Meningitis Vaccine side effects
Though most parents are extremely happy to have a vaccine against meningitis, vaccine side-effects are an issue that refuse to die down. While it is normal to have some meningitis vaccine side-effects like a mild fever, local swelling and redness at the site of the vaccine, some of the reported side-effects like black-outs and fits, are a cause of concern.
Meningitis Vaccine side effects
In a large number of people who have a meningitis vaccine, side effects may include nausea, a headache, joint pain, fatigue and rashes but most of these symptoms die out within a day or two. This is an expected reaction since, after all, the vaccine consists of the sugar wall coating of the meningitis-causing organism and the body's immune system is fooled into believing that it is the real agent and reacts accordingly. Adults may also experience sleepiness or myalgia (muscle pain).
Children, whether infants, toddlers or older children, exhibit one common meningitis vaccine side effect - irritability which may be caused, at least in part, by headaches due to the body's reaction to the challenge of the vaccine. they may also exhibit meningitis vaccine side effects like diarrhea, vomiting and refusing a feed or food.
However, when after a meningitis vaccine, side effects like wheezing, hives, swelling of the face and mouth occur, it is a matter of severe concern and a doctor must be consulted immediately since these symptoms could be a precursor to anaphylactic shock (and subsequent death).
Very serious meningitis vaccine side effects are observed very rarely, if at all, and are, in general, severe allergic reactions to the vaccinating agent. The most common symptoms are:
(a) Breathing trouble or squeezing sensation in the lungs
(b) Voice becomes hoarse or there is wheezing
(c) Hives erupt all over the body
(d) The skin in general and the face in particular becomes pale
(e) The patient feels weak
(f) The patient's heartbeat is fast and the pulse thready and weak
(g) The patient complains of dizziness
One of the most dangerous, but not fully proven, meningitis vaccine side effects is the suspected onset of the Guillain-Barr syndrome, which, reports the US Center for Disease Control, occurs in 1.25 cases out of a million who receive the vaccination.
