposed to it.
Your aunt and son had a reaction to their shots. This is NOT uncommon, at all. Many people report having the same symptoms as your son and aunt. Trust me when I say that influenza...the flu...is MUCH worse than having a few body aches for a few days

Every medicine we take, anything we put into our bodies, has the potential to cause a reaction...everything .

Answer 7

Because it is full of toxins. Did you know that your son was injected with mercury? I would avoid future flu shots. Check out these links:
http://www.mercola.com/article/vaccines/…
http://www.informedchoice.info/cocktail.…
http://www.thinktwice.com/
http://www.nvic.org/
http://www.vaclib.org/exemption.htm
http://www.909shot.com/state-site/state-…