The hepatitis B vaccine is safe and effective, with mild and non-threatening side effects. The most common side effects are pain at the injection site and a slight fever. Rare but potentially serious side effects include allergic reactions, cardiovascular and nervous system issues, and autoimmune diseases.
All medicines and vaccines cause side effects, although in some cases they are very minor and may not be noticeable. Generally, hepatitis B vaccine side effects are mild and non-threatening, but there are some moderate to severe side effects that can occur in rare cases. The hepatitis B vaccine is a recombinant vaccine made from synthetic versions of the hepatitis B virus proteins. It is not a live or killed virus and therefore cannot cause a hepatitis B infection. This vaccine is safe for nearly all people, including infants, children, and the elderly.
The most common side effects of the hepatitis B vaccine are very mild and not dangerous. About 25% of people who have the vaccine will experience some pain at the injection site. About one in 15 people will have a temperature of 99.9 degrees Fahrenheit (37.7 degrees Celsius) or higher.
There are many other possible side effects of the hepatitis B vaccine, most of which are rare or harmless. Respiratory side effects that might occur include cough, rhinitis, upper respiratory tract infection, flu-like symptoms, and asthma-like symptoms. Visual disturbances, joint and muscle pain or stiffness, swollen lymph nodes, and mild allergic reactions may occur. Abnormal liver function tests are a rare side effect; More serious liver problems such as cancer or liver disease have no reported side effects.
A serious allergic reaction to the hepatitis B vaccine is extremely rare, occurring with a frequency of approximately one in 1.1 million. Symptoms of allergic hepatitis B vaccine side effects include hives or rash, tightness in the chest, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or mouth. If someone who has had the hepatitis B vaccine experiences these side effects, they should seek emergency medical attention right away.
Other potentially serious hepatitis B vaccine side effects include nervous system, cardiovascular, and immunological side effects. Cardiovascular side effects include low blood pressure, fainting, heart palpitations, and rapid heart rate. The immune system may be affected by the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus, or vasculitis, in which blood vessels near the site of infection become inflamed.
There are several possible nervous system side effects that can occur after using the hepatitis B vaccine. Temporary mild symptoms include headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, insomnia, and drowsiness. Seizures and inflammatory diseases of the nervous system such as encephalitis and myelitis are other possible consequences. People with multiple sclerosis may experience worsening of their symptoms after the hepatitis B vaccination.
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