Immunization side effects   by Ozi

Active immunization

Active immunization entails the introduction of a foreign molecule into the body, which causes the body itself to generate immunity against the target. This immunity comes from the T cells and the B cells with their antibodies.

Active immunization can occur naturally when a person comes in contact with, for example, a microbe. If the person has not yet come into contact with the microbe and has no pre-made antibodies for defense (like in passive immunization), the person becomes immunized. The immune system will eventually create antibodies and other defenses against the microbe. The next time, the immune response against this microbe can be very efficient; this is the case in many of the childhood infections that a person only contracts once, but then is immune.

Artificial active immunization is where the microbe, or parts of it, are injected into the person before they are able to take it in naturally. If whole microbes are used, they are pre-treated, Attenuated vaccine

Passive immunization

Passive immunization is where pre-synthesized elements of the immune system are transferred to a person so that the body does not need to produce these elements itself. Currently, antibodies can be used for passive immunization. This method of immunization begins to work very quickly, but it is short lasting, because the antibodies are naturally broken down, and if there are no B cells to produce more antibodies, they will disappear.

Passive immunization occurs physiologically, when antibodies are transferred from mother to fetus during pregnancy, to protect the fetus before and shortly after birth.

Artificial passive immunization is normally administered by injection and is used if there has been a recent outbreak of a particular disease or as an emergency treatment for toxicity (for example, for tetanus). The antibodies can be produced in animals ("serum therapy") although there is a high chance of anaphylactic shock because of immunity against animal serum itself. Thus, humanized antibodies produced in vitro by cell culture are used instead if available.

Vaccine side effects can be defined as the adverse reactions that may be caused due to a vaccine. Almost all vaccines have a localized effect, such as swelling, soreness, redness and pain at the place where the vaccine is administered. These symptoms generally subside and go away within a few days after the vaccination.

A few individuals may also develop a lump at the site of the injection. The lump may take a few weeks to settle but is generally not uncomfortable. A few side effects of a vaccine may be felt by some individuals. Symptoms such as fever, head pain, nausea and vomiting, fatigue and loss of appetite. These general side effects also go away in a few days.

Most immunization vaccines may cause side effects. However these are minor and disappear in a few days. Below we discuss some immunization vaccines and their side effects.

Anthrax: Anthrax is a severe disease that can be prevented by immunization. Some possible side effects of this vaccine are soreness, reddening and itching on the arm, muscle pain or limited muscular movement, headache and fatigue. A more severe effect could be an allergic reaction but is very rare.

DTaP: The risk of not getting immunized against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis is higher than the side effects of the vaccine. Some common effects are fever, vomiting, redness, soreness, tiredness and fussiness after the vaccine. Rare long term side effects may be seizures, coma or permanent brain damage.

Hepatitis - A: It is advisable to be immunized against Hepatitis-A as it can be fatal. A few mild side effects may be head pain, pain in the arm, reduction in appetite and fatigue. Some people may get a severe allergic reaction within sometime of the vaccine but is extremely rare.

Hepatitis - B: This is a safe vaccine and does not have side effects in most individuals. However some people may report discomfort where the vaccine is given and may also have a mild fever.

Hib: Very few individuals report a side effect with this immunization vaccine. Swelling and redness where the individual is vaccinated may appear and some people may run a fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit.

H1N1: A few common side effects of the vaccine are redness, soreness and swelling at the place where the shot was given. Other side effects like fainting, nausea, head pain and muscle pain and fever may be seen in some individuals.