Fever, headache, swelling or redness at the site are among the most common side effects of vaccines, which can occur up to 48 hours after administration. Often, these side effects are more visible in children, leaving them often irritated, restless and crying.
In most cases, symptoms are not severe and last between 3 and 7 days, without medical recourse. However, there are ways to relieve these symptoms, which can be done at home.
Some of the most common symptoms, such as fever, redness, and local pain, may be relieved as follows:
After the vaccine is applied, the arm or leg area may become red, swollen, and harden, causing pain during movement or touch. These symptoms are common and are generally not a cause for concern, although they cause some discomfort and limit movement for a few days.
What to do: To relieve these symptoms, it is recommended to apply ice at the vaccination site for 15 minutes, 3 times a day until symptoms disappear. Ice should be covered with a cotton layer or cloth, so that contact is not direct with the skin.
After a vaccine, a low fever may occur for 2 to 3 days. In addition, headaches are also common in these cases, especially on the day the vaccine was given.
What to do: To reduce fever and headaches, antipyretic medications and pain relievers prescribed by your doctor, such as acetaminophen, may be taken to help relieve fever and pain. These remedies may be prescribed in the form of syrup, drops, suppositories or tablets, and recommended doses should be indicated by the pediatrician or gpation. Find out how to take each one.
After the application of a vaccine, it is normal to feel unwell, tired and drowsy, and gastrointestinal changes such as nausea, diarrhea or lack of appetite are also common.
In the case of infants or children, these symptoms may manifest in constant crying, irritability and a lack of desire to play, and the baby may also be drowsy and unensified.
What to do: To alleviate discomfort, it is necessary to eat light foods throughout the day, such as vegetable soup or cooked fruit, for example, always drinking plenty of water throughout the day to ensure hydration. In the case of the baby, it is necessary to choose to give small amounts of milk or porridge to avoid any indisposition. Sleep also helps you recover faster, so it’s a good idea to rest a lot during the 3 days after the vaccine is given.
When the fever lasts longer than 3 days or when the pain and redness of the area does not go away after about a week, it is recommended to consult your doctor, as there may be other causes of the manifested symptoms, which may require appropriate treatment. .
In addition, when the child is unable to eat well after 3 days, it is also recommended to consult the pediatrician, who will evaluate the reasons for the lack of appetite.
In the most severe cases, side effects caused by the vaccine may include anaphylactic shock, itching and granules on the skin or swelling of the neck, with immediate medical attention. These symptoms are often caused by a severe allergy to one of the vaccine components.
Although side effects may occur in some people after receiving vaccines, this should not be a reason for the person not to get vaccinated. Watch the video below and understand the importance of health vaccination: