It's no secret that many infectious diseases do not occur without serious complications. To protect children's bodies from adverse effects, experts recommend vaccinating children whose immune systems have not yet become stronger.
Such vaccinations do not guarantee complete protection from the disease, but significantly reduce the severity of their course. One such drug is Prevenar 13.
Despite the positive results that the drug gives, many parents doubt the use of such a medication, since it can provoke quite serious negative reactions, for example, fever.
However, before deciding to refuse the vaccine, you need to understand what kind of drug it is, why fever occurs after Prevenar vaccination, how dangerous it can be for the body and whether there are ways to alleviate the condition.
What is the vaccine
Prevenar is a new generation medicine used to combat streptococcal infections that can cause complications as a result of the development of various pathological processes.
The serum allows the child’s body to produce immune cells against pneumococcus, which can lead to pneumonia. Not only young patients, but also adults are susceptible to the disease.
The drug is available in the form of a pneumococcal, adsorbed, polysaccharide vaccine solution. Manufacturer: Pfizer. It is due to its specific composition that the drug minimizes the progression of the virus.
After the vaccine, the child’s body begins to produce antibodies to pathogenic bacteria, which allows him to be maximally protected from infection by the virus and the development of inflammation.
The effectiveness of the drug is quite high .
Vaccination is not mandatory and is used only with the consent of the baby’s parents. Prevenar is administered intramuscularly.
Vaccination is indicated in the following cases:
- prematurity;
- predisposition to pathologies of the heart muscle and respiratory system;
- HIV infection;
- allergic reactions.
The vaccine is administered to a child between the ages of two months and 5 years.
Among the main contraindications to vaccination are:
- existing acute infectious pathologies;
- age up to 2 months or older than five years;
- presence of acute chronic disease.
Due to the individuality of each child’s body, a reaction to Prevenar may be in the form of the following side effects:
- hyperemia at the injection site;
- temperature increase;
- enlarged lymph nodes;
- pain in the lower limb where the injection was given;
- nausea and vomiting.
You cannot use the drug on your own . It can only be prescribed by the attending physician for medical reasons. After vaccination, the child must remain under the supervision of a specialist for some time, which will allow monitoring the body’s reaction to the serum.
Why some people have a hard time getting the COVID-19 vaccine
Alexander Nikolaevich, before vaccination they usually warn that you should not drink alcohol for three days, or take a steam bath after vaccination - this can affect the immune system. Do you need to prepare your body for the coronavirus vaccine in advance, after all, stress? Take immunostimulants, swallow vitamins...
Alexander Kharitonov: There is no need for special training. This is a regular vaccination, like against any other infectious diseases. The main thing is that the person is healthy at the time of vaccination and that his chronic diseases have not worsened. If you are prone to allergic reactions, then, of course, it is better to consult your doctor.
And to put it correctly, my attitude towards immunostimulants is not very good. I am sure that immunity should be supported naturally. A person must eat well, spend a lot of time in the fresh air, sleep well, and then the immune system will work. It's the same with vitamins. Nowadays it is fashionable to take vitamin D to strengthen the body. There is such an opportunity - take it, and it won’t hurt before the vaccination. But the same vitamin D is found in cod liver, vitamin A is found in carrots. Look at your diet, add natural vitamins.
Some doctors argue that getting vaccinated in the midst of a disease is risky. You can catch an infection after vaccination, then the load on the body will increase and it will be difficult...
Alexander Kharitonov: There really is a danger of getting infected, because the coronavirus is transmitted by airborne droplets, and you can get infected, especially if you ignore protective measures, at any time. There is already more than one known case where a person contracted COVID-19 between the first and second vaccinations. But as practice has shown, these people survived the disease without serious problems. The work of the immune system to produce antibodies begins in the body a week after the first vaccination. Consequently, protective mechanisms are also activated.
When does full immunity to the virus appear? Got your second vaccination and you're free as the wind?
Alexander Kharitonov: No, not free. Only three weeks after the second vaccination can you be sure that the amount of antibodies necessary for complete protection has been developed.
Is this an unconditional algorithm or is a test still necessary for confirmation?
Alexander Kharitonov: The test is optional. In any case, you will develop antibodies at the cellular level. Of course, no vaccine protects one hundred percent. But, I repeat: a person who has been vaccinated, even if he gets sick, will not suffer from a severe form of the disease. And most importantly, he will not die.
By some internal sensations can you determine whether antibodies have been developed? I know people who had a very difficult time even with the first vaccination. Young, vigorous - blood and milk, and, nevertheless, vaccination was very difficult for them...
Alexander Kharitonov: It’s the young, strong people who react sharply and quickly to the first vaccination: the body fights. On the second, everything should be fine.
What if there were no complications either after the first or after the second vaccination? Does this mean there will be no antibodies?
Alexander Kharitonov: This means that everything is fine, it’s just that the body’s reaction was not so noticeable. For example, I had no side effects either after the first or after the second. Maybe there was a weakness that I simply didn’t notice because I was working hard. But antibodies were developed.
I know a person who did not have antibodies even a month after the second vaccination. They said he might be resistant to the vaccine. Is it good or bad? And what should he do: run and get vaccinated with another vaccine?
Alexander Kharitonov: There is no need to rush, and certainly not to rush to re-vaccinate another species. Antibodies may appear later. Again, the question is about the quality of the test systems used. In the laboratory where you came for the test, you must tell them that you are conducting an analysis after vaccination and that a quantitative method of determination is required. In any case, the vaccinated person’s immune system is already ready to face the coronavirus. She will see and react to the penetration of the pathogen.
Are there laboratories in Yekaterinburg where they test citizens for antibodies for free?
Alexander Kharitonov: No.
Many are sure that the first days after vaccination you need to stay at home, work remotely, so as not to infect your colleagues and loved ones...
Alexander Kharitonov: Nothing like that. All Russian coronavirus vaccines are based on a non-living virus. A person who has received such a vaccine cannot be infectious. Versions about the contagiousness of vaccinated people probably arose from the example of the polio vaccine, which uses a live virus, and during a certain period vaccinated and unvaccinated children should not be allowed to be together.
Do you need to notify your supervisor at your place of work that you are getting vaccinated?
Alexander Kharitonov: I think the boss will only thank you for this. Although this is not stated anywhere in the legal framework, it is necessary to inform the employer and, even more so, to confirm this with documents. An entirely voluntary procedure. But ultimately, everything depends on the leader. In my team, I clearly know who has been sick, who has been vaccinated, and who is going to get vaccinated. I work with those who doubt. But we will not kick anyone out or punish anyone for refusing vaccination.
There is a lot of talk about herd immunity in society. They say that it is possible to stop the spread of the virus when 70 percent of people acquire antibodies. Should there be the same ratio for general immunity in a specific work collective?
Alexander Kharitonov: At work, herd immunity is when all 100 percent of employees have protective antibodies. It is clear that the teams are different. It’s one thing if ten thousand work together, then 70 percent will be enough. Well, if there are a couple of dozen people, only one hundred percent protection is effective.
Why is it recommended to keep a diary of your well-being on the State Services website after vaccination?
Alexander Kharitonov: To take into account rare reactions, possible complications, obtain recommendations, and so on. In addition, if you are registered on the State Services website, the data on the vaccination performed is included in the federal register and after the second vaccination you receive a certificate with a special code, which can be printed and presented as a confirmation document. Those who do not use the site are marked on a regular vaccination certificate and certified with the seal of a medical institution.
Can there be a fever after the vaccine?
It is not possible to understand in advance what the child’s body’s reaction to vaccination will be.
This will be influenced by factors such as:
- quality of vaccine purification;
- compliance with the storage conditions of Prevenar;
- general condition of the child during the vaccination period.
After being vaccinated, a natural reaction in the form of an increase in body temperature appears after just a few hours.
The physiological reaction can be divided into 3 degrees of severity:
- mild - the child feels slightly unwell, the temperature rises to 37 degrees Celsius;
- average – general health worsens, which is accompanied by a higher temperature of up to 38 degrees Celsius;
- severe hyperthermia - a violation occurs in vital internal organs, temperature 39 degrees Celsius and above.
In some cases, there is a lack of temperature reaction to the Prevenar injection. This is explained by the individual characteristics of the child’s body, which does not in any way affect the quality of protection against pneumococcus.
How many days does the fever last after Prevenar vaccination?
How long a child’s fever will persist after administration of the Prevenar vaccine depends on the individual characteristics of the child’s body.
During the physiological course of the vaccination period, a typical temperature curve looks like this:
- severe hyperthermia is usually observed only on the first day;
- during the second day the temperature remains at normal levels, rising in the evening to subfebrile levels of 37.5-37.7 ° C;
- on the third day and beyond, body temperature stabilizes and remains at a physiological level.
This graph of temperature indicators characterizes the formation of the body’s classical immune response.
How exactly does Prevenar cause fever?
The main task of vaccination with the drug is to develop immune protection in the body against infectious pathogens.
After pathogenic bacteria penetrate inside after injection, aggression and struggle occurs aimed at destroying the virus. The child seems to be starting to get sick, but the illness is milder, which allows for a stable immune response to pathogens.
At the time when specific immune bodies are formed, substances (cytokines, prostaglandins and others) begin to enter the blood, helping to reduce heat transfer. This is how immunity is formed and infectious processes are eliminated.
What is the norm
The body can respond to a vaccine in completely different ways. However, not every one of them is abnormal and can cause danger .
For example, if after the administration of Prevenar a baby’s temperature rises a few hours later, then this is considered a completely normal reaction.
This condition is explained by the natural reaction of the immune system to the administered agent, which contains several harmless pathogens or their elements.
It is necessary to ensure that the child’s body reacts correctly, which is important for the formation of the immune system and the consequences that may arise later after vaccination.
According to numerous observations, children's temperature lasts no more than one day, after which it returns to normal. With this process, experts do not recommend taking any action to reduce it.
It is only important to provide the baby with comfortable conditions that do not allow overheating and excessive sweating, which can provoke a deterioration in well-being and the development of complications.
Contraindications
Only a doctor can decide whether Prevenar is suitable for a child to be vaccinated
Prevenar vaccination is contraindicated if there is a history of an allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine, as well as in the following cases:
- Hypersensitivity reactions to previous administration of Prevenar drugs (including anaphylactic shock, severe generalized allergic reactions);
- Hypersensitivity to diphtheria toxoid and/or excipients;
- Acute infectious or non-infectious diseases, exacerbation of chronic diseases (vaccination is carried out after recovery or during remission).
- If an acute or exacerbation of a chronic disease occurs, the child receives a deferment until complete recovery or a period of remission. The pediatrician determines the required duration of delay from vaccinations, guided primarily by the risk of complications. In most cases, the delay is about 1 month. In case of meningococcal meningitis and other severe diseases of the nervous system, vaccinations are postponed for a longer period - up to six months from the onset of the disease.
- The main contraindications to vaccination, which provide grounds for medical withdrawal from vaccinations, are strong reactions and post-vaccination complications after the administration of the previous dose of the vaccine. A strong reaction is understood as an increase in body temperature above 40 °C with the occurrence of swelling and redness at the site of vaccine administration over 8 cm in diameter, severe allergic reactions, anaphylactic shock, the development of infectious diseases and damage to individual body systems.
Abnormal reaction
The response to the vaccine is considered abnormal when the high temperature does not return to normal for several days, even after taking antipyretics.
In addition, it is observed:
- dryness and pallor of the skin;
- allergic rashes;
- fainting conditions;
- convulsions.
Such reactions indicate incorrect action of Prevenar, which means contacting a qualified specialist.
The process of inflammation at the injection site can also be dangerous.
How to lower the temperature and is it possible to do this?
If a hyperthermic vaccine reaction is not observed at temperatures up to 38 degrees Celsius, then lowering the temperature is not recommended. When the mercury reaches more than 37.5 Celsius, then young patients up to a year are given antipyretics.
When health worsens, older children are allowed antipyretic drugs.
Physical methods of temperature normalization
To increase the effectiveness of medications, you must adhere to the following rules:
- provide the room where the child is located with optimal temperature (within 17-19 degrees Celsius) and air humidity (50-77%);
- regularly ventilate the room;
- wear non-squeezing clothing made of lightweight fabrics;
- ensure complete peace;
- do not overfeed;
- monitor your drinking regime.
Only following the listed recommendations will help alleviate the condition of the little patient.
Medications
Depending on how much the temperature has risen, the tactics for using antipyretics will depend:
- if low-grade fever is observed, then use long-acting antipyretic suppositories (Nurofen, Viferon);
- for hyperthermia of 38 degrees Celsius and above, they give drugs in the form of syrup, which contain paracetamol;
- at values from 38.5 degrees Celsius, the combined use of a suppository and suspension is required.
Before using the antipyretic syrup, it is recommended to carefully study the attached instructions, which will help prevent an overdose.
Expert opinion
Nikolaeva Elena Sergeevna
Practicing pediatrician.
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With the severity of hyperthermia, which does not stop within four hours, the risk of developing convulsions and seizures increases, which is dangerous not only for the health, but also for the life of the baby. In such situations, you need to urgently call an ambulance.
What is prohibited
If the temperature reduction tactics are chosen incorrectly, this can lead to even more serious consequences.
Strictly contraindicated:
- give the child aspirin;
- do vinegar and alcohol rubdowns;
- take warm baths, wet wraps.
Also, doctors do not advise giving food when it is not necessary.
