Vaccine Reaction? 1 Week Later...

Updated on March 15, 2012
J.K. asks from Kalamazoo, MI
12 answers

My 2 month old ds had his 2 month shots last tuesday. Now he has fever, cough and a rash. We were at the ER 2x yesterday, they say its a cold/virus and that can sometimes cause a rash. Is it possible to have a reaction to immunizations a week later? We have an app with our regular Dr later this morning, but I am just really freaking out, especially over the rash, its a nasty one... If it is the vaccines is there even anything they can do at this point?

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So What Happened?

I took him to the ER 1st time because he had a very high fever, the phone nurse said to come in. Then later in the day he got the rash, which I thought was an allergic reaction to the pain/fever reducing meds they gave him. The rash is really bad and covering his whole body. I would never take my kids to the ER for 'just a cold'. We saw our reg doctor today, she says he has an ear infection and gave us steroids for the rash. She also suggested their ped specialist for his next round of shots just in case.

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L.M.

answers from Dover on

What kind of rash is it? Is it at the injection site? If not, I would guess probably not a reaction to the vaccine.

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L.R.

answers from Washington DC on

It's most likely the virus as diagnosed. There are viruses running rampant this season all over the U.S. including a virulent cold virus. Please don't assume a connection between a vaccine and what is a bad cold. A reaction to a vaccine would have come much, much sooner after the actual shot.

Why the ER for fever and cough? If your doctor's office does not have a "triage line" where you can call for advice 24/7, find a doctor who does. It saves trips to the ER for colds and saves parents a lot of stress.

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M.G.

answers from Chicago on

No, it isn't the vaccine. The ER said it's a cold virus, and your doctor will say the same thing.

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A.S.

answers from Boca Raton on

My younger son developed a severe rash after a hepB vaccine given at birth. The rash developed a few days to a week later. At the time I didn't know what it was. I remember it because I was somewhat embarrassed by it (how silly now that I look back on it) - it was quite severe.

This same child went on to be very sickly, with many food intolerances, until we got outside the mainstream standard of care and figured how to handle his specific health care needs as an individual.

I would not expect my mainstream ped to give me much insight. They experience heavy pressure and training to vax on a "one size fits all" schedule. They incur little to no liability should there be a reaction to a vax from the CDC recommended schedule (which has expanded significantly since I was a kid).

I'm not a medical professional of any type and this is just my "mom" opinion and was our own experience, which may be vastly different from others.

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M.L.

answers from Houston on

Sounds like a virus, like the Dr said. Vaccine reactions are typically immediate within 24-48 hours... but like LivTokyo said, it also depends on the vaccine which may have a longer reaction timeframe. Why did you have to go to the ER 2 different times in one day over this?

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M.C.

answers from Colorado Springs on

Research, research, research. Check out the VAERS database (vaccine adverse events reporting system, which pays out millions of dollars of your tax dollars to vaccine injured patients yearly because the pharmceutical companies cannot be sued due to federal protection). Please keep in mind that it is estimated that less than 10% of cases are actually reported because most doctors refuse to believe that vaccines actually cause adverse events. They always chalk it up to coincidence. Hmmm.

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J.U.

answers from Washington DC on

I'm thinking that it is just coincidence. My son had a reaction pretty much right away. Usually the site of the injection becomes more than a little swollen and the child becomes lethargic later that day. Take him to his pediatrician and see what they think. I am sure they have seen more than one reaction in their time, they can give you a second opinion and piece of mind. Hope he feels better soon! Take care.

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T.A.

answers from Seattle on

It is possible..which vaccines did he get? You may want to do them one at a time from now on if you continue..so you can monitor which one he is likely to have a reaction from. There is probably nothing to do now except treat the symptoms.

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A.C.

answers from Atlanta on

It depends on the vaccine, but most vaccines cause a reaction within 24-48 hours, and I believe all of the 2-Month vaccines fit under this description. The major exception to the 24-48 hour rule that I can think of is the MMR, which usually causes a reaction 4-8 days later if you are going to have one, and also Hep A can sometimes cause later reactions (but your child won't have received either of these yet). I suspect the ER doctors are correct that this is a virus.

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K.L.

answers from Medford on

He might have a heat rash from the fever. The fever is probably from the virus. If you are bundling him up to keep him warm it might be making it worse. Let us know what your Dr say. Hope he's all better soon.

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K.M.

answers from Detroit on

Just Benadryl n Tylenol if it was chicken pox virus could be that

Updated

I think he's fighting virus though just Tylenol n benedryll

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K.H.

answers from Richmond on

yes, it could be a vaccine reaction, or it could be a reaction to any pain medication that was given to the child after getting the vaccine,
K. h.

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