Your Care Instructions
Serum sickness is an unexpected reaction to some medicines. Medicines that can cause it include antibiotics like penicillin. Some vaccines, insect stings, or spider bites might also cause it.
Symptoms may start 7 to 10 days after you take the medicine. (They may start sooner if you have had the medicine before.) You might have a rash, hives, or joint pain. You may also have a fever, a headache, or swollen glands. Sometimes you just feel sick. Your symptoms will probably go away on their own, but they may last up to several weeks.
Your doctor might give you medicine to help your fever, pain, or skin problems. The doctor may also prescribe a steroid medicine. It can help calm down the body's response.
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.