How Long Does Arm Pain From Flu Shot Last

How Long Does Arm Pain From Flu Shot Last?

Getting a flu shot is an important part of staying healthy during the flu season. However, some people may experience arm pain after getting a flu shot. This arm pain is caused by the body's immune response to the vaccine. In most cases, the arm pain will go away within a few days.

What Causes Arm Pain After a Flu Shot?

When you get a flu shot, the vaccine is injected into your muscle. This can cause the muscle to become sore and inflamed. The soreness and inflammation can lead to arm pain.

The arm pain is usually worst during the first 24 hours after the injection. The pain will typically improve over the next few days. In most cases, the arm pain will be gone within a week.

How to Relieve Arm Pain After a Flu Shot

There are a few things you can do to relieve the arm pain after a flu shot. These include:

Apply a cold compress to the sore area.
Take over-the-counter pain medication, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
Rest the sore arm.
Massage the sore area.

When to See a Doctor

In most cases, the arm pain from a flu shot will go away within a few days. However, there are some cases where the pain may be more severe or persistent. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should see a doctor:

The pain is severe and does not improve after a few days.
The pain is accompanied by redness, swelling, or fever.
The pain is so severe that it interferes with your daily activities.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to see a doctor to rule out any other potential causes of the pain.

Conclusion

Arm pain is a common side effect of the flu shot. The pain is caused by the body's immune response to the vaccine. In most cases, the arm pain will go away within a few days. However, if the pain is severe or persistent, you should see a doctor.