AboutBarbara Judge Expertise Outpatient pharmacy and general health. I have recently completed a Pharmceutical Care Certificate Program offered by Purdue University (Spring 1999 completion). I have personal experience dealing with terminally ill persons and their needs, as well as their families` needs. I graduated in 1984 from Pharmacy School and have been a Licensed Pharmacist since then. I have 18 years retail pharmacy experience. Prior to my pharmacy training I have 3 years hospital experience as a Nurse`s Aide.
Expert: Barbara Judge Date: 1/27/2008 Subject: Flu Shot
Question I am allergic to sulfa drugs such as Bactrum. I recieved the flu shot this year for the first time in many years. I had an adverse reaction with the injection site swelling to a diameter of around 3.5 inches. It took a cortizone shot to stop the increase of the swelling. What in the flu shot could have caused this reaction? The doctor assured me that my allergy to sulfa would not affect the shot, only if I was allergic to sulfur. I afraid to take anything as this point. Thank you for any insight that you can provide
Answer Without knowing more about the source of the vaccine you received I can only give you very, very general information. Influenza vaccine is "grown" in a medium the consists primarily of egg albumin. If you have an egg allergy that could trigger an allergic reaction to the vaccine, but most clinics ask patients about this before they administer the vaccine. Influenza from multi-dose vials also contains thimerosal as a preservative. That would be another ingredient that could potentially, although rarely, cause an allergic reaction. Thimerosal is not chemically related to sulfa, but is in fact a mercury containing compound. Those 2 items would be the only items that could cause explainable reactions. It is possible you reacted to the virus itself. If you ever attempt to get a flu shot again it would need to be at a doctor's office with the doctor knowing you have had this reaction in the past.
