To protect a child from such dangerous diseases as whooping cough, tetanus and diphtheria, routine vaccination is carried out. But DTP vaccination is often poorly tolerated: during the administration of the drug, an allergic reaction may develop.
To reduce the risk of its manifestation to a minimum, the doctor prescribes Suprastin before DTP vaccination. Parents need to know how to give this drug to their baby and for how long.
How exactly can Suprastin help?
The drug is designed to stop the effects of histamine, which provokes tissue swelling and an allergic reaction. It blocks peripheral M-cholinergic receptors, eliminates the urge to vomit, and helps relieve spasms.
After taking an antihistamine, the active components penetrate the bloodstream and begin to act directly on the source of the allergy. This effect lasts up to six hours.
The active substance does not accumulate and is eliminated from the body after 2 days.
Is it necessary to give the drug before vaccination?
Suprastin should be given before vaccination in order to prepare for possible allergies and reduce the risk of adverse reactions after vaccination. But the opinion of pediatricians regarding taking the drug is ambiguous. Some of them are convinced that with its help it is possible to prevent the negative consequences of vaccination.
They explain their decision with the following facts:
- the medication is well tolerated by children;
- after taking Suprastin, vaccination is tolerated more easily, there is no redness at the injection site, there are no problems such as rash, Quincke's edema, anaphylaxis;
- The drug is inexpensive and can be purchased at any pharmacy.
Another part of pediatricians does not recommend giving a child an antiallergic drug. They justify this as follows:
the synthetic medicine contains numerous auxiliary components, and the load on the child’s body increases significantly;- intolerance to the drug is possible: if it is not suitable for the child, then after the vaccine it will not be possible to understand which drug the allergy has developed to;
- if the baby takes an antihistamine before vaccination, it is impossible to find out the true reaction to the administered vaccine;
- Suprastin does not always cope with a pronounced allergic reaction.
Drinking Suprastin is indicated in the following cases:
- individual protein intolerance;
- during the first vaccination, a rash appeared on the body;
- the child's tendency to be allergic to medications.
How many days before vaccination should you take it?
The drug should be taken 3-4 days before the planned procedure.
The duration of the preparatory period is determined by the doctor. The general condition of the baby and the tendency to develop allergies are taken into account.
What is the dosage
The dosage of the drug directly depends on the age of the baby:
- for an infant from one month to one year - 1/4 tablet in the morning, at lunch and in the evening;
- from one to six years – 1/3 tablet three times a day;
- from six to fourteen years - 1/2 tablet three times a day.
What you need to know before getting vaccinated against coronavirus: expert advice
There are now a sea of life hacks on social networks and even more questions: how to properly prepare for vaccination against coronavirus? Heated debates unfold, patients give advice to each other, but there is an acute shortage of competent answers from specialists. The most pressing questions were answered by one of the most authoritative Russian experts - Deputy Director for Scientific Work of the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology of Rospotrebnadzor, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Medical Sciences Alexander Gorelov, zakon.kz reports.
Questions were collected and asked in Komsomolskaya Pravda.
1. Is it true that the day before the injection and immediately after the vaccination it would be good to take antihistamines? They say they will help reduce side effects - fever, swelling and pain in the arm.
- Not just useless, but harmful advice! Experience from previous vaccinations shows that antihistamines are only needed for people who have a relevant allergic history. They take such pills as prescribed by their doctor as planned. These drugs are not indicated for everyone else. In fact, one recent large study found that “prophylactic” antihistamines taken at the time of vaccination slowed the immune response to the vaccine.
In short, any medicine must be used according to indications, the expert emphasizes. If you don’t have them, there will be no benefit, but harm is possible.
2. If after vaccination a flu-like syndrome occurs - fever, chills, headaches and muscle pain - what is the best way to relieve these symptoms?
— The best option is paracetamol. If you need a slightly stronger pain-relieving effect, use ibuprofen. In general, both of these drugs have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
3. After the first dose of vaccination I caught a cold. What to do?
— The permissible interval between two doses of anti-Covid vaccines is up to two months. In this case, the second vaccination can be no earlier than two weeks after suffering an acute respiratory illness (cold).
The fact is that after vaccination, a weakened infectious process occurs in the body. If a respiratory virus is added to this, the body has to overexert itself and choose what to fight. It is better to avoid such overloads.
Therefore, we recommend that you be especially attentive to your health between vaccinations, minimize contacts, visit crowded places, and use masks - after all, they protect not only from Covid, but also from any ARVI.
4. If a person still did not protect himself and after the first vaccination caught the coronavirus - what then?
- In this case, the second vaccination is not given. I also want to remind you that the vaccine begins to provide real protection on average 32-42 days after the first vaccination. Therefore, do not relax, protect yourself from infection.
5. Inflammation in the mouth, bleeding gums - are these contraindications for vaccination?
- This will not interfere with vaccination in any way. After all, the injection is given intramuscularly; only for children they are starting to test the vaccine in the form of nasal drops (they can flow into the mouth, and then gum inflammation would play a role. - Ed.).
6. Many people are worried: they need to have their teeth treated, but at the dentist they will have to take off their mask; the risk of contracting Covid increases. Is it true that you first need to get vaccinated against coronavirus, even with bad teeth, and then treat them?
- This is the right tactic - first get vaccinated, and then go to the dentist. A contraindication for vaccination can only be a severe inflammatory process in the oral cavity, which is accompanied by fever and other systemic problems.
7. Can chronic gastritis, abdominal pain, and other gastrointestinal diseases be contraindications?
— People with any chronic diseases need to be vaccinated first, since they are at increased risk of severe complications of Covid. But if you have an exacerbation, then it is better to treat it first, and after two weeks go for a vaccination.
8. A person has chronic rhinitis (runny nose, nasal congestion), and Sputnik V, as is known, can give a flu-like syndrome and further aggravate the runny nose. Then, to relieve swelling of the nasal mucosa, you may need a spray with corticosteroids - will its use interfere with the development of immunity?
— We know that the effectiveness of vaccination is reduced only by hormones (corticosteroids), which are taken in the form of tablets or by injection. Inhaled hormones and others that are used topically (for example, in the form of ointments) do not have a systemic effect on the body.
So, if rhinitis worsens after vaccination, you can safely use antihistamines and intranasal corticosteroids (sprays and nasal drops) prescribed by your doctor.
9. Do I need to take any tests or examinations before vaccination?
- No. The main thing is that on the day of vaccination you feel normal and normal and do not experience any discomfort. Before vaccination, the patient is examined by a doctor, measures blood pressure, checks temperature, and the condition of the mucous membranes (nose, throat) to rule out acute diseases.
10. If you are afraid of an injection or side effects of vaccination, can you take sedatives?
- Yes, sure. In addition, anxiety can cause your blood pressure to rise. Therefore, on the day of vaccination, I would recommend measuring your blood pressure yourself in the morning. And if it is elevated, take the appropriate medications recommended by your doctor.
11. I was allergic to some medications - is it possible to get vaccinated against Covid?
- Be sure to tell your doctor this before vaccination. Depending on the medicinal components to which you were allergic, your doctor may recommend one vaccine or another - they have different compositions.
12. Do I need to get tested for antibodies after vaccination?
— I would say: it is possible, but not necessary. The level of antibodies is measured for population, epidemiological studies - to understand which part of the population has developed herd immunity. If you are personally very interested in the level of antibodies, you can get tested, but this will not be indicative. Over time, this level drops in any case, but cellular immunity still remains, which will provide protection.
Is it necessary to give the drug after DPT?
Suprastin should not be stopped immediately after vaccination. It is taken until the risk of negative consequences disappears.
What is the dosage after DTP
The dosage after vaccination does not differ from that prescribed during preparation for the procedure. The dose is determined taking into account the age of the small patient and his condition after the procedure.
If a severe reaction to the vaccine develops, the dosage is slightly increased. But you cannot make such a decision on your own. You should consult your doctor.
Before vaccination
Before the first vaccination with DTP vaccine, it is necessary to do a general blood and urine test, and also obtain permission from a neurologist for
vaccination.
If your child has allergic disorders (diathesis, etc.), discuss with your doctor in advance a plan for preventing exacerbation of allergies. Usually
it involves taking antihistamines (suprastin, fenistil) for 2 days before vaccination and 2 days after.
If you haven't already, buy children's antipyretics with paracetamol. It is better to buy candles, since the flavors in the syrups themselves
may cause adverse reactions.
On the day of vaccination
Do not introduce new complementary foods or new types of food. If your child is breastfed, do not introduce new foods into your diet.
If the child is old enough, never, even jokingly, scare the child with vaccination.
If your child asks about the injection, be honest and say that it may be a little painful, but it’s only for a few seconds.
Before leaving home
If you have a vaccination certificate showing your vaccinations, take it with you.
Be sure to take your baby's favorite toy or diaper with you.
After vaccination
In the first 30 minutes after vaccination
Do not forget and do not hesitate to ask your questions to the doctor. Be sure to ask about what and when reactions to the vaccine may occur and in
in what cases to seek medical help.
Do not rush to leave the clinic. Sit for 20-30 minutes near the office. Firstly, it will help you calm down, and secondly,
will allow you to quickly provide assistance in case of immediate allergic reactions to the vaccine.
If the baby is breastfed, give him the breast, this will help him calm down.
If the child is old enough, please him with some pleasant surprise, reward him with something, praise him. Tell him that
Everything is fine.
Upon returning home after vaccination
In case of vaccination with DTP vaccine: unless otherwise prescribed by the doctor, give the child a dose (suppository or syrup) of an antipyretic. This
will help avoid unpleasant reactions that occur in the first hours after vaccination.
Never use aspirin. Its use in young children is fraught with serious complications.
If a Mantoux test was performed, when swimming, try not to let water get into the place where the test was taken. Don't forget that sweat is also
liquid, so make sure your baby's hand doesn't sweat.
In the case of vaccination with live vaccines (drops of polio vaccine OPV, measles, mumps, rubella), adverse reactions are usually
occur 5-12 days after vaccination.
If any reaction occurs, but the vaccination was not done with a live vaccine, then vaccination with 99% probability has nothing to do with it. The most common cause of temperature and some other reactions in young children is teething, and in older children - colds.
How to give the drug before vaccination to young children
One of the disadvantages of the medicine is its bitter taste.
Therefore, children are not given it in its pure form. The tablet is crushed into powder and mixed with a small amount of breast milk or infant formula.
It is also possible to use the drug in the form of injections. The drug is administered at a dosage of 0.25 ml per day. However, it is worth considering that when choosing Suprastin injections, the baby will be subjected to additional stress.
When an antihistamine should not be given
If no side effects were observed after the first vaccination, Suprastin may not be given to the child.
There are a number of contraindications to its use:
individual intolerance to the components of the drug;- liver dysfunction;
- bronchial asthma;
- prematurity.
Possible side effects
Suprastin can lead to a deterioration in the patient's condition. The most commonly observed ones are:
- excessive sleepiness;
- nausea;
- gagging;
- tremor of the limbs;
- dizziness;
- decreased blood pressure;
arrhythmia;- muscle weakness;
- diarrhea;
- pain in the abdominal area;
- increased intraocular pressure;
- excessive nervous excitement;
- loss of appetite.
These are temporary changes. They disappear almost immediately after the baby stops taking the drug.
Contraindications to taking the medication and possible side effects
Any medicine can cause side effects. The risk of developing negative symptoms increases when using the drug for certain conditions. Manufacturers indicate in the instructions a list of contraindications for taking the drug and a list of possible negative reactions.
Suprastin is prohibited for children in the following cases:
- prematurity;
- intolerance to the components of the product;
- severe liver dysfunction;
- attack of bronchial asthma.
Babies after Suprastin may experience the following side effects:
- drowsiness;
- tremor;
- dizziness;
- nausea and vomiting;
- leukopenia;
- arrhythmia;
- hypotension;
- muscle weakness;
- diarrhea;
- increased intraocular pressure;
- abdominal pain;
- loss of appetite;
- nervous excitement.
These conditions are temporary and disappear on their own after stopping the medication.
