Shots are injections that deliver medicine, vaccines, or other substances into your body through a needle. Shots can help prevent or treat various diseases and conditions, such as diabetes, allergies, infections, and cancer. However, shots can also cause pain, discomfort, and fear for many people. Some shots tend to hurt more than others, depending on the type, location, and amount of the injection. Here are the top 10 most painful shots, according to experts and patients.
1. DTaP
The DTaP shot is a combination vaccine that protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough). These are serious bacterial diseases that can cause severe complications, such as breathing problems, paralysis, and death. The DTaP shot is given to children in five doses, starting from two months of age until six years of age. The DTaP shot is known to be one of the most painful shots, because it contains a high concentration of antigens that stimulate the immune system. The injection site may become red, swollen, and tender for several days after the shot. Some children may also experience fever, fussiness, and loss of appetite.
2. Gardasil
The Gardasil shot is a vaccine that protects against human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted infection that can cause genital warts and cervical cancer. The Gardasil shot is recommended for girls and boys between nine and 26 years of age. The Gardasil shot is also one of the most painful shots, because it contains a substance called aluminum hydroxyphosphate sulfate (AAHS), which enhances the immune response. The injection site may become sore, itchy, and bruised for several days after the shot. Some people may also experience headache, nausea, dizziness, and fainting.
3. Epidural steroid injection
An epidural steroid injection is a shot that delivers anti-inflammatory medicine into the space around the spinal cord. It is used to treat chronic pain caused by conditions such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or sciatica. An epidural steroid injection can provide relief for several weeks or months. However, an epidural steroid injection can also be very painful, because it involves inserting a long needle into the back and injecting a large volume of fluid under high pressure. The injection site may feel numb, tingling, or burning for several hours after the shot. Some people may also experience headache, infection, bleeding, or nerve damage.
4. Pneumococcal vaccine
The pneumococcal vaccine is a vaccine that protects against pneumococcal disease, a bacterial infection that can cause pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis. There are two types of pneumococcal vaccines: PCV13 and PPSV23. PCV13 is given to children under five years of age and adults over 65 years of age. PPSV23 is given to adults over 65 years of age and people with certain medical conditions. The pneumococcal vaccine can be quite painful, because it contains polysaccharides that trigger a strong immune response. The injection site may become hard, swollen, and sore for several days after the shot. Some people may also experience fever, chills, and muscle aches.
5. Shingles vaccine
The shingles vaccine is a vaccine that protects against shingles, a viral infection that causes a painful rash on one side of the body. Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, and it can affect anyone who has had chickenpox in the past. The shingles vaccine is recommended for adults over 50 years of age. The shingles vaccine can be very painful, because it contains a live attenuated virus that activates the immune system. The injection site may become red, itchy, and blistered for several days after the shot. Some people may also experience headache, fatigue, and fever.
6. Flu shot
The flu shot is a vaccine that protects against influenza, a viral infection that causes fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches. Influenza can lead to serious complications, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and death. The flu shot is recommended for everyone over six months of age every year. The flu shot can be moderately painful, because it contains inactivated or weakened viruses that stimulate the immune system. The injection site may become red, swollen, and tender for a few days after the shot. Some people may also experience mild flu-like symptoms, such as headache, nausea, and fatigue.
7. Hepatitis A and B vaccines
The hepatitis A and B vaccines are vaccines that protect against hepatitis A and B, two viral infections that affect the liver. Hepatitis A can cause fever, nausea, vomiting, and jaundice. Hepatitis B can cause chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. The hepatitis A and B vaccines are given to children and adults who are at risk of exposure to these viruses. The hepatitis A and B vaccines can be somewhat painful, because they contain inactivated or recombinant viruses that activate the immune system. The injection site may become sore, stiff, and bruised for a few days after the shot. Some people may also experience low-grade fever, loss of appetite, and malaise.
8. Meningococcal vaccine
The meningococcal vaccine is a vaccine that protects against meningococcal disease, a bacterial infection that can cause meningitis and septicemia. Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Septicemia is a blood infection that can lead to organ failure and death. The meningococcal vaccine is recommended for adolescents and young adults who are at increased risk of exposure to these bacteria. The meningococcal vaccine can be slightly painful, because it contains polysaccharides or conjugates that elicit an immune response. The injection site may become red, hard, and warm for a few days after the shot. Some people may also experience headache, drowsiness, and irritability.
9. HPV vaccine
The HPV vaccine is a vaccine that protects against human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted infection that can cause genital warts and cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine is recommended for girls and boys between nine and 26 years of age. The HPV vaccine can be mildly painful, because it contains virus-like particles that induce an immune response. The injection site may become swollen, itchy, and sore for a few days after the shot. Some people may also experience fainting, dizziness, and nausea.
10. Tetanus shot
The tetanus shot is a vaccine that protects against tetanus, a bacterial infection that causes muscle spasms and lockjaw. Tetanus can be fatal if not treated promptly. The tetanus shot is given to children in combination with other vaccines, such as DTaP or Tdap. Adults need a booster shot every 10 years or after an injury that breaks the skin. The tetanus shot can be slightly painful, because it contains toxoids that provoke an immune response. The injection site may become red, swollen, and stiff for a few days after the shot. Some people may also experience fever, headache, and fatigue.