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Fever, headache, swelling or redness at the site are some of the most common side effects of vaccines, which can appear up to 48 hours after their administration. Often, these side effects are more common in children, leaving them irritable, restless and tearful.
In most cases, the symptoms manifested are not serious and last between 3 to 7 days, only with some care at home and without having to go back to the doctor. However, if the reaction continues to get worse or if there is a lot of discomfort, an evaluation should always be done at a health center or hospital.
Some of the most common symptoms, such as fever, redness and local pain, can be relieved as follows:
1. Redness, swelling and pain at the site
After applying the vaccine, the arm or leg region may be red, swollen and hard, causing pain when moving or touching. These symptoms are common and are generally not a cause for concern, even if they cause a little discomfort and limit movement for a few days.
What to do: it is recommended to apply ice to the vaccine site for 15 minutes, 3 times a day until the symptoms disappear. The ice must be covered with a diaper or cotton cloth, so that the contact is not direct with the skin.
2. Fever or headache
After the application of the vaccine, low fever may appear for 2 or 3 days. In addition, headaches are also common in these cases, especially on the day the vaccine was administered.
What to do: antipyretic and analgesic medications prescribed by the doctor, such as paracetamol, can help to relieve fever and pain. These remedies can be prescribed in the form of syrup, drops, suppository or tablets, and the recommended doses should be indicated by the pediatrician or general practitioner. Learn how to take paracetamol correctly.
3. General malaise and tiredness
After the application of a vaccine, it is normal to feel unwell, tired and drowsy, and gastrointestinal changes such as feeling sick, diarrhea or poor appetite are also common.
In the case of babies or children, these symptoms can be manifested through constant crying, irritability and lack of desire to play, and the baby may also be drowsy and without appetite.
What to do: it is advisable to eat light foods throughout the day, such as vegetable soup or cooked fruit, for example, always drinking plenty of water to ensure hydration. In the case of the baby, one should choose to give small amounts of milk or porridge to avoid indisposition. Sleep also helps you to recover more quickly, so it is recommended to rest a lot during the 3 days after taking the vaccine.
When to go to the doctor
When the fever lasts for more than 3 days or when the pain and redness in the area does not go away after about a week, it is recommended to consult the doctor, as there may be other causes for the symptoms manifested, which may need 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 assess the reasons for the lack of appetite.
In the most severe cases, the side effects caused by the vaccine may include difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, severe itching or a feeling of a lump in the throat, prompt medical attention being indicated. These symptoms are often caused by a severe allergy to any of the components of the vaccine.
Is it safe to vaccinate during COVID-19?
Vaccination is important at all times in life and, therefore, should also not be interrupted during times of crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Health services are prepared to carry out vaccination safely, both for the person who will receive the vaccination and for the professional. Non-vaccination can lead to new epidemics of vaccine-preventable diseases.
To ensure everyone's safety, all health rules are being complied with to protect those who go to SUS health posts to get vaccinated.