Soon after birth and throughout the first year, an infant receives numerous vaccinations. Most of these have minimal side effects but the most common are similar to the flu. The benefit of the vaccines are said to outweigh the risk of such side effects, states Kids Health. Should a baby have a fever over 100.4 degrees F or have persistent symptoms of the flu, a caregiver should seek medical attention.
Fever
A mild fever can occur following nearly any infant vaccination. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that fevers might occur in up to 1 in 4 babies receiving childhood vaccines. This is the body's response to the introduction of the active or killed infectious agent. The fever can be treated with over-the-counter fever-reducing medications if advised by a health care professional or the infant can be given a tepid bath. If the fever is accompanied by shaking or is over 101 degrees F, medical treatment is necessary. Seizures, called febrile seizures, can be alarming but aren't usually harmful. Caregivers should still consult a health care professional when these impact a baby following the immunization.
Fussiness
An infant may be fussy for several hours following a vaccine. This can affect 1 in 10 babies depending on the specific vaccine, states the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some infants may cry for several hours. If the crying persists for more than 3 hours at a time, a caregiver should contact a health care professional.
Abdominal Discomfort
Nausea, vomiting and mild diarrhea can occur with many childhood vaccinations. This is generally mild and resolves within 1 to 3 days.
Fatigue
Some babies experience fatigue soon after receiving a vaccination. This can persist for a few days or only a few hours depending on the infant and the vaccine. Should an infant lose consciousness or be difficult to wake, medical attention should be obtained. This can be a sign of complication from the vaccine.
