Getting vaccines is no picnic, either for your or your child. As the parent of a 14-month-old, you know how stressful vaccination time can be for both of you. Even worse than the tears following the shots are the days of discomfort that can occur afterward. A small number of children experience temporary side effects from vaccinations, which can include dehydration. If your child is one of these, understand the risks and benefits of vaccinations and how to help your child cope and stay healthy.
Vaccines and Safety
If you’ve watched your child suffer after a vaccination, you may wonder if vaccinations are safe. While there has been a lot of talk about a link between vaccinations and autism, the single study that showed a correlation between them has been debunked, and, according to MayoClinic.com, no other reputable research has found a connection. Vaccines can pose risks to those who are allergic to certain vaccine ingredients, however, so talk to your child’s doctor about the ingredients and your child’s allergy history before vaccines are given. For most children, vaccinations are safe, and MayoClinic.com notes that the risk of serious physical harm from any side effects is far smaller than the health risks from contracting the diseases being vaccinated against.
How Vaccinations Can Contribute to Dehydration
Most children experience only mild discomfort following vaccinations, such as temporary redness, soreness and swelling at the injection site. A cold, wet towel placed over the affected area can help sooth the discomfort. A smaller number of children, however, react to vaccines with a fever or diarrhea in the days following vaccination. If your child is one of these, either of these side effects could have lead to dehydration.
Which Vaccines Can Lead to Dehydration?
Side effects vary by vaccine. The rotovirus vaccine, given to infants as a series of shots spaced several months apart, can trigger diarrhea serious enough to cause dehydration in some children. Several vaccines can cause fever – which can trigger dehydration – in certain children. These include the vaccines for chicken pox and hepatitis A, as well as the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, all of which are typically given to children at about 12 months. According to the Department of Health of Western Australia, about one in 10 children experiences a fever after a chicken pox or hepatitis A vaccination, while one in four experiences a fever after receiving the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.
Keeping Your 14-Month-Old Comfortable
You can do a few simple things to keep your child comfortable after a vaccine. The Department of Health of Western Australia recommends ensuring your child drinks more fluids than usual if he experiences a fever following vaccination – this should alleviate or help prevent dehydration. They health agency also recommends removing extra layers of the child’s clothing if he is feeling hot, but health officials warn against bathing the child in cool water – shivering actually will raise his body temperature. An appropriate does of Ibuprofen also can help alleviate a child’s fever. Let your child’s doctor know immediately about your child’s fever and dehydration – together you will be able to plan the best way to get your child strong and healthy again.
