Why did you bleed after the flu shot?

Answer 1

They usually don't, but they can. Typically only a few drops on a band aid. They are usually given IM (intramuscularly) and so there is a possibility that the needle will go through and break a small blood vessel as it moves through the skin and subcutaneous tissue into the muscle. That blood can move out to the surface of the skin through the needle track. They almost always stop bleeding in a matter of a few seconds to a few minutes. If they do not, try holding pressure on the spot until the bleeding does stop. If it continues for more than a half hour or if it bleeds briskly or large amounts, then you should contact your health care professional or the person who gave the injection to report it and get instructions.

Answer 2

This can happen with any IM (intramuscular) injection/shot/jab. It is usually insignificant and the bleeding stops in an otherwise healthy person very quickly. It is most often due to a small superficial blood vessel near the injection site getting punctured as the needle enters the skin and passes into the muscle tissue. Rarely, it can be due to a small defect in the needle tip that doesn't allow the usual clean entry of the needle or that tears a capillary that it touches. There is really no way to avoid the occasional minor bleeding at an injection site, everyone has slightly unique and different placement/location of these vessels, so, although the odds are low that it will cause bleeding, it can happen. These typically close and heal in a very short time frame without need for intervention other than perhaps application of pressure and a bandage/Band Aid.

Answer 3

Yes, bleeding is normal. Although quite small, the incision caused by the needle is large enough for blood to escape (this is why those that perform the shot place a bandage over the incision site after the shot).

Answer 4

Tell. Me. Why. I. Do. No