Reaction to pneumonia injection

[dunks1]

My sister's arm has the lump the size of a grapefruit a day after a pneumonia shot and she feels very cold
and sick and unable to eat anything.    Can you please give some advice on what she might do to ease the
situation.

[mkh9]

I had the same thing happen when I got allergy testing and I was hypersensitive (not allergic) to mold. I used a topical steroid and the swelling went down after about 4 days. The immune system effect where your immunity goes down is more likely with a steroid injection not a topical. Although, a topical can get into your system a little it isn't the same as a steroid shot. I have had a couple of steroid injections into my back for pain relief and had no problems with them with getting sick more frequently than usual. I believe if you have a normal immune system they won't really affect you quite a badly as you think. But, they are not to be taken lightly. Instead of not getting vaccinated at all you should get allergy tested. But you can get reactions like I did just from an allergy. I get this kind of reaction from a mosquito bite. So, it is all up to you.
mkh9

[awakenow]

I had same thing happen w tetanus shot, swelled up got red and hot to the touch. Only thing Dr prescribed was steroids, did you know that steroids damage your immune system so bad that you aren't supposed to have surgery for 2 YEARS after taking steroids because it lowers your bodies ability to fight infection. So, needless to say I didn't take steroids for it. it stayed swelled for weeks, it hurt really hard in the arm for over a year! It is now 4 years later and i still have mild stabbing if i move arm a certain way. but today it started peeling down into where the needle hole is, I'm worried cuz it's 4 years later! I will NEVER EVER get a vacination again. I'd much rather deal w whatever disease.

[mkh9]

It sounds like she has a hypersensitivity or maybe allergy to the vaccine. I would call the doctor. You could ask the doctor for a steroid topical prescription or you could use OTC hydrocortisone in the meantime. Just don't get it in your eye or on your face. Wash your hands after using it. Also, benedryl or an antihistamine should help. If it is after hours ask the on call doctor for advice.
mkh9