How to Recognize Side Effects From Hepatitis B Vaccine

Approximately 12 million Americans are living with Hepatitis B which is a virus that attacks the liver. Nearly 100,000 additional people are infected every year. The disease is transmitted through the blood of infected people and is spread through unprotected sex, sharing needles and getting stuck with a used needle. Uninfected people can prevent hepatitis B by getting vaccinated against this potentially deadly disease. As with any vaccine, it’s important be aware of potential side effects.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Make sure you are well on the day of your shot. Some of the side effects from the hepatitis B vaccine are similar to symptoms of common viruses like the flu. If you are sick at the time of your vaccination, you could mistake some of the symptoms from your illness for side effects from your shot. Also, getting a vaccine while you are sick could put too much pressure on your immune system.

2. Know the signs to look out for. Serious side effects include high fever, sore throat, headache, skin rash, irritability, heart palpitations, easy bruising or bleeding. Less serious side effects include redness or swelling where the shot was given, dizziness, mild fever, joint pain, fatigue and nausea.

3. Pay close attention to any other changes you may experience. Since everyone is different, your side effects may be completely different from anything listed in any health resource. So if you are feeling that something isn’t right within 24 to 48 hours after being vaccinated, discuss your concerns with your doctor.

Tips & Warnings

• Before receiving the hepatitis B vaccine, tell your doctor about any other vaccines you recently received.
• Tell your doctor about any of any drugs or treatments you may have recently had that can weaken the immune system. This includes steroid medications, medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection and medications to treat autoimmune disorders such as arthritis.
• You should not receive the hepatitis B vaccine if you are allergic to baker’s yeast.

Resources

• Immunize.org
• National Vaccine Information Center
• Hepb.org

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