Symptoms in the arm after BCG vaccine injection

Vaccines are a very good way to prevent certain diseases, especially some serious and difficult to treat diseases. The main function of BCG vaccine is to make children resistant to tuberculosis and can effectively reduce the incidence of miliary tuberculosis and tuberculous meningitis. However, the BCG vaccine also has some adverse side effects, so please deal with them promptly if any abnormalities are found. So, what are the symptoms in the arm after BCG vaccine?

Adverse Reactions

1. Common adverse reactions

(l) About 2 weeks after vaccination, local redness, swelling and infiltration may occur. If this happens, purulent ulcers may form, which usually scab over after 8 to 12 weeks. Generally no treatment is required, but attention should be paid to local cleaning to prevent secondary infection.

(2) Those with pustules, superficial ulcers and secondary infections should go to the hospital for treatment by a doctor. For the former, apply 1% gentian violet and let it dry and form a scab. For the latter, sprinkle anti-inflammatory powder on the wound surface. Do not drain pus or remove the scab on your own.

(3) If the diameter of local abscesses and ulcers exceeds 10 mm or does not heal for a long time (more than 12 weeks), timely diagnosis and treatment should be given.

(4) Lymph node reaction: The axillary lymph nodes on the inoculated side (a few are supraclavicular or contralateral axillary lymph nodes) may be slightly swollen, generally not exceeding 10 mm, and disappear after 1 to 2 months. If local lymph nodes become swollen, softened and form pustules, timely diagnosis and treatment should be sought.

(5) A transient fever reaction may occur after vaccination. Most of them are mild fever reactions, which will resolve on their own after 1 to 2 days and generally do not require treatment. For moderate fever reactions or fever duration exceeding 48 hours, symptomatic treatment can be given.

2. Rare adverse reactions

(1) Severe lymph node reaction: clinically divided into caseous, abscess type, sinus type, etc. If there is a strong reaction in the lymph nodes near the vaccination site, such as in the armpits, above and below the clavicle, or in the neck, and the local lymph nodes swell and soften to form pustules, timely diagnosis and treatment should be given.

(2) Keloids are occasionally seen during re-implantation.

3. Extremely rare adverse reactions

(l) Osteomyelitis.

(2) Allergic rash and allergic purpura.

Precautions

1. Subcutaneous or intramuscular injection is strictly prohibited.

2. The syringe used for BCG vaccination should be dedicated and should not be used for other injections to prevent suppurative reactions.

3. When opening the vaccine bottle and injecting, do not allow disinfectant to come into contact with the vaccine.

4. Vaccine bottles with cracks, unclear or expired labels, or those that appear turbid after reconstitution should not be used.

5. The vaccine should be used immediately after opening. If it needs to be stored, it should be kept at 2℃~8℃ and used up within half an hour. Any remaining vaccine should be discarded.

6. Drugs such as epinephrine should be available for emergency use in case of severe allergic reactions. The recipient should be observed on site for at least 30 minutes after the injection.

7. Freezing is strictly prohibited.

8. Avoid light when using.