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After the Shots %u25CF %u25CF %u25CF

What to do if your child has discomfort

Your child may need extra love and care after getting vaccinated. Some vaccinations

that protect children from serious diseases also can cause discomfort for a while.

Here are answers to questions many parents have after their children have been

vaccinated. If this sheet doesn't answer your questions, call your clinic or health

care provider.

I think my child has a fever. What should I do?

Check your child's temperature to find out if there is a fever. Do not use a mercury thermometer. If your child is younger than 3 years of age, taking a temperature with a rectal digital thermometer provides the best reading.

Once your child is 4 or 5 years of age, you may prefer taking a temperature by mouth with an oral digital thermometer. Tympanic thermometers, which measure temperature inside the ear, are another option for older babies and children. If your child is older than 3 months of age, you can also take an underarm (axillary) temperature, although it is not as accurate.

Here are some things you can do to help reduce fever:

%u2022 Give your child plenty to drink.

%u2022 Clothe your child lightly. Do not cover or wrap your child tightly.

%u2022 Give your child a fever-reducing medication such as acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (e.g., Advil®, Motrin®). Do not give aspirin. Recheck your child's temperature after 1 hour.

%u2022 Sponge your child in 1-2 inches of lukewarm water.

%u2022 If your child's temperature is _____°F (_____°C) or higher or, if you have questions, call your clinic or health care provider.

My child has been fussy since getting vaccinated. What should I do?

After vaccination, children may be fussy due to pain or fever. You may want to give your child a medication such as acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (e.g., Advil®, Motrin®) to reduce pain and fever.

Do not give aspirin. If your child is fussy for more than 24 hours, call your clinic or health care provider.

My child's leg or arm is swollen, hot, and red. What should I do?

%u2022 Apply a clean, cool, wet washcloth over the sore area for comfort.

%u2022 For pain, give a medication such as acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (e.g., Advil

®, Motrin®). Do not give aspirin.

%u2022 If the redness or tenderness increases after 24 hours, call your clinic or health care provider.

My child seems really sick. Should I call my health care provider?

If you are worried at all about how your child looks or feels, call your clinic or health care provider!

Vaccinations may hurt a little . . .but disease can hurt a lot!