Renee016
11-27-2003, 10:49 PM
I took my daughter for a flu shot this year because I heard it was supposed to be a bad year for the flu. Her first shot was at the end of October. I was told that she would have to come back in 4 wks because she never had a flu vaccine before and she was under a certain age. So last Saturday I took her for her booster. Sunday afternoon she came down with a fever and has had it ever since. One night it went up to 104.3. I've been giving her Motrin but the fever won't break - it just goes down a few degrees. She vomitted once Sunday afternoon, she is not eating and is complaining of a "headache in my stomach". She is very lethargic - laying around and moans when she gets up. She has a horrible cough and runny nose.
I took her to the doctor twice - chest sounds clear, ears and throat look fine. Culture for strep was negative. Doctors say it's viral and don't think it has anything to do with the shot she recieved.
Anyone have any ideas or suggestions?
Thanks, Renee
I took her to the doctor twice - chest sounds clear, ears and throat look fine. Culture for strep was negative. Doctors say it's viral and don't think it has anything to do with the shot she recieved.
Anyone have any ideas or suggestions?
Thanks, Renee
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alleycat
11-27-2003, 11:00 PM
Try a cold wash cloth over her face. It might help a little. Other than that I don't really know. It sounds to me like she might have had a reaction with the shot. Some people do worse with getting the shot then they do otherwise. But since the doctors don't beleive that is what it is. I have no clue. Good luck and I hope she feels better.
Timber
11-28-2003, 08:37 AM
Your daughter probably just has a common virus of some sort. Kids get sick A LOT in the fall and winter. It is impossible to get the flu from the flu shot because it has no live virus in it.
Many people call all viral illnesses the flu, but the influenza is actually a specific type of virus. There are tons of other viral infections that can make kids sick.
Many people call all viral illnesses the flu, but the influenza is actually a specific type of virus. There are tons of other viral infections that can make kids sick.
zuzu8
11-28-2003, 09:04 AM
Hi Renee-
Two years ago I went to my doctor's office for a flu shot.
Sat waiting for over an HOUR, surrounded by sneezing, hacking, coughing, sick people!
Got the shot.
Two days later, had the flu.
But it wasn't from the shot per se.
I am sure, in the one hour, that I had gotten infected before the nurse even got that needle into my arm!
If your little girl has a viral infection, there's not much you can do except ride it out, and make her as comfy as possible. Unfortunately antibiotics won't touch it unless it's a bacterial infection, which the doc has ruled out.
If she starts to cough up green or yellow colored phlegm, and the fever won't break, then a secondary bacterial infection might have emerged. Another call to the doc would be in order in that case.
zuzu xx
Two years ago I went to my doctor's office for a flu shot.
Sat waiting for over an HOUR, surrounded by sneezing, hacking, coughing, sick people!
Got the shot.
Two days later, had the flu.
But it wasn't from the shot per se.
I am sure, in the one hour, that I had gotten infected before the nurse even got that needle into my arm!
If your little girl has a viral infection, there's not much you can do except ride it out, and make her as comfy as possible. Unfortunately antibiotics won't touch it unless it's a bacterial infection, which the doc has ruled out.
If she starts to cough up green or yellow colored phlegm, and the fever won't break, then a secondary bacterial infection might have emerged. Another call to the doc would be in order in that case.
zuzu xx
WrkNmom
11-28-2003, 11:08 PM
Question... did they do a CBC? (blood test for blood counts) Reason I ask is because my daughter used to get sick a lot. I mean like every few weeks. They'd always wave a hand at the dr. and say... oh it's viral. Well... 2 weeks ago she got the "flu" as you described. I took her to the ER for it eventually and they did CBC's on her. Turns out she has a blood disorder called neutropenia. I'm not saying your daughter has that or anything. Just saying that they can't be sure it's just a virus unless they have done the counts so I just suggest asking them to do CBC.
PaNik5717
11-28-2003, 11:15 PM
I just got my flu shot and I was told that it is possible to have a reaction, but that it would happen right after the first shot. Also, it take a few weeks to develop the protection from the shot, so it is entirely possible that she got sick before or soon after the shot. Or, she could have picked up another unknown virus. And, finally, there are some really active strains of the flu that weren't included in this year's flu shot.
As long as she doesn't have a bacterial infection, trust that her body will fight this virus. You can help her with all of the home remedies you can think of and lots of fluids. If she doesn't start to improve soon, take her back to check for a new infection or some other illness.
As long as she doesn't have a bacterial infection, trust that her body will fight this virus. You can help her with all of the home remedies you can think of and lots of fluids. If she doesn't start to improve soon, take her back to check for a new infection or some other illness.
JoanneZ
11-29-2003, 03:09 PM
Here are some more thoughts...
The flu shot does not cause the flu, but does supress the immune system enough to allow the flu to take hold if exposed. Many people do suffer from the flu after getting the shot.
There are also many types of flu viruses and the flu shot is targeted at what the medical reaserchers "think" will be the most prevalent in any season. So, getting the flu shot covers only one form of the virus and others may occur simultanously.
I would let it run it's course. Keep her as comfortable as possible - the cool washcloth is helpful, and I always take a warm bath when I have a fever. That may sound odd, but a high temp is part of what happens when the body's immune system is fighting a battle! It is a sign of healing - not sickness. A warm (not hot) bath can actually make her "feel" better.
The flu shot does not cause the flu, but does supress the immune system enough to allow the flu to take hold if exposed. Many people do suffer from the flu after getting the shot.
There are also many types of flu viruses and the flu shot is targeted at what the medical reaserchers "think" will be the most prevalent in any season. So, getting the flu shot covers only one form of the virus and others may occur simultanously.
I would let it run it's course. Keep her as comfortable as possible - the cool washcloth is helpful, and I always take a warm bath when I have a fever. That may sound odd, but a high temp is part of what happens when the body's immune system is fighting a battle! It is a sign of healing - not sickness. A warm (not hot) bath can actually make her "feel" better.
Renee016
11-29-2003, 09:27 PM
Hey, WorkNmom - no, they did not do any bloodwork or urine culture but if she does not get better in a couple of days and I take her back to the doctor, I am going to demand it. They sent her for a chest x-ray today because she still has a cough, she hasn't been eating and she's complaining about her stomach, so they wanted to rule out pneumonia. After waiting at the hospital for 2 1/2 hours, it came out negative, thank goodness.
My daughter is not sick a lot and that is why I'm all the more concerned about this. She has never had an ear infection, never had a stomach virus, never had bronchitis. The only thing she ever had was bacterial pneumonia 2 yrs. ago, which was diagnosed less than 48 hours after a chest x-ray came out negative!!!!!!
This is probably worse on me than it is on her. Thanks for all your advice.
Renee
My daughter is not sick a lot and that is why I'm all the more concerned about this. She has never had an ear infection, never had a stomach virus, never had bronchitis. The only thing she ever had was bacterial pneumonia 2 yrs. ago, which was diagnosed less than 48 hours after a chest x-ray came out negative!!!!!!
This is probably worse on me than it is on her. Thanks for all your advice.
Renee