- Doctor at Paras Bliss, Panchkula advocate greater caution against vaccines causing side effects and allergic reactions
Panchkula, 13th May 2017: The doctors in Paras Bliss Hospital, Panchkula aimed to spread increased awareness on the benefits to children with timely and regular vaccination.
Getting children vaccinated is stressful for both parents and the child. Watching your child suffer in pain and listening to them cries can be frightening. What is even worse is when they develop a fever or rash after getting a shot. Vaccine-preventable diseases are considerably less common than they used to be, thanks to vaccination. But, the increasing administration of these vaccinations has been associated with reports of adverse vaccine reactions. These allergic reactions are caused by the vaccine itself or the vaccine components are rare in some circumstances but can be serious and even fatal.
Doctors at Paras Bliss, Panchkula say crying, fever, and rash are all common side effects of vaccines and are signs that your child’s body is working hard to produce antibodies that will protect him/her from the disease.
Vaccination like BCG (Bacillus Calmette Guerin), OPV or Oral Polio, DPT, and MMR (Measles Mumps Rubella) protects babies from serious illnesses and complications some of which include severe pneumonia, paralysis of limbs, hearing loss, convulsions, brain infections and death. A vaccine is a product that builds immunity against a disease and can be administered through injections, orally, or by aerosol.
“It is impossible to know whether or not your baby is allergic to any ingredient of vaccine. The best thing to do is report any allergies you do are already aware of. Doctors will then cross check these allergies against the lists of vaccine ingredients. There are many allergic reactions to vaccines are rare (around 1 in a million), and doctors are prepared to deal with them if they do arise. The most common allergies arise out of eggs, gelatin and yeast, which are in certain vaccines, and latex, which could be a part of the syringe or in the stopper of a vaccine vial”, says Dr Jyoti Chawla, Sr. Consultant Pediatrics, Paras Bliss Hospital, Panchkula.
Children who reveal an allergic reaction to a vaccine become sensitized after being exposed to the allergen the first time, and are at a risk for future allergic reactions to vaccines. These subsequent reactions to the vaccines are usually more serious than the first.
Symptoms of a severe vaccine allergy may include coughing, wheezing, breathing problem, weakness, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, increased heart rate, hives, pale skin, throat swelling. Other common reactions to vaccines are fever, pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site, or a mild rash which is usually not serious. It is important to contact your doctor if you observe any worrisome symptoms after receiving a vaccination.
“To reduce the symptoms of the allergic reaction, apply a warm compress after the vaccination shot to reduce soreness. Encourage your child to move his/her arm or leg in which the shot was given to relive any stiffness. A non-aspirin pain reliever such as acetaminophen (after age three months) or ibuprofen (after age six months) can help with residual pain, as well as with any low-grade fever. In some cases, a dose of a non-aspirin pain reliever is given before the shot to prevent these mild side effects from happening in the first place”, adds Dr Jyoti Chawla, Sr. Consultant Pediatrics, Paras Bliss Hospital, Panchkula.
Doctors at Paras Bliss, Panchkula believes that vaccinations are important for your child’s health and the health of those around you. Parents concerned about vaccine allergies are advised to talk with your doctor, who can recommend a vaccination schedule that will be safe and effective for you.