Why does a baby cry and refuse to sleep after receiving the hepatitis B vaccine, and what should be done?
After receiving the hepatitis B vaccine, infants may become fussy and have trouble sleeping due to physiological factors, or possibly due to allergic reactions or infection at the injection site. Targeted treatment should be based on the specific cause. Detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Physiological Factors
If an infant is particularly sensitive to pain, discomfort at the injection site after vaccination may lead to crying and irritability. In such cases, closely monitor the symptoms. If there are no abnormalities at the injection site, this is generally not a cause for concern; focus instead on comforting and soothing the infant.
2. Medical Conditions
a. Allergic Reaction
If an infant has a sensitive constitution and is allergic to the vaccine, an allergic reaction may occur after vaccination, manifesting as rash, itching, fever, and other symptoms, which can cause persistent crying. In such cases, medications such as loratadine granules or levocetirizine hydrochloride granules should be administered under a doctor’s guidance.
b. Injection Site Infection
If proper care is not provided at the injection site after vaccination, local infection may develop, presenting as redness, swelling, discharge, and pain. This can lead to repeated crying in the infant. In such cases, follow medical advice to apply topical treatments such as erythromycin ointment or chlortetracycline hydrochloride ointment.
Parents are advised to closely observe their infant's symptoms. If any signs of discomfort occur after vaccination, prompt medical attention is recommended to avoid delays in treatment.