I am scared to death to take the Hep B vaccine. But I am a new nurse and I start my job in a LTC facility tomorrow. I know and I have read all the good things about it, even talked to my doc about being afraid and he reassured me. BUT I am having major panic attacks tonight as I have to take it tomorrow. Major panic attacks...palpitations, SOB, etc. Can you all reassure me even more? Do you know anyone that the vaccine affected badly...made really really sick. SHould I take acetaminophen 30 mins before the injection?
I am scared to death.
Laurie, LPN
Oct 14, '02
i took the first three rotation of shots in 1993 and i was fine. i have taken two this year, in fact the other day i took my second rotation, and i am still fine.
my records were not available and i opt to take the three rotations again for getting into school.
Oct 14, '02
Thank you.....that helps....a little!
Oct 14, '02
I took all three and it was a breeze...no pain or sickness. I am from also from Georgia! What part do you lay claim to! haha! I am living in Thomasville now...but I am originally from Brunswick. Nice to meet ya!
Oct 14, '02
I had no problem, and was GLAD to get them! Getting Hep B is much worse ... lets see... potential life-threatening disease, shot, potential life-threatening disease...
SHOT! Yep, no doubts. They were nothing, really!
Oct 14, '02
I've gone through the entire series 3 times now. (I do not show a titer) I am not going through it again, even though I have a negative titer because after so many times I am likely to develope an allergic reaction. However, CDC says I still could be immune. It is like any immunization if it is warmed a little (it is refrigated) it is less painful. If a small gage needle is used it is less likely to be uncomfortable. If it is injected slowly it is less uncomfortable. The same nurse can give it to you more than onec and one time it will hurt another it will not.
Never had and never knew anyone with a bad reaction.
I would be more concerned with the consequences of not taking it. Hope this helps.
You don't have to take it you know. If you need time to prepare yourself emoationally or what ever you have the right to take that time. You can take it later. You have that right.
Oct 14, '02
"You don't have to take it you know. If you need time to prepare yourself emoationally or what ever you have the right to take that time. You can take it later. You have that right."
Yes, you do have that right. But not if you want to work in the facililty! At least that was my choice... get the shots or don't go to the facility. My choice.
Oct 14, '02
I had my first hepatitis B vaccine in the early eighties when it first came out (and when there was a chance of actually getting hepatitis or worse from it). I had no problems. I actually had to get a booster a couple of years ago because my titer was so low (got the new vaccine that time - no problems with that either). Now, I'm not a great fan of taking medications I may not need, but I'm an ER nurse and really prefer to avoid hepatitis.
I've given a million or so hep B vaccines and have never seen a bad reaction (not to say they couldn't occur). Have seen several people die of hepatitis though.
Good luck. And I agree with Val - if you choose not to take the vaccine, find a job where you will never have contact with bodily fluids.
Oct 14, '02
Piece of cake. I took them and had very little problems. Local soreness at the injection site, and felt a little tired the day after the second one, like feeling a cold coming on but it went away. It wasn't a big deal. Go ahead. You'll be glad. The number of people you come into contact with that have hepatitis or have been exposed to it are quite large over a period of years.
Oct 14, '02
I know how you feel. I have a terrible phobia about being on the receiving end of a needle. But I did take the 3 shot series and had no problems. I would rather experience a little soreness after the shots than contract Hep B.
Oct 14, '02
Piece of cake, not only have I had all 4 (I needed 4 to convert), I had my kids done even before it was mandated. I used to give the Hep B shot to day old 4 lb. infants without any problems. Get the shots.
Oct 15, '02
Take tylenol if you want, but definitely GET VACCINATED. If you knew the devastating things Hepatitis B can cause (including DEATH w/in 48 hours of onset), you'd be running in there, begging them for it. Close your eyes, do some deep breathing, stay calm, you'll be fine. At this point, the most important thing is to RELAX!
Oct 15, '02
I got mine in 94. I don't remember a single adverse effect. I've never heard of anyone who has either.
Oct 14, '02Occupation: ADON-LTC Specialty: 19 year(s) of experience in LTC, ER, ICU, ; Joined: Feb '01; Posts: 5,856; Likes: 36i took the first three rotation of shots in 1993 and i was fine. i have taken two this year, in fact the other day i took my second rotation, and i am still fine.
Oct 14, '02Occupation: Medicare claims review for major insurance company Specialty: 30 year(s) of experience in telemetry, case management ; From: US ; Joined: Oct '02; Posts: 1,176; Likes: 760Piece of cake. I took them and had very little problems. Local soreness at the injection site, and felt a little tired the day after the second one, like feeling a cold coming on but it went away. It wasn't a big deal. Go ahead. You'll be glad. The number of people you come into contact with that have hepatitis or have been exposed to it are quite large over a period of years.
Oct 15, '02Occupation: Re-retired Specialty: 42 year(s) of experience in NICU, Infection Control ; From: CA, US ; Joined: Dec '00; Posts: 12,419; Likes: 3,760Take tylenol if you want, but definitely GET VACCINATED. If you knew the devastating things Hepatitis B can cause (including DEATH w/in 48 hours of onset), you'd be running in there, begging them for it. Close your eyes, do some deep breathing, stay calm, you'll be fine. At this point, the most important thing is to RELAX!
Oct 15, '02Joined: Apr '02; Posts: 4,738; Likes: 104I got mine in 94. I don't remember a single adverse effect. I've never heard of anyone who has either.
