How to Recover From a Hepatitis B Vaccine
Hepatitis B is a virus that can cause serious damage to the liver and is the leading cause of liver cancer in some parts of the world, according to Centers for Disease Control. This virus can be prevented through a series of vaccines. Doctors recommend children complete the series of Hepatitis B vaccines by six to 18 months of age, according to the CDCl. Children who were not vaccinated earlier and adults at risk of catching Hepatitis B can also receive the vaccine, the CDC says. The Hepatitis B vaccine is considered very safe. However, reactions can occur. It is important to know how to respond if a reaction should occur.
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Instructions
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Look for side effects after receiving the Hepatitis B vaccine. About one in four people will feel soreness where the shot was given and roughly one in 15 will have a slight fever, according to the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. These problems do not need to be reported to a doctor.
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Place a cold wet washcloth over the sore area for relief. Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen for fevers over 102 F.
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Look for symptoms of an allergic reaction such as difficulty breathing, hives, fast heartbeat, or dizziness. These are extremely rare. Such symptoms usually show within 15 days of vaccination.
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Report symptoms of an allergic reaction to a doctor immediately. Describe the symptoms, when they occurred, and when the vaccination was given.
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Ask the doctor to report the serious reaction by filing a Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) form. This will help medical community understand the vaccine better.
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Call the federal National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program at 1-800-338-2382 or visit their website to learn more about receiving help after a serious reaction. This program can help pay for care.
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Tips & Warnings
Doctors say that the risks of catching Hepatitis B far outweigh the chances of having a serious reaction from the vaccine. Only one in 1.1 million vaccinations result in a serious reaction, according to the CDC.
Anyone with an allergy to baker's yeast or any of the other components of the Hepatitis B vaccine should not take the vaccine. Any one who is moderately to severely ill at the time of the vaccination appointment should wait until recovery before taking the vaccine.
