The occurrence of elevated temperatures or fever after vaccination in adults is referred to as a normal general reaction to the vaccine.
Together with local reactions such as a reddened, painful, swollen injection site or swollen lymph nodes near the vaccination site, these are referred to as temporary, usually harmless “side effects”.
The cause of an increased temperature as a general reaction to the administered vaccine is the activation of the body's own immune system.
As the vaccine supplies the body with either weakened live viruses (live vaccine) or only viral components (deadly vaccine) and the immune system recognizes them as harmful intruders and begins to fight them, the same or similar symptoms as with a normal viral or bacterial cold can occur .
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However, this immune reaction to the administered vaccine is intentional: because the administered virus or the administered virus components are recognized as foreign, the immune system creates certain defensive substances, the so-called antibodies, against these intruders.
At the same time, a kind of “memory” for this pathogen is formed in the immune system, so that in the event of a later re-infection with the same virus, antibodies can be formed faster and more efficiently and the body is thus armed against this infection.
The fever after vaccination is thus an expression of the active immune defense and the grappling with the vaccine, which can therefore be viewed as a completely physiological reaction of the body: by increasing the body temperature, immune cells and enzymes of the body become more active and efficient In addition, more immune cells are formed, metabolic processes are accelerated, viruses and bacteria, on the other hand, feel less comfortable and are inhibited in their reproduction.
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$config[ads_text2] not foundThe fever that can develop after a vaccination belongs to the possible vaccination reactions that can occur after a vaccination. These vaccine reactions include fever, reddening of the injection site and muscle pain (compared to aching muscles) as well as flu-like symptoms. Usually these reactions occur within 72 hours of vaccination and should not last longer than 1-2 days.
A doctor should only be consulted if the fever has persisted for several days, the injection site is swollen and overheated, or there is a severe feeling of illness.
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In general, the more the vaccine demands the body or the immune system, the more likely it is that a fever or other immune reactions will occur.
This results in the fact that it is primarily so-called live vaccines that are less well tolerated, i.e. more often lead to the development of fever.
In adults, it is vaccinations against mumps, measles and rubella, provided these are refreshed.
Furthermore, the influenza vaccination, i.e. the so-called flu vaccination, is often responsible for the development of a slight fever.
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It gets a little more exotic with vaccinations against tuberculosis, smallpox or yellow fever, for example. Otherwise, vaccinations against tropical diseases can in most cases lead to fever as a vaccination reaction.
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The flu vaccination is probably one of the most common vaccinations for adults. This is a dead vaccine, but it does not claim to offer one hundred percent protection, since the influenza viruses that cause it are subject to constant change.
$config[ads_text2] not foundHere, too, after the vaccination, flu-like symptoms with fever, as well as headache and body aches, can occur in rare cases.
However, the fever is not as dramatic in combination with the flu shot and should only be cause for concern if the patient's general condition deteriorates significantly.
Read more on the topic: Flu shot
The colloquial “tick vaccination” is usually a vaccination against TBE (early summer meningo encephalitis), a meningitis. The vaccine used is a dead vaccine, which usually does not cause any problems.
In rare cases, however, people who have been vaccinated develop flu-like symptoms. Fever, headache and body aches can then occur. If in doubt, it is better to see a doctor to assess the situation and prevent more serious progress.
Read more on the topic: Vaccination against TBE
A fever outbreak after vaccination against dengue fever is not to be expected in Germany. This is simply due to the fact that the vaccine in question is not approved for use in Germany.
Typically, such vaccinations are only given in endemic areas such as Brazil, Mexico or the Philippines.
Vaccination is generally not recommended for German vacationers, as the vaccine is not available and the complete series of vaccinations lasts for more than 12 months.
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The situation is completely different with a yellow fever vaccination.
This vaccine is a live vaccine, so fever is a potentially more common side effect. Vaccination protection is urgently recommended to people who drive to a corresponding risk area.
A doctor should only be consulted to seek clarification when the temperature has risen significantly and the fever persists.
Read more on the topic: Yellow fever
Even with vaccination against meningococci, a slight increase in temperature is not a cause for concern, but a marginal phenomenon of vaccination.
This vaccine is a dead vaccine, which is why there are usually no active bacteria left in the vaccine.
However, if a high fever is combined with severe headaches and stiff neck movements, a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible.
Read more on the subject: Meningitis caused by meningococci
Similar to the meningococcal vaccination, an increased temperature is also one of the rarely occurring side effects when vaccinated against pneumococci.
In this case, too, the slight increase in temperature indicates that the body is responding to the vaccine and that the immune system is busy producing antibodies against the meningococci.
As a rule, this increase in temperature subsides after a few days.
However, if it lasts longer and is severe - with temperatures above 39 degrees - a doctor should be consulted for clarification.
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The duration of the fever after vaccination can be 1-3 days. The fever usually goes away on its own and is not a result of illness. As a rule, there is no risk of consequential damage, and healing usually takes place quickly. Since the fever is not caused by pathogens, it can be treated symptomatically. However, care should be taken to take physical rest in the event of a fever.
However, if the fever continues and the patient's condition worsens, a doctor should be consulted.
Since a fever immediately after a vaccination is usually a physiological response by the body to the injected vaccine, there is no need to be concerned, nor is it necessary to take immediate action.
$config[ads_text1] not foundA doctor should only be consulted and fever-lowering measures initiated at body temperatures above 38.5 ° (in babies / children from a temperature of 38 ° C) and / or a fever lasting more than three days. If the general condition is poor, however, active fever reduction can be considered earlier.
Common measures include the administration of medically prescribed antipyretic agents such as ibuprofen or paracetamol (they belong to the class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs). Adults are usually given tablets, babies / toddlers are usually given antipyretic drugs in the form of suppositories, juices or drops.
In addition, lukewarm to cold calf compresses or washcloths placed on the forehead and wrists often help to give the body the opportunity to dissipate the excess heat to the outside.
In addition, care should be taken to ensure sufficient fluid intake in the form of water and / or tea in order to compensate for water loss through sweating, to stabilize the circulation and to prevent dehydration.
Homeopathic febrile drugs can also be used in the event of a febrile vaccination reaction: common drugs are Aconitum, Belladonna, Ferrum phosphoricum, Gelseminum, Eupatorium and Pulsatilla in dosage D6-D12.
Cold leg compresses are available as home remedies to lower the fever. If the fever rises with chills, the patient should be warmed by appropriate clothing and blankets. It is important to always maintain adequate hydration.
However, if the temperature rises above 40 degrees or if the fever rises very quickly, drug therapy should be started to lower the fever. Paracetamol and Nurofen® are available for children.
Aspirin must never be used in children, as Reye's syndrome can be triggered.
Read more on the topic: How can you lower a fever?
Paracetamol is an active ingredient against fever (antipyretic effect) and against pain (analgesic effect) and is commonly used in adults.
It is available as tablets, juice, powder to dissolve, and rectal suppositories. The doctor can also administer it intravenously. The dosage of paracetamol depends on the body weight of the person and the dosage form. Paracetamol should not be given in the case of a paracetamol allergy, liver or kidney weakness.
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The fever in babies after vaccination develops for the same reason as in children or adults.
The immune system's response to the vaccine can cause vaccination reactions such as reddening of the injection site, pain or fever. Since babies can react with febrile seizures with a rapid rise in body temperature to over 38.5 degrees, observing the course of the fever is recommended here. The trigger for febrile seizures in babies is not the level of temperature, but the rapid rise in the fever. A febrile seizure in a baby can be recognized by tremors or twitching of the muscles all over the body with subsequent fatigue. However, so-called atonic cramps occur in which the baby is completely limp.
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The lips or the skin around the mouth may turn blue (cyanosis).
The cyanosis arises due to a lack of oxygen because the child does not breathe during the spasm. However, the cyanosis should resolve immediately after the attack. The seizure can be very frightening to outsiders, but is usually harmless to the child.Medication should only be used if the spasm lasts more than 5 minutes.
Nevertheless, the first seizure in a child's life should be clarified by a doctor, possibly in inpatient treatment. In children who are prone to febrile seizures, these seizures can usually not be avoided during a fever. As an emergency medication, an anticonvulsant may be prescribed for repeated seizures. This is mostly diazepam.
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In addition to the increase in temperature, accompanying flu-like symptoms such as
The fever after vaccination is not contagious. There are no active pathogens in a vaccine. This means that although the immune system reacts to the vaccine with an immune reaction and a subsequent fever, the disease that was vaccinated against cannot break out.
Since no active pathogens colonize the body, the fever is also not contagious. Nevertheless, children and adults who suffer from a vaccination reaction should be spared. This means that they should stay at home if possible and not go to kindergarten / daycare / school or go to work until the fever has subsided. The fever is a burden on the body, so extra exertion should be avoided.
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Vaccination should be avoided during a fever attack. Fever is an expression of an activation of the immune system. This means that the immune system forms antibodies against foreign material, in most cases these are pathogens. An immune reaction also takes place after the vaccination. This is indeed weakened in contrast to the reaction to a pathogen, but the vaccination can put additional stress on the immune system.
So that the immune system can eliminate the pathogen in the body without having to do additional work through the vaccination, vaccination is not required during the acute fever. The vaccination should then be made up at a later date when the person concerned is healthy again. The rabies vaccination and the tetanus vaccination are exceptional cases.
These two vaccinations can be given after the person comes into contact with the pathogen. Since the vaccination is the only chance to get the pathogen under control, it can also be given during an existing fever. However, this is an absolute exception.
The most reliable way to determine whether there is a temperature increase after a vaccination is to measure the body temperature using a clinical thermometer. Here, the rectal measurement (the thermometer is inserted into the anus) is the most accurate method, as the values determined come closest to the core body temperature.
Other measurement methods such as determining the temperature under the armpit, in the mouth or in the ear give an inaccurate measured value by measuring over the body surface, but also serve their purpose of providing a temperature overview.
Further indications of the presence of a fever are characteristic accompanying symptoms, such as feeling hot or chills, headache and body aches, sweating, warm and reddened facial skin, glassy and tired eyes and a feeling of exhaustion.