Immunizations
Home Treatment
Help your child handle immunizations
Many immunizations are given as shots (injections). Your child may experience brief pain as the needle penetrates the skin or muscle, and some vaccines cause more discomfort than others. In general, you can help decrease your child's discomfort by making sure that he or she is physically comfortable and well rested before getting immunized. You can use home treatment measures to help relieve some of the common minor reactions to immunizations.
Relieve mild reactions to immunizations
You can help relieve some of the common, temporary, mild reactions to immunizations with basic home care.
- Fever. A child may develop a slight fever after getting immunized. Give your child acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) or ibuprofen (such as Advil) to help lower a fever, especially at a temperature of 102°F (38.89°C) or higher. Talk to your doctor before giving ibuprofen to a baby 3 months of age or younger. You can give acetaminophen to your baby who is 3 months of age or younger, but use caution. Check with your doctor first if you are not sure your young baby's fever is related to getting immunizations. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than age 20 because of the risk of Reye's syndrome. For more information on fevers, see the topic Fever, Age 3 and Younger or Fever, Age 4 and Older.
- Swelling or redness. The area around the shot (injection) site may become red and swollen. Apply a wrapped ice pack or cool compress to the area for about 10 to 20 minutes. If this does not reduce the symptoms, give your child a dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help relieve the discomfort.
- Fretfulness and poor appetite. For a few hours after getting immunized, a baby may be fretful and drowsy and may refuse to eat. Plan quiet activities at home for the evening after your child receives an immunization. Hold and cuddle your child when needed. Keep your home at a comfortable temperature, because your child is more likely to be fretful if he or she gets too warm.
- Skin rash. A mild skin rash may arise 7 to 14 days after your child gets the chickenpox or measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) shot. These types of rashes can last several days and go away without treatment.
Call 911 or other emergency services if your child has a severe reaction to immunizations, which is indicated by:
- A major allergic reaction, such as a severe asthma episode, severe problems breathing or swallowing, or hives.
- Significant changes in alertness within 7 days of getting immunized.
- A seizure.
- Collapsing.
For more information about reactions to immunizations, see the When to Call a Doctor section of this topic.
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| Author: | Debby Golonka, MPH | Last Updated: February 29, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics William Atkinson, MD, MPH - Public Health and Preventive Medicine | |
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