What causes fever after receiving the final dose of the 13-valent pneumococcal vaccine?
Fever generally refers to an elevated body temperature. After receiving the final dose of the 13-valent pneumococcal vaccine, fever may occur as a result of adverse reactions to the vaccine or due to a viral infection.
1. During the process in which the vaccine stimulates antibody production in the body, symptoms such as fever may appear. This is usually considered a normal vaccine reaction. The fever is typically mild and often resolves spontaneously within 1 to 3 days.
2. Fever following the final vaccine dose could also be caused by secondary viral infection. Vaccination might temporarily lower resistance, increasing susceptibility to viral infections. In such cases, it's important to visit a hospital to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate symptomatic treatment.
Treatment options for fever after vaccination include:
1. If the fever resulting from a vaccine reaction is below 37.5°C, physical cooling methods can be used, such as fever-reducing patches, suppositories, applying a warm towel to the forehead, or wiping areas rich in large blood vessels (such as the groin and armpits) with alcohol to help reduce body temperature.
2. If the fever is caused by a viral infection, further examinations are needed to confirm the diagnosis. Besides reducing fever, treatment should also target the underlying illness. For fevers caused by bacterial infections, antibiotics such as levofloxacin, roxithromycin, or cephalosporins may be prescribed under a doctor’s guidance.
After vaccination, observation and conservative management are recommended for fever. It's advisable to drink plenty of warm water to promote the elimination of metabolic waste products. Avoid taking antiviral or anti-inflammatory medications unless necessary.