All medical interventions come with their own particular set of possible negative outcomes. Most of the time we trust in our doctors to ensure the chances are minimal and that a procedure will be completed painlessly. In most cases, this is perfectly true thanks to quality medical care. Many possible negative results can easily be controlled for and removed. The few possible ones that remain are typically such low probability that it is barely worth considering them as an option. Serum sickness, however, represents one possible outcome that is harder to guard against. Despite the name, it has nothing to do with the serums we’re used to using in skin care, but is instead a potential outcome of injection-based procedures. We’ll be looking into this kind of allergic reaction to give you a better understanding of it and what to consider regarding injection-based treatments the next time you opt to get one.

So What Is It?
Serum sickness, to be specific, is a form of allergic reaction. Many procedures involving injections involve a brief waiting period after the injection to ensure that there are no immediate reactions. This is to help prevent a patient from suffering an acute reaction shortly after the procedure in an area where it is less easy to treat the problem. Serum sickness, however, is not a swift reaction. It can take anywhere from several days to slightly over a week before the symptoms become apparent. Fortunately, the symptoms are generally less severe than swift, acute reactions, but they can still be dangerous in rare cases. The reaction is typically believed to be caused by an injection including non-human animal-derived compounds that gradually irritate the immune system until symptoms begin presenting.

What Are The Symptoms?
As with many allergic reaction, the exact manifestation of the reaction varies from person to person. A sense lethargy and general feeling of being unwell is a relatively common, but typically harmless symptom. Classic reactions such as a rashes and itching are also highly common and more likely to be noticed. A very good sign to keep in mind is paying attention for swelling around the injection site. This is particularly true if the injection was around the head or neck. Some symptoms can be readily confused with the onset of an illness though. You should be aware of your body in case you begin to get a fever or experience joint pains within a few days of an injection. Other symptoms exist, but are often regarded as rarer.

What Can I Do?
Talking to your doctor before any injection-based treatment is ideal. Not every injection is capable of causing serum sickness. In fact, many injections have no chance of causing it at all. Your doctor should be able to tell you if there is a risk and provide you with a clear idea of what potential side effects you might expect from that particular injection. For your part, you should listen to your doctor and be aware of your body in the first two weeks following an injection that includes a risk of serum sickness. Don’t hesitate to call your doctor if you start experiencing symptoms. Most of the time the allergic reaction will fade on its own, but staying ahead of the reaction to guard against the potential for one of the more severe symptoms is advisable.

Serum sickness, like all allergic reactions, is a bit harder to guard against than other possible medical outcomes. Our bodies are constantly shifting and the development of a sudden allergy can happen to anyone. Keep an open line of communication with your doctor about your health routinely and not just following a particular treatment. Those with a healthy relationship with their doctor will enjoy greater overall health and a better ability to ensure they look and feel their best.