Malini Desai Malini Desai Asked 5 months ago

Can flu shot cause fever?

I'm thinking of getting my child vaccinated with the flu shot this year for the first time. My neighbor told me that the flu shot itself can give you a fever. Is it true that the flu shot can cause a fever as a side effect?

8

8 answers

Shalini Sharma Shalini Sharma Joined Apr 2026 5 months ago
Most liked

Yes, a mild fever is a very common reaction to the flu shot as your body is building immunity. However, if the fever goes very high, lasts more than two days, or is accompanied by difficulty breathing, please don't ignore it. It is always safest to consult your doctor immediately.

Kavita Subramanian Kavita Subramanian Joined Jun 2026 5 months ago

Yes, absolutely. A low-grade fever and body aches are very normal after-effects of a flu vaccine, showing that your immune system is responding well. Usually, it subsides in 24 to 48 hours with some rest and a simple paracetamol if your doctor advised it. Just take it easy today!

Sandeep Sangwan Sandeep Sangwan Joined Feb 2026 5 months ago

Of course it can, there is nothing to worry about. The injection is just waking up your immune system, so a mild fever for a day is totally normal. Just take rest, drink plenty of water, and if it stays for more than 2-3 days, then go see your doctor.

Anupama Iyer Anupama Iyer Joined Jun 2026 5 months ago

A mild temperature is quite common after the shot and usually goes away on its own. Placing a cool, damp cloth on your forehead and drinking warm herbal teas can help you feel much more comfortable. But if the fever rises very high or you feel dizzy, please visit a clinic right away.

Meera Sen Meera Sen Joined Mar 2026 5 months ago

Don't worry, a mild fever after a flu shot is just your body learning to fight the virus, it's actually a good sign. Rest up, drink coconut water, and keep yourself comfortable today. If the fever stays high or doesn't go away in a couple of days, let me know and we can consult your doctor.

Powered by

Consult a internal medicine specialist

Siddharth Roy Siddharth Roy Joined Feb 2026 5 months ago

I can only speak from my own experience, but I got a mild fever of around 99°F the night after my flu shot last October. I just slept it off and felt completely normal by the next afternoon. If you feel very unwell, though, checking in with your doctor is always the best move.

Supriya Patil Supriya Patil Joined Mar 2026 5 months ago

Haan na, a mild fever and heavy arm are very common after getting the flu vaccine. It just means the vaccine is doing its job in your body. Don't stress, just take a nice nap and eat some warm khichdi. If the fever doesn't go down by tomorrow, then definitely ask your doctor.

Kriti Malhotra Kriti Malhotra Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

I got a slight fever after my shot last year, and with my PCOS, I always worry about how my body reacts to vaccines. It turned out to be a very standard, mild reaction that cleared up in a day. Just monitor your temperature, and if you feel uneasy, please consult your healthcare provider.

Evidence-based health, reviewed by clinicians. Free, weekly.