{"id":53558,"date":"2022-09-07T09:30:11","date_gmt":"2022-09-07T13:30:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=53558"},"modified":"2025-11-26T12:58:05","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T17:58:05","slug":"what-to-avoid-after-flu-shot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/what-to-avoid-after-flu-shot\/","title":{"rendered":"What to avoid after the flu shot"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As summer changes to fall, your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">doctor\u2019s office<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pharmacy<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> begin offering <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">seasonal flu shots<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CDC<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> recommend that everyone older than six months get an <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">annual flu vaccination<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> during <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flu season<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014unless they have a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">health condition<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that prevents them from getting it. That means before the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">end of October<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> you should be heading in for a jab.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you catch the flu, you could be in for unpleasant symptoms like fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">muscle aches<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and respiratory symptoms that can last for weeks and be quite severe. Some people are at <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">high risk<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for complications, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">severe illness<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and even <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hospitalizations<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014including the very young, the elderly, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pregnant women<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and people with certain <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">medical conditions<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flu illness<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> kills people<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> every year, so protecting yourself and vulnerable members of your community is important. Just keep in mind that the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flu shot<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has some mild <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">side effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and there are a few recommendations for what to avoid after your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flu shot<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/flu-shot-survey\/\"><b>Flu shot<\/b><b> survey<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"flu-shot-side-effects\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flu shot<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">side effects<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most people experience a few common <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/flu-shot-reactions\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">side effects<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> after a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flu vaccine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These are nothing to worry about and usually go away on their own after a day or so. Common reactions include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Site reactions like <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">soreness<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">injection site<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Headache<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fever<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nausea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Muscle aches<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fatigue<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cFeeling a little tired after getting a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flu shot<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is normal. This is because your body works hard to build immunity to the virus,\u201d says <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/dralicewilliams.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alice Williams<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, MD, a physician in New Mexico. Mild <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">side effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are just a sign that your body is creating an <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">immune response<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and building <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">antibodies<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to protect you from infection. In other words, they mean the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flu shot<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is working.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are, however, some serious <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">side effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flu shot<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that you should not ignore. Serious <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">side effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flu shot<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fainting<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Difficulty breathing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shoulder injury at the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">injection site<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Allergic reaction<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Severe weakness, which can be a sign of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Guillain-Barr\u00e9 syndrome<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you think you\u2019re having an <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">allergic reaction<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you may have <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hives<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, swelling, trouble breathing, or a rash. Call 911 or seek medical attention immediately.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-to-avoid-after-a-flu-shot\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What to avoid after a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flu shot<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Generally, if you feel well, you can continue living your life as usual after your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flu shot<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. \u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are no activity restrictions after a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flu shot<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,\u201d says <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/momlovesbest.com\/author\/pierrette\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pierrette Mimi Poinsett, MD<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a pediatrician and medical consultant at Mom Loves Best<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, there are a couple considerations to keep in mind that will ensure that your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">seasonal influenza vaccine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is most effective and that you feel well in the days following your shot.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"1-activities-that-stress-your-body\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Activities that stress your body<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt&#8217;s important to avoid activities that will put your body under stress,\u201d Dr. Williams says. \u201cAfter getting a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flu shot<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, taking care of yourself will help ensure you stay healthy and avoid complications.\u201d That means minimizing emotional stress, avoiding overly strenuous workouts, and making time for some rest and relaxation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s possible you won\u2019t actually feel too tired, though, and if that\u2019s the case, you don\u2019t need to significantly alter your daily activities. Dr. Poinsett says that while you might feel tired for a day or two after your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flu shot<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, \u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is no need to rest after a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flu shot<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> unless you feel tired.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/exercise-after-vaccine\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exercise after a vaccine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is not expressly forbidden by <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">healthcare<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> professionals. However, you\u2019ll want to judge your own personal comfort level when thinking about if or how much exercise you\u2019ll be up for on the day of or the day after your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flu shot<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Again, keeping your body\u2019s stress level low is a goal right after this shot. Generally, moving the arm you got your shot in is a good idea to prevent <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">soreness<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, but high impact sports might not feel good while the spot is feeling tender.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may want to modify your routine for a couple days, especially if you\u2019re feeling especially fatigued or if you have a fever or <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">muscle aches<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Walk instead of run. Go to a restorative yoga class instead of a high impact cardio boot camp. It\u2019s also okay to take a recovery day or two if you feel like you need it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\t\t<div class=\"singlecare-dynamic-newsletter-wrapper sin-newsletter-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"heading\">Get our wellness newsletter<\/span>\n\t\t\t<form class=\"form-wrapper\" data-newsletter-form=\"1\" data-subsource=\"Wellness Newsletter\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"input-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<label for=\"dynamic-email\">Email<\/label>\n\t\t\t\t\t<input type=\"email\" id=\"dynamic-email\" class=\"email\" required>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"input-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<input class=\"submit-form-btn\" type=\"submit\" value=\"Click to sign up\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/form>\n\t\t\t<p class=\"success-message\" aria-live=\"polite\"><\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"2-dehydration\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Dehydration<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Headache is one of the most common <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">side effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flu shot<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014it\u2019s also a key sign of dehydration. Making sure you\u2019re getting enough fluids can help to alleviate that pain and help your body <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/benefits-of-drinking-water\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">function better<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. That also means avoiding things that dehydrate you, including alcohol and caffeine if you\u2019re feeling lousy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before you go out for a night on the town, check in with how you\u2019re feeling. Although t<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here is no contraindication with alcohol and the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flu shot<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Dr. Poinsett says you might want to avoid it because of the possibility of worsening <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flu shot<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">side effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0\u201cYou might feel headaches and tiredness after drinking, which may add to the exhaustion and headache that you may have after a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flu shot<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,\u201d she says. \u201cYou may want to avoid alcohol until the headache and tiredness have passed after receiving a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flu shot<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u201d Drinking alcohol also affects the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">immune system<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and may reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine. If you do have a glass of wine or a beer with dinner, keep a close eye on your hydration levels and symptoms and try to avoid dehydration or headache.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"3-junk-food\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Junk food<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you\u2019re tired or under the weather, it can be tempting to reach for a bag of potato chips or box of cookies. Even though there are no food restrictions after a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flu shot<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, if you\u2019re feeling unwell, Dr. Williams says you should eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to give yourself the nutrients you need to recover. (This is good advice for all days, not just ones in which you received a vaccine.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is a misconception that you should avoid eggs after a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flu shot<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This is because people who have an <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">egg allergy<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can have a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">life-threatening<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">severe allergic reaction<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flu shot<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Many <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flu shots<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> contain egg <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">proteins<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> , but if you\u2019re able to eat eggs without an <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">allergic reaction<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you can also eat them after your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flu shot<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"4-painkillers\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Painkillers<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have a headache, fever, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">muscle aches<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">soreness<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">injection site<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/tylenol\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tylenol <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/acetaminophen\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">acetaminophen<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) is the preferred option. Other painkillers might not be recommended. \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/ibuprofen\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ibuprofen<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/naproxen\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">naproxen<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> may interfere with and dilute the power of the vaccine,\u201d <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dr. Poinsett says. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Or, for localized pain at the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">injection site<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, use a cold compress.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/flu-shot-101\/\"><b>Flu shot<\/b><b> 101<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"other-practices-to-help-avoid-the-flu\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other practices to help avoid the flu<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even with a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flu shot<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, you may still contract the flu, especially if it\u2019s a particularly virulent strain of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flu virus<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or if that year\u2019s vaccine doesn\u2019t protect against all types of flu that go around that year. Even when vaccinated, the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">vaccine effectiveness<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> varies. So, it\u2019s still important to follow risk reduction practices to help keep the spread of influenza down. The <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CDC<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has some <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/flu\/prevention\/\">guidelines<\/a> on how to prevent the flu<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some practices to help avoid the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">influenza virus<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are similar to those you learned during the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pandemic<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to avoid COVID-19. They include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use hand sanitizer when soap and water are unavailable<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoid crowded places and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">close contact<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stay home when sick<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/cold-and-flu-masks\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consider masking<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in public during high infection rate periods<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoid contact with people who are sick<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cover coughs and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sneezes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with a tissue and then dispose of the tissue<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this day and age, if you get sick it\u2019s also important to look at your symptoms and compare them to both a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/coronavirus-symptoms-vs-cold-and-flu\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">common cold and COVID-19<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CDC<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has created infographics to help you learn the differences between the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/flu\/about\/coldflu.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flu and a cold<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/flu\/about\/flu-vs-covid19.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">flu and COVID-19<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If you&#8217;re wondering if you have the flu and you\u2019ve tested negative for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">coronavirus<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">healthcare provider<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can offer you guidance or tests to determine the best course of action.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you do get the flu, follow your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">healthcare provider<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2019s instructions on how long to stay home and any other care recommendations they may have. For certain groups, your provider may prescribe an <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">antiviral<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> medication, such as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/tamiflu\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tamiflu<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, to shorten the duration of your illness.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As summer changes to fall, your doctor\u2019s office and pharmacy begin offering seasonal flu shots. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that everyone older than six months get an annual flu vaccination during flu season\u2014unless they have a health condition that prevents them from getting it. That means before the end of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":135,"featured_media":53576,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8029],"tags":[11169,3381],"coauthors":[20599],"class_list":["post-53558","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health-education","tag-cold-flu","tag-vaccines","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What to avoid after the flu shot<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"You should avoid most painkillers after the flu shot as they may dilute the effectiveness of the vaccine. 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