A vaccine is a treatment utilized to prevent the development of specific infections or diseases in treated patients. In the United States, hepatitis vaccines for both the hepatitis A and B viruses are available for patients as of 2010. Hepatitis vaccine risks are rare, but patients should discuss potential complications with a physician before receiving treatment.
Skin Reaction at Injection Site
Patients who receive a hepatitis vaccine are at an increased risk of developing a skin reaction at the injection site. Up to 50 percent of patients can experience soreness at the injection site after receiving a hepatitis vaccine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Patients may also notice that the skin surrounding the injection site appears inflamed, puffy, discolored or tender to the touch. Skin reactions at the injection site may arise shortly after immunization but typically subside within a few days of treatment. If a patient experiences a severe skin reaction or persistent injection site pain, she should receive further evaluation and care from a medical professional.
Anaphylactic Reaction
Anaphylaxis--severe allergic reaction--is a risk of a hepatitis vaccine. Patients who are allergic to baker's yeast are more likely than others to develop an anaphylactic reaction following treatment with the hepatitis B vaccine, according to KidsHealth from Nemours. Anaphylactic reaction symptoms can be life-threatening and typically include oral or throat swelling, increased heart rate, breathing difficulties, skin welts or hives, dizziness or pale skin. A patient who exhibits any of these symptoms after receiving a hepatitis vaccine requires prompt medical attention to avoid further complications.
Flulike Reactions
Patients who receive a hepatitis vaccine are at risk of developing a flulike reaction following immunization. Flulike symptoms can include weakness, fatigue, sore throat, decreased appetite, body aches, diarrhea, dizziness or headache, according to Drugs.com. Certain patients may also develop low-grade fever, sweating or chills after receiving a hepatitis vaccine. Flulike reaction symptoms generally subside within a few days of immunization.
References
- KidsHealth: Your Child's Immunizations - Hepatitis A; Hepatitis B
- Drugs.com: Hepatitis B Vaccine Side Effects
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Hepatitis A Vaccine Side-Effects
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Hepatitis B Vaccine Side-Effects
- Children's Hospital Boston: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) - What are the Risks from Hepatitis B Vaccine?
