After being scratched by a small hamster and receiving an injection, can I take fever-reducing medicine if I develop a fever?

Generally, after receiving an injection due to a scratch from a small hamster, if fever occurs, antipyretic medication can be taken if the body temperature is high or accompanied by discomfort. If the temperature is low and there are no obvious symptoms, observation may be sufficient. If in doubt, it is recommended to seek medical advice promptly. The detailed analysis is as follows:

If the fever exceeds 38.5°C, or is accompanied by obvious discomfort such as headache, muscle aches, or fatigue, taking antipyretic medication (such as acetaminophen tablets or ibuprofen suspension) can help relieve symptoms and prevent adverse effects of high fever on the body. Antipyretics do not interact with vaccines administered after the scratch (e.g., rabies vaccine), nor do they interfere with the vaccine's ability to induce immunity; therefore, concerns about drug interactions are unnecessary.

If the body temperature is below 38.5°C and there are no significant symptoms such as headache or fatigue, the fever may be a normal immune response following vaccination. In this case, there is no need to rush into taking antipyretic medication. Physical cooling methods such as wiping the body with lukewarm water or reducing clothing can be used instead. Close monitoring of temperature changes is advised to avoid unnecessary medication burden and to help distinguish whether the fever is due to the vaccine reaction or another underlying cause.

Antipyretic medications should be taken according to the instructions on the label or as directed by a physician, ensuring proper dosage to avoid overdose. If the fever lasts longer than 24 hours, body temperature repeatedly rises, or new symptoms appear (such as rash or vomiting), prompt medical evaluation is necessary. Be sure to inform the doctor about the history of the scratch and injection received.