Side effects of BCG vaccination

BCG is a very important disease prevention vaccine. It strengthens people's body resistance and can prevent related diseases. However, the BCG vaccine will have some effects on the body after injection, and many people treat it as a side effect. Let’s take a look at the side effects of BCG vaccination. I hope everyone can understand and correctly understand the BCG medical vaccine.

What are the side effects of BCG?

1. "BCG systemic reaction" may occur after the use of therapeutic BCG. Clinical symptoms include: fever of 39.5℃ or above, lasting for 12 hours or more; fever of 38.5℃ or above, lasting for 48 hours or more; pneumonia, hepatitis, abnormal function of external urogenital organs, granulomatous inflammation with biopsy; or traditional symptoms of sepsis, including poor circulation, acute dyspnea and scattered intravascular coagulation.

2. Therapeutic BCG may cause local reactions after use. After infusion, the bladder may be stimulated by the drug solution and symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, hematuria, and difficulty urinating may occur.

3. Low fever may occur after use of therapeutic BCG. It usually occurs 2 to 3 hours after taking the medicine and lasts for several days. There is no need to stop medication or receive treatment, as the disease can heal on its own. The incidence is high, and more than half of the patients may experience such symptoms.

4. A small number of patients may feel uncomfortable, weak, have joint pain, and have a body temperature above 38°C after using therapeutic BCG. In some patients, BCG invades local tissues and causes bacterial growth and reproduction, resulting in urethritis, prostatitis, orchitis or epididymitis.

5. In very few patients, BCG pneumonia or hepatitis may occur due to BCG infection through the blood. Patients who experience systemic reactions should stop taking the medication immediately and be treated with anti-tuberculosis drugs, symptomatic drugs, etc.

6. Reports of death: Two cases of death caused by the use of BCG have been reported abroad, both of which were related to systemic BCG reactions. One case was related to his previous liver alcohol poisoning, lack of attention to catheter trauma and intracavitary medication. The second case may be related to the continuation of BCG treatment without awareness of the systemic BCG reaction.