Below is a list of symptoms to expect if you get the flu, as well as reactions to the flu shots:

The flu may cause:

• high fever
• cough
• tiredness
• muscle aches
• sore throat
• headache
• runny nose
• decreased appetite
• sometimes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea

Complications of the flu may include:

• pneumonia
• ear infections
• bronchitis
• Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)
• worsening of existing medical conditions

Vaccination may cause for 1–2 days:

• pain, redness, swelling at the injection site

Less commonly:

• tiredness
• muscle and joint pain
• headache
• younger children may experience fever, drowsiness, irritability and loss of appetite

To relieve these symptoms:

• apply a cold, damp compress to the vaccine site
• take or administer acetaminophen-type medication
• call your health centre if symptoms persist over 48 hours