San José, Costa Rica. January, 2016.

The vaccines to protect against the AH1N1 and other strains could have secondary effects. These could appear hours after the shot and vary according to the body of each patient.

According to Dr. Guillermo Fernández, general physician of the Clínica Bíblica Hospital, “the reaction may appear in two ways, it could be systemic, that is, over the entire body, or it could appear as a local reaction, in the place where the shot was applied.”

The body may react this way as a method of defense from the virus that is being introduced into the body. Among the symptoms that could appear are:

• General discomfort
• Body ache or headache
• Nasal fluids
• Sleepiness

According to Dr. Fernández, if the person wants to take some medication to reduce the discomfort, the recommendation is acetaminophen, ibuprofen or sulindac.

“The response of each patient is different, it can be that a patient does not have any secondary effect, but others may have a very strong reaction and that affects them more. Each reaction responds to the defense system of the human body against the virus injected,” said the physician.

The vaccine is not recommended for patients with weakened defense systems, for example patients with cancer, receiving chemotherapy treatment, with AIDS, with leukemia or in cases where it is known that the patient is allergic to any component of the vaccine.

IIn all cases, it is best to consult with your trusted physician.

In order to obtain further information or to request an appointment in any of the medical specialties with the best doctors of Costa Rica, please contact the private hospital Clínica Bíblica at telephone number 2522-1000, at email citas@clinicabiblica.com or vía chat on the website www.clinicabiblica.com