Well, not that misery likes company...but I too had the exact scenario happen. Got my flu shot on 9/21/09 and the following week (9 days later) I noticed a stiff neck on the same side as the shot, pain in and around the ear, extreme fatigue and low grade fever. Went to the doctor who examined me and noticed a "blister" on the top of my ear (needless to say: I didn't have an ear infection) and who promptly diagnosed shingles. My neck, ear, scalp and cheek are all affected at this point, along with severe pain and itching (this is one of the worst illnesses I have EVER experienced) I am an otherwise healthy 50 + female and have no immune deficiencies-in fact had my annual physical this month and all my bloodwork, etc was normal. I plan on submitting a MedWatch form. Although I am well aware that the flu virus and herpes zoster virus are totally different( I am an RN)-I would agree with a previous post that hypothesized that the vaccine may lower the immune system and make it particularly vulnerable to shingles (zoster). Only by submitting this kind of information to the CDC will there be any future chance for the public to be made aware of these potential side effects. Thus, a true informed decision can then be made as to whether or not one should have the flu shot.
Please let me know if anyone else has had a similar experience.
PS Any helpful hints on how to manage the symptoms would be welcome as well! :-(
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Well, not that misery likes company...but I too had the exact scenario happen. Got my flu shot on 9/21/09 and the following week (9 days later) I noticed a stiff neck on the same side as the shot, pain in and around the ear, extreme fatigue and low grade fever. Went to the doctor who examined me and noticed a "blister" on the top of my ear (needless to say: I didn't have an ear infection) and who promptly diagnosed shingles. My neck, ear, scalp and cheek are all affected at this point, along with severe pain and itching (this is one of the worst illnesses I have EVER experienced) I am an otherwise healthy 50 + female and have no immune deficiencies-in fact had my annual physical this month and all my bloodwork, etc was normal. I plan on submitting a MedWatch form. Although I am well aware that the flu virus and herpes zoster virus are totally different( I am an RN)-I would agree with a previous post that hypothesized that the vaccine may lower the immune system and make it particularly vulnerable to shingles (zoster). Only by submitting this kind of information to the CDC will there be any future chance for the public to be made aware of these potential side effects. Thus, a true informed decision can then be made as to whether or not one should have the flu shot.
October 4, 2009 - 12:06pmPlease let me know if anyone else has had a similar experience.
PS Any helpful hints on how to manage the symptoms would be welcome as well! :-(
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