Hepatitis is an inflammatory liver disease caused by one of five viruses, the most common of which are hepatitis A, B and C. As of 2010, there are hepatitis vaccines available to help prevent hepatitis A and B in treated patients. Patients should talk with a doctor about potential hepatitis vaccine dangers before being immunized.
Anaphylaxis
Patients treated with a hepatitis vaccine are in danger of experiencing a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. This type of reaction is rare, occurring in approximately one in 600,000 hepatitis B vaccinations, according to The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. An allergy to baker's yeast may increase a patient's risk of developing an anaphylactic reaction, particularly following treatment with the hepatitis B vaccine. Anaphylaxis can result in severe breathing difficulties, heart rate abnormalities, dizziness, itchy hives, hoarseness, pale skin or wheezing, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. Patients allergic to a hepatitis vaccine typically experience anaphylaxis symptoms within a few minutes of treatment. Allergic reaction symptoms can be fatal and thus require immediate, emergency medical care.
Flulike Symptoms
Treatment with the hepatitis A or B vaccine can cause flulike symptoms in patients. These symptoms can include excessive fatigue, nausea, muscle or body pain, and appetite loss, MedlinePlus reports. Flulike symptoms can be uncomfortable and typically occur within a few hours following vaccination. Certain patients may also develop a low-grade fever that exceeds 99.9 degrees F, according to the CDC. A fever may also induce additional side effects, including facial redness or flushing, sweating, headache, or chills. If these flulike symptoms do not subside within a few days following receipt of a hepatitis vaccine, affected patients should seek medical care.
Injection Site Reaction
An injection site reaction following immunization is a potential danger of a hepatitis vaccine. The characteristics of an injection site reaction can include pain, tenderness, skin discoloration or swelling within the upper arm. Though injection site reactions can be uncomfortable, they typically subside within a few days of vaccination, the CDC explains. Persistent, severe or unusual skin reactions at the injection site should be discussed with a medical professional.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Hepatitis A Vaccine: What You Need to Know
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Hepatitis B Vaccine: What You Need to Know
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: Hepatitis B Vaccine
- MedlinePlus: Hepatitis A Vaccine
- Hepatitis B Foundation: Hepatitis B Vaccine
