Perhaps the most common reason for visiting a doctor after vaccination is an allergy to the drug used. Often its symptoms are mild and go away on their own, but there are cases (especially if there is a predisposition) when a seemingly harmless allergy can cause the development of anaphylactic shock.
It is in order to avoid such a development of events that some experts advise the preventive use of antihistamines before vaccination. The nuances of their application will be discussed in this article.
Should I give my child antihistamines before vaccination?
In order to answer this question, it is necessary first to determine what allergic reactions are and their possible symptoms. An allergy is a nonspecific reaction of the immune system, provoked by a person’s contact with a certain class of substances to which he is hypersensitive.
After a person comes into contact with an allergen, his immune system begins to perceive some cells of his body as hostile agents.
The allergic process is accompanied by a number of symptoms; we will briefly list the most common:
- itching, redness, peeling, hyperemia and pain at the site of vaccine administration;
- digestive system disorder;
- general increase in temperature;
- weakness and drowsiness;
- joint pain;
- rhinitis and sinusitis;
- the occurrence of inflammatory processes in the retina;
- hives, blisters and abscesses;
- anaphylactic shock.
Most of the above symptoms (except the last one) do not require the use of any medications and disappear completely within a short period of time.
Recently, a theory has become increasingly popular in medical practice, according to which, in order to prevent the occurrence of the above symptoms, it makes sense to start a course of antihistamines in advance.
It is worth noting that this method is not popular among specialists, since uncontrolled use of medications of this class can itself provoke a large number of complications, especially if a child is taking antihistamines.
Cases when the use of antihistamines is justified:
- if during the first use of the vaccine manifestations of any allergic reactions were recorded;
- if the presence of an allergy to any component of the vaccine is known in advance (if it is not possible to replace the vaccine with another, and vaccination is vital (rabies, hepatitis, diphtheria, etc.));
- if the child is prone to food allergies;
- the presence of chronic diseases of the nervous system or other systems (in remission).
Medicines cannot be used:
- during the recovery period after surgery;
- if there is a history of chronic or viral diseases of the liver and kidneys.
It is important to understand that self-prescribing medications to a child is unacceptable.
The therapist explained how to prepare for a flu shot
Photo: portal of the mayor and government of Moscow/Maxim Denisov
Therapist of the highest category, Tatyana Romanenko, in a conversation with Moscow 24, told how to prepare for the flu shot.
Earlier, the start of the All-Russian vaccination campaign against this infection was announced by the head of Rospotrebnadzor, Anna Popova. According to her, as of September 2, the situation with influenza incidence in the Russian Federation is still stable. However, cases of infection are already being recorded, she emphasized.
Romanenko said that before going for a flu shot, a person must be absolutely healthy.
You should not have contact with people with infectious diseases for 7–10 days. Of course, in the modern world this is difficult to imagine. But at least at the time of vaccination you should not have catarrhal symptoms: cough, runny nose, fever. You should feel good. Tatiana Romanenko
therapist of the highest category
“After vaccination, there must also be a certain medical and protective regime. In the first 7–10 days, you should not give yourself high physical and emotional stress,” the therapist advises.
Before vaccination, it is necessary to take into account whether the patient has a history of allergic reactions to previous vaccinations, Romanenko points out. The expert also recommends consulting with your doctor before the procedure.
“Only he can assess your condition. It is absolutely not necessary to take a general blood test and do additional research if you feel well, have recently talked to a doctor and have undergone a medical examination. And if you haven’t seen a doctor for a year or more, you need to do this,” noted Moscow 24’s interlocutor.
In modern realities, it is important to space out vaccinations against influenza and coronavirus, Romanenko emphasized. “It is advisable that the interval between vaccinations be two to three weeks,” the therapist said.
Before getting vaccinated against influenza, Romanenko recommended avoiding strong drinks in advance.
There is no direct contraindication for drinking alcohol either on the day of vaccination or after. But we adhere to reasonable recommendations: before vaccination, we refrain from drinking alcohol for three days and three days after. Tatiana Romanenko
therapist of the highest category
“First of all, this is necessary to soberly assess your condition. When a person is intoxicated, even slightly, he does not see the situation adequately. If his temperature, blood pressure or any other symptoms rise, he may not pay attention to them. Or do it when it’s too late,” says the doctor.
There is no need to specifically limit yourself from eating foods harmful to the body before vaccination, Romanenko said. They do not affect the absorption of the vaccine in any way, she noted. At the same time, the doctor reminded that in order to maintain a healthy body throughout life, it is still necessary to adhere to the principles of a balanced diet.
If a person is planning to go on vacation or has surgery planned, a flu vaccination must be done in advance, Romanenko emphasized.
“We should have three to four weeks left. Firstly, post-allergic reactions may appear during the first week. Secondly, we expect that sufficient post-vaccination immunity begins to form by the third or fourth week,” the specialist concluded.
Earlier, the World Health Organization (WHO) urged Russians to get vaccinated against both influenza and coronavirus.
List of recommended antihistamines before vaccination
The list of antihistamines offered by the modern pharmaceutical industry is truly enormous and depends only on the age of the child, the health status and financial capabilities of the parents.
Fenistil drops and gel
For children under one year old
Usually, during vaccination of infants, the use of antihistamines is not required, since the child has enough antibodies that he receives from mother's milk.
If you have predispositions or there is an urgent need for vaccination, you can use the following medications:
- Fenistil is one of the most effective drugs in this group, used to treat infants. It has a pleasant taste and a minimum of contraindications. To make it easier to take, it is added to milk. The maximum daily dose is ten drops of the medicine, the frequency of administration is three times;
- Suprastin is quite effective and has a considerable number of side effects, so it can only be given to a child under one year of age if there is no other choice. The maximum daily dose is one tablet, the frequency of administration is three times;
- Zyrtec is an antihistamine of the latest generation, characterized by a convenient form of use (nasal drops). It is used no earlier than the child reaches six months of age. Once a day. At the moment, this is the most powerful drug in this group, approved for use by children under one year of age.
From one year and older
The list of drugs approved for use within this age group is incomparably larger; we list the most effective:
- Claritin. Used in the form of syrup or tablets, no more than once a day;
- Kestin . Easy to use, has a pleasant taste. Daily dosage – one teaspoon;
- Lordestin . The maximum daily dose is one tablet;
- Diazolin. A classic medicine, used once a day.
Claritin tablets
Is it possible to calm the child down a little with an antihistamine?
The desire is understandable, but it is impossible. Firstly, the sedative effect of these drugs - most often the first generation - is very non-selective. When the effect is achieved, you will “turn off” not only motor activity, including “vocal” activity, but also thought processes, and in case of an overdose, there is a danger of developing hallucinations, convulsions, tachycardia, urinary retention, fever, and coma. Secondly, you can achieve the exact opposite result: in children - the younger, the more often - antihistamines (usually the first generation, but potentially any) can have an stimulating rather than a sedative effect.
How many days before vaccination should you take an antihistamine “to avoid a reaction”?
Not at all. Prophylactic use of H1-histamine receptor blockers before vaccination is widespread, mainly as a sedative for parents, especially if the child is “allergic to everything.” A true allergy to vaccine components is extremely rare, and its detection - after administration of the drug - will most likely lead to the cancellation of revaccination. More often (but also rarely) there are pseudo-allergic reactions. In both cases, processes are launched in the body during which, in addition to histamine—the receptors to which are blocked by “antihistamines”—many other biologically active substances with a similar mechanism of action are released. Prophylactic use of, for example, dimethindene (or cetirizine) can reduce - until completely disappearing - "mild" symptoms, such as urticaria, which would not cause much discomfort, but could serve as an alarming signal for the future. You can drink the same dimethindene (or cetirizine) and relieve such symptoms “after the fact.” For severe reactions, such as extensive skin lesions, bronchospasm or drop in blood pressure, taking antihistamines will not help either before or after vaccination. Most of the drugs discussed have little effect on fever and other “non-allergic” side effects (if you do not take into account the parenteral administration of diphenhydramine). By the way, the frequency of the same fever is statistically significantly reduced by preliminary intake of certain NSAIDs, but it can also reduce the effectiveness of antibody production.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction
A wide range of symptoms is known, but this does not mean that the same clinical picture occurs upon contact with all allergens. Depending on the type of hypersensitivity, the body reacts differently:
- atopic: rhinitis, conjunctivitis, dermatitis, asthma, Quincke's edema;
- reagin: inflammation of the mucous membranes, autonomic disorders;
- cytotoxic immune: damage to cells and tissues (immune thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, etc.);
- immunocomplex: inflammation of joints, kidneys, skin manifestations.
There are also delayed-type reactions that do not make themselves felt immediately upon contact with the irritant. After two days, the allergen combines with lymphocytes, which leads to the development of an infectious-allergic disease, for example, chronic neurodermatitis.
