Along with its needing effects, a vaccine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. It is very important that you tell your family doctor about any side effect that occurs after a dose of DTP , even though the side effect may have gone away without treat. Some types of side effects may mean that your child must not receive any more doses of DTP.
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following side effects occur :
Less frequent
Collapse; crying for 3 or more hours
Rare
Confusion; convulsions - seizures; difficulty in breathing or swallowing; fever of 105 °F - 40.5 °C or more; headache - severe or continuing; hives; irritability - unusual; itching, especially of feet or hands; periods of unconsciousness or lack of awareness; reddening of skin, especially around ears; sleepiness - unusual and continuing; swelling of eyes, face, or inside of nose; unusual tiredness, weakness - sudden and severe; vomiting - severe or continuing
More common side effects may occur that usually don't needed medical attention. These side effects may go away as your child's body adjusts to the vaccine. However, check with your family doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
More common
Fever between 100.4 and 102.2 °F - 38 and 39 °C - may occur with fretfulness, drowsiness, vomiting and loss of appetite; lump at place of injection - may be present for a few weeks after injection; redness, swelling, tenderness, or pain at place of injection
Less common
Fever between 102.2 and 104 °F - 39 and 40 °C - may occur with fretfulness, drowsiness, vomiting and loss of appetite
Rare
Fever between 104 and 105 °F - 40 and 40.5 °C - may occur with fretfulness, drowsiness, vomiting and loss of appetite; skin rash; swollen glands on side of neck - following DTP injection into arm
More common side effects not listed above may also occur in some diseaseds. If you have any other problems, check with your family doctor.