If a person becomes exposed to the hepatitis B virus (HBV), they can develop an inflammatory liver disease called hepatitis B. To limit the risk of developing this infection, health officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that all infants receive the first dose of the hepatitis B vaccine at birth. The hepatitis B vaccine is administered as a series of 3 to 4 injections, which should be completed by the time a child is 18 months old. Parents should discuss the potential symptoms associated with the hepatitis B vaccine with their pediatricians if they have any questions or concerns.
Injection Site Reaction
Patients who receive the hepatitis B vaccine can develop mild to moderate skin reactions at the site of injection, explains Drugs.com, a peer-reviewed drug information website for consumers. These injection site symptoms typically arise immediately after the vaccine is given and can include redness, irritation, swelling or soreness. Approximately 25 percent of patients report experiencing soreness at the injection site after having the hepatitis B vaccine administered, reports the CDC. Injection site reaction symptoms typically prove mild and progressively subside within a few days of vaccination.
Fever
Approximately 6 percent of children who receive the hepatitis B vaccine develop fever as a symptom of this vaccination, reports the Hepatitis Foundation. Fever symptoms are typically low-grade (100 degrees Fahrenheit) and may occur in conjunction with headache, sweating, chills or body aches.
Flu-like Symptoms
After a person has been vaccinated, they can begin to develop flu-like symptoms as a side effect of the hepatitis B vaccine. These symptoms typically prove mild and can include fatigue, malaise, decreased appetite, sore throat, weakness, nasal congestion, dizziness or nausea, explains Drugs.com. Children may become unusually fussy or irritable after receiving this vaccine due to these symptoms. Diarrhea can also arise in certain patients as a symptom of the Hepatitis B vaccine, and may contribute to additional abdominal discomfort.
Allergic Reaction
Through rare, symptoms of an allergic reaction can develop in certain patients following hepatitis B vaccination, explains Medline Plus, an informational health website established by the National Institutes of Health. People should seek emergency medical care if they or their child develops any symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as skin rash, chest pain, facial swelling, breathing difficulties or heart rate abnormalities.
