Last Wednesday, I took Honey to Walgreen's to get the Shingles vaccine. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but we weren't prepared for the consequences.
The Zostavax website lists possible side effects as
The most common side effects of ZOSTAVAX are:
- Redness, pain, itching, swelling, hard lump, warmth, or bruising where the shot was given
- Headache
Additional side effects reported with ZOSTAVAX are:
- Allergic reactions, which may be serious and may include difficulty in breathing or swallowing
- Chickenpox
- Fever
- Hives at the injection site
- Joint pain
- Muscle pain
- Nausea
- Rash
- Rash at the injection site
- Shingles
- Swollen glands near the injection site (may last a few days to a few weeks)
Granted, the side effects listed aren't as dire as some of the medications advertised on TV, but they are enough to give you pause.
The morning after getting the shot, Honey woke with flu-like symptoms - ached all over, with headache and nausea and a lump at the injection site about the size of a chicken egg. Friday morning, the lump had grown to the size of a goose egg, was painful and hard as a rock. Her other symptoms were probably a little better, but it was hard to tell.
She feels a little better this morning, and we're hoping we see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Having had Shingles, I think I would probably still advise having the vaccine, but at this point, I'm pretty sure Honey would not.
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