Why arm hurts after flu shot

The body takes a look at what's in the vaccine and starts developing an immune response. Your body is developing antibodies to whatever infection you're trying to prevent — in this case, influenza.

That causes some swelling, redness, a little discomfort. In other words, it's just inflammation. One way to look at it is that the soreness is a sign that the vaccine is doing its job. But if you're among the lucky ones who don't experience soreness, that doesn't mean the flu shot isn't working. Different people have different reactions to the vaccine. Different vaccines can also cause different reactions. For example, Schechter noted that the Tdap vaccine is known to be one of the more uncomfortable shots, likely because it's providing vaccines for three separate diseases: tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough.

Jake Deutsch, M. Conway, Esquire Ronald C. Homer, Esquire Christina M. Ciampolillo, Esquire Lauren E. Faga, Esquire Meredith K. Daniels, Esquire Joseph M. I just got the flu shot — Why does my arm hurt? What can I do to avoid flu shot pain? Consider these methods for reducing flu shot pain following : Avoid Tensing Your Muscle During Vaccination : Take some deep breaths and clear your mind of any worry before you receive the shot.

Move Your Arm After the Shot : Moving your arm post-injection aids in spreading the vaccination away from the injection site. While the initial pressure and discomfort may lead you instinctively to keep your arm still, the high concentration of medication in one spot can lead to muscle soreness later.

Use a Cool Compress : As you begin to experience muscle soreness, acting quickly can go a long way toward a speedy recovery and reducing discomfort. A cool compress acts twofold to reduce inflammation and numb the nerves in the skin. You've probably heard a lot that you should move your arm after you get vaccinated, and experts say that's sound advice.

Adalja points out that there are no studies on just how often you should move your arm after your shot, but Holmes suggests aiming to get a little movement and stretching in there every hour for about six hours after your shot.

At the same time, Dr. Schaffner advises against working your arm too hard after you're vaccinated. If you still develop soreness after moving your arm, you can try putting ice on the spot, Timothy Murphy, MD, senior associate dean for clinical and translational research at the University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine, tells Health. And if you're still uncomfortable after that, Dr. Just don't stress and assume something is wrong if you develop a sore arm—it's actually a positive.

Murphy says. To get our top stories delivered to your inbox, sign up for the Healthy Living newsletter. Here's How Experts Explain It. By Korin Miller October 29, Save Pin FB More. Credit: Getty Images.