Bad reaction to PNEUMOVAX shot

[milboy]

I received the pneumovax shot on Tuesday. On Wed, my left arm was extremely sore, I know what "pain" from a shot feels like a day after getting one, and the pain in my arm was something I've never felt before. Also, just from running my fingers across the skin all over my upper left arm; it was unbearable to touch. Today, Thursday; I have this reddish looking "trail" going around my upper arm into my armpit. It's sore as hell! The Nurse said it's "normal" bull shit it's not. I'm afraid it could be blood poison.

 

[KaraBulut]

Well, "normal" isn't the correct word.

What you're seeing is called a cellulitis reaction. It is an immune response to the antigens that are in the PneumoVax.

This happens in about 2 out of every 100,000 shots.

The studies say that people who have this reaction usually see it about 48 hours after the injection. Sometimes if it doesn't improve after a day or so or the arm has significant swelling, they will give a weak antibiotic.

I believe you ran a fever after your H1N1 injection? Did you run a fever after this injection (the Pneumovax)?

Are you by chance being given all these immunizations because you're entering the military or you're going abroad?

 

[milboy]

Hey, I ran a fever yesterday from the H1N1 shot; I'm guessing. Today I feel "hot headed" and have the pain from the red streak going around my arm down into my armpit...when I push on my armpit, it hurts too. I got three shots; pneumo in left arm, and H1N1 & Tetanus shot in my right arm because my doctor said I needed them...nothin to do with me being in the military though.

 

[KaraBulut]

Well- you got 3 of the more reactive immunizations all at once. The only ones missing are yellow fever and pertussis immunizations.

Out of curiosity did the nurse see the injection site today or did he/she just hear you describe it?

Since tomorrow is Friday, I would recommend that you stop by and let the physician see your arm. The reaction is typical of this type of cellulitis reaction but the question is whether it's severe enough to treat and that's something your physician needs to determine based upon examination.

 

[milboy]

I called the nurse today and described it to her; not sure she understood me. She said the redness could be from the actual liquid of the vaccine escaping from the needle & landing on my arm. I called my other doctors' office after hours on call physician and he told me to come in tomorrow if it's the same or worse. I'm having hot flashes now; oh well . I was worried that I may have blood poisoning.

 

[KaraBulut]

Cellultis is a fancy term for inflammation of the skin cells. It can happen from infections- and that's what some people in the south call "blood poisoning".

Cellulitis is a symptom of an immune response. We expect an immune response from an immunization but not typically swelling or red "streaking". It happens but it should be checked by a physician if it doesn't resolve by the morning.

 

[Jasson67]

Milboy

I would go see the doctor if it does not clear up by tomorrow, but by the way it sounds that isn't going to happen.

I had Cellulitis in my knee a year ago and I felt like I had the flu. On and off fever and ached all over. The skin was very sensitive to the touch and was also warm to hot to the touch.

Antibiotics will kill the infection but it does take a while. And the longer you wait the longer it will take to get rid of it.

Keep us posted and I hope you get to feeling much better quickly.

 

[milboy]

Thanks guys for the responses! Today, Friday evening, I can move my arm all around, and it (the muscles) don't hurt anymore. I have a pink streak around my upper arm still, leading into my armpit...and when I touch the pink streak, it still hurts and feels tender, but the pain is "not as bad" as yesterday. I'll give it one more day; the area around the injection site still hurts too...what a fucked up vaccine that is!