Is it possible to go for a walk after DPT vaccination? The answer depends on whether the child has post-vaccination complications. If they are not there, the temperature is within normal limits, then you should not stay at home. The main thing is to choose a time and place for a walk, comfortable clothes and carefully monitor the baby’s health.
Below we will consider when and where you can and cannot go for a walk and why, acceptable periods, how a normal immune response manifests itself or life-threatening adverse reactions.
The expert worked on the article:
Julia
I have a higher education. I work in the field of social services. I am raising a preschool child.
The information on the site is provided for informational purposes only. Don't self-medicate! Consult your doctor for advice.
How immunity is formed after vaccination
Vaccination allows you to build up the body's defense against infectious diseases. The killed virus and antigenic material, including toxins, are introduced into the body. The immune system immediately begins to respond, resulting in the production of antibodies to the pathogen.
The whooping cough component in the vaccine, only after 4 times of administration, provides protection for the body for no more than five years. Immunity against tetanus is formed after one vaccination; against diphtheria, 2 doses of the drug are required and revaccination after no more than 10 years.
Is it possible to walk after DPT?
DTP vaccination is considered one of the most difficult to tolerate. The “culprit” for this is, to a greater extent, the pertussis component, which is more reactogenic compared to antigens of other diseases. Frequent, pronounced side effects make it necessary to take part in even usual activities with caution in order to minimize the consequences of the procedure for the patient.
Immediately after the procedure, traditional doctors strictly prohibit walking for 3 days. Various concerns and arguments have been raised in favor of this restriction.
More advanced specialists today are beginning to express a different, opposite opinion on this issue. Arguments and evidence are put forward in favor of the fact that you can walk with children after DTP vaccination. The famous doctor Komarovsky strongly recommends going outside immediately after the procedure and in any weather.
Which statements are more truthful, and does a short walk risk complications after such a complex vaccination? We need to understand the rules of behavior after vaccination in more detail.
The purpose of vaccination is to protect against viruses and bacteria by forcing the child’s body to produce antibodies that will protect him from diphtheria, whooping cough, and tetanus. There is also a vaccine only against tetanus and diphtheria. It is indicated for premature babies and children with low birth weight. Moreover, the entire subsequent course of vaccination should be continued with the use of such a “lightweight” drug. It is also intended for those who have already been infected with whooping cough, or for other medical reasons.
Although the vaccine is the only safe way to prevent serious childhood illnesses, it must be remembered that sometimes it causes side effects: diarrhea, vomiting, fever. Before administering the drug, it is better to tell the doctor whether the child has an intolerance to any of its components or other contraindications to the procedure.
If an adverse reaction, for example, hypersensitivity to an ingredient, was observed during the administration of the first dose of the vaccine, then it is better not to use this drug again.
Hypersensitivity to vaccine components may manifest itself in the following forms:
- rash, itching;
- swelling of the face;
- swelling at the injection site;
- difficulty breathing and swallowing;
- drop in blood pressure;
- loss of consciousness.
Why you can’t go for a walk after getting a DTP vaccination
The production of the virus is often accompanied by side effects, so the process of developing immunity cannot be called simple for a child. The body becomes weaker and more susceptible to viral infections.
Due to the presence of reactions to the vaccine, parents are advised to avoid walking, communicating with other children and strangers in the first days after the vaccine is administered.
Diphtheria
Whooping cough
Tetanus
What else should you not do on the first or second day after vaccination?
In the post-vaccination period, there is a high risk of complications. To minimize the likelihood of adverse reactions, you should know what not to do in the first days after DTP.
Doctors advise adhering to a number of prohibitions:
- You should not overfeed your baby on the day of vaccination and the next day. Overeating is an extra burden on the body;
- You should not dress your child in tight clothes made of synthetic materials. This can lead to inflammation and irritation of the injection site;
- Do not let the baby scratch the puncture area. The injection site may ache and itch for the first couple of days. The discomfort will go away on its own if you do not touch the injection area. When scratching a puncture, there is a risk of infection;
- If the baby is breastfed, then the mother should not introduce new dishes into her diet. It is necessary to exclude chocolate, tomatoes, citrus fruits, fish, exotic fruits and other products that have highly allergenic properties from the menu. If the child is already feeding on his own, you need to feed him only healthy foods;
- Do not bathe the child or get the puncture area wet. This prohibition is especially relevant if the baby is not feeling well or if there are drafts in the apartment;
- It is not recommended to send your child to kindergarten for a couple of days after DTP due to the high risk of infection.
Is it possible to walk outside on the first day after DPT vaccination?
The first recommendation after the introduction of DTP is not to go home immediately. The child and adult should be in close proximity to the medical facility.
At the same time, do not sit in the corridor where there may be sick patients. If the weather is good, it is better to stay in the yard and take a walk around the hospital.
Considering that the vaccine is given in the first half of the day, after 30 minutes you can go home, on foot or by car. As a result, the vaccinated child will avoid unnecessary contacts that will arise if you use public transport.
Precautions when walking with a child outside in winter and summer
It is better to walk with a vaccinated child in early autumn or late spring. Then the weather is nice and warm outside. But for some children, the vaccination period falls in the summer or winter.
At such times, the yard may be too hot or cold. It is important to know how to organize a walk correctly in order to protect your baby from negative consequences.
Precautions when being outdoors with a child:
- do not go to crowded places. You should not attend fairs, holidays, meetings, or shops. It is better to walk in a garden or forest plantation, where there are no people and the risk of infection is minimal;
- avoid unnecessary activity. A baby can sleep in a stroller, and an older child can just calmly walk around and get some fresh air;
- Dress your baby appropriately for the weather.
How long after DPT can you walk?
The reaction to the vaccine occurs no later than 2 days after administration; for this reason, any restrictions are lifted after 2 days.
If the baby feels well, he does not have a temperature, you can and even need to go for a walk with him. During these first days, the body’s immune reaction to the administered drug occurs, as a result of which the general immunity is weakened.
While walking, avoid contact with children, especially if they are sneezing, coughing or have other signs of a cold.
Reasons for prohibiting walking after immunization
After vaccination, people are warned not to walk for several days. Often mothers neglect this and go for a walk. Parents believe that the child is better off in the fresh air than in a stuffy room. They are partly right, because even in an apartment there are dangerous bacteria.
It’s still not worth going for a walk with your child. Immunization leads to weakened immunity. Strength is spent on fighting viruses. Diseases develop through contact with the carrier of the infection or his things. You should avoid visiting crowded places.
Pathogenic microorganisms live in various places:
- on children's playgrounds;
- in shops;
- in the entrances;
- in public transport;
- in the courtyards of houses;
- in the air.
If a person is healthy, then they are not dangerous. When the immune system is weakened, viruses and bacteria pose a serious threat.
If the baby does not have a fever, he is active and eats with appetite, it is still not worth walking outside. The body fights viruses for five days. The reaction to the vaccine may not appear immediately. Going outside makes the situation worse.
How to dress a child outside
The clothes of a child who has undergone DTP should be loose. The injection site should not be subjected to excessive friction. When going outside, you should not wear clothes that are too warm for your baby.
Hyperthermia or increased levels of body humidity carry the risk of developing an infectious disease. In hot summer weather, you should choose morning or evening time, and in winter - lunchtime, when you can get the sun's rays.
Walking in rainy or snowy weather will put unnecessary stress on the body.
How long is it advisable to stay at home after vaccination/revaccination?
Many parents are interested in how long to stay at home after vaccination/revaccination. It all depends on the condition of the baby, weather conditions and the epidemiological situation in the country.
Many doctors advise holding off on walking for 2-3 days. During this period, changes begin in the child’s body, and immunity is especially weak.
If the post-vaccination period is difficult, then you should stay at home until the adverse reactions completely disappear. In bad weather conditions (rain, high humidity, extreme heat or cold), walking is prohibited. If there is a bad epidemiological situation in the country regarding influenza or other infectious viral pathology, then it is better not to go outside for 2-3 weeks.
At this time, antibodies are produced and the body's defenses are weakened. Parents should constantly ventilate the room in which the child is located and ensure access to sunlight in the apartment.
If your baby has a cold or an acute respiratory viral infection, you can walk outside only a week after complete recovery. The child's immune system is unformed. After DTP, the defenses weaken even more. Therefore, it is important to take care of the baby.
Rules of conduct after revaccination
The best activities for the next 48 hours: quiet walks outside, games at home that exclude increased child excitement or stress. There is no need to introduce a new type of complementary feeding or change the mother’s diet.
Create a calm, even atmosphere for your baby, without innovation, so it will be easier for the body to form immunity to foreign microorganisms.
It is necessary to reschedule the injection date if the family is planning an event with a large crowd of people.
Contraindications to immunization
It is not for nothing that the terminology includes the concept of “medical exemption from vaccination.” It can be completely excluding its introduction or postponing it for several months.
It is prohibited to install DPT if:
- acute infectious disease in a child or mother;
- severely tolerated previous vaccination: angioedema, convulsions, loss of consciousness;
- diseases of the immune system;
- development of oncopathology;
- allergies that occur in severe form.
Temporary contraindications to vaccination will be:
- recovery period after illness;
- chronic disease during exacerbation;
- positive allergy tests - until allergy symptoms subside.
How long after you can walk after DTP vaccination and polio
When asking doctors about when they can go for a walk, or whether it is possible after DTP and taking the polio vaccine (according to the schedule, these vaccinations are given simultaneously) to immediately go out into the fresh air, parents forget that they will still have to go home from the hospital where the procedure was carried out. street. Therefore, the question of whether it is allowed to go for a walk on the day of DTP vaccination is simply inappropriate. On the way home, you must follow a few simple rules:
- it is better to go home on a deserted road, protecting the baby from contact with strangers;
- You can carry a child on foot or in a stroller only in favorable weather; in bad weather it is better to take a taxi;
- There is no need to bundle up, but it is better to dress your son or daughter according to the weather.
But in order to walk with your child longer after vaccination, it is better to wait.
How is it transferred
DTP is considered a vaccine with increased reactogenicity. The immune system response occurs in a large number of children. Most often it is expressed in 5 symptoms.
- When the injection site becomes inflamed, a lump or redness forms. Usually the redness goes away on its own within 10–14 days. If the needle does not hit the muscle, but the fat layer, it is better to lubricate the injection site with ointment.
- Body temperature rises to 38 °C. In this case, you cannot wait for the fever to go away on its own. At the first signs of hyperthermia, it is necessary to give the child an antipyretic. Children under 1 year of age are often given candles.
- Malaise and drowsiness. You need to play quiet games with your baby, avoid communicating with other children, visiting crowded public places, and put the child to bed during a quiet time.
- Allergies can be relieved by taking antihistamines.
- Tearfulness goes away after 2-3 days without medication.
DTP vaccination for children: how to prepare for it and avoid complications?
Many mothers wonder whether to vaccinate their child. Doctors in clinics confidently insist on the need for vaccination, and scary stories about complications are circulating on the Internet. DTP vaccination collected the largest number of such stories. As a result, more and more followers of the “anti-vaccination” fashion are appearing. As a result, diseases that have practically disappeared thanks to mass vaccination are returning and gaining strength.
When your own child appears, often the objective position gives way to anxiety and confusion for your baby. The first thing to do is to be critical of all information that comes from outside. The Internet is replete with heterogeneous information from both apologists and opponents of vaccination. The reality is that none of this may have anything to do with your child.
How to avoid complications after DTP
In fact, real post-vaccination complications are very rare. Most often, seals at the injection site and short-term rises in temperature are taken for them. This is a reaction to the pertussis component of the DTP vaccine. Sometimes mothers associate various neurological diseases with vaccination, which are genetic in nature and only appear over time. Such cases create a negative image, to the point that all vaccinology is the machinations of hostile forces.
What to do in this difficult situation? It is important to understand a number of points here. If you follow the traditional path and your child is observed in a public clinic, then, with very rare exceptions, you are dealing with a conveyor belt with all its inherent qualities. These include mass participation, lack of time from doctors, domestic vaccines, as well as strict regulations and plans for vaccination coverage. Most of the real post-vaccination complications are due to the fact that the child had contraindications that were missed for one reason or another.
If you trust your local pediatrician, the best option is to become his partner in all matters related to your child’s patronage. This means strict implementation of instructions, control over appointments, and attention to detail. If you are unlucky with your local pediatrician, then the best solution would be to get a second opinion from a Doctor Smart doctor whom you trust.
How is DTP vaccination performed?
The DTP vaccine is administered in 4 doses. The first vaccination is given at 2-3 months, the second at 4-5 months, the third at six months of age, and the fourth at one and a half years. The first three doses - the primary cycle - must be administered at thirty-day intervals. A full course of vaccinations will provide stable immunity to diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus for 5-7 years.
Is it worth looking for an alternative to DPT?
It would be a good idea to increase your own awareness of medications. Before visiting a doctor, you can study the issue yourself or consult with an experienced pediatrician online in the Doctor Smart service. There are currently several alternative solutions on the market. The choice is not so wide and it is quite possible to explore all the options offered. You should only do this together with a doctor you trust. That's why we carefully select doctors and conduct our own internal examination so that you can be confident in their competence.
Consultation with a vaccination specialist
In the Doctor Smart service you can consult with a vaccination specialist, Yulia Vladimirovna Dolgova. Yulia Vladimirovna is a pediatrician with more than 10 years of experience and has extensive experience working with both children and adolescents. She will tell you in detail what vaccinations children of different ages need, what makes them special, how to prepare for them, and how the child’s body reacts to different types of drugs.
Dolgova Yulia Vladimirovna, Pediatrician
“Vaccination is the most reliable way to protect a child from dangerous infections, and by refusing it, we deliberately take risks. Parents' concerns are understandable, but most often they are due to lack of awareness. But it was thanks to vaccination that we were able to finally defeat such a dangerous disease as smallpox, and bring most other infections under control. The range of vaccines is constantly being expanded, their components are being improved, and together with a competent approach to vaccination, all this reduces the number of unwanted reactions to a minimum.”
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Side effects and complications
There are reactions to vaccination, after which you need to seek help from a doctor. These include severe allergies (Quincke's edema), prolonged screaming or crying of an infant (more than three hours), acute respiratory failure syndrome, convulsions, and arrhythmia.
The occurrence of complications also depends on the qualitative identification of the presence of contraindications to the administration of the drug.
