Intravenous Immune Globulin (IVIG): How to Care for Your Child

IVIG stands for "intravenous immune globulin." It's a medicine that helps protect against infections when the body's immune system is weak. IVIG contains antibodies – special proteins that help fight infections. These proteins are collected and prepared from donated blood. A child gets this medicine through an IV (a tiny tube inserted into a vein through the skin) or through a central line (a longer tube that's put into a vein and goes all the way up to a vein near the heart).

While getting IVIG, some kids get chills, a fever, a headache, or nausea (feeling sick to the stomach), or they may feel dizzy, tired, or moody. It's common to have a headache the day after IVIG, and sometimes the headache can last a couple of days. Rarely, a child can have an allergic reaction while getting the medicine.

• For pain, use acetaminophen (such as Tylenol® or a store brand) exactly as directed.

• Do not give ibuprofen (such as Advil®, Motrin®, or a store brand) unless the health care provider says it's OK.

• Do not give aspirin to your child or teen. It has been linked to a rare but serious illness called Reye syndrome.

• If your child isn't very hungry, offer small meals and give your child choices of what to eat.

• Offer your child plenty of water and other non-caffeinated liquids to drink.

• Encourage your child to move around for a few days after getting the IVIG treatment. If your child is very tired, this could mean gently stretching or walking around the home every couple of hours during the day.

Your child:

• vomits for more than 4 hours

• can't take prescribed medicines because of vomiting

• has a fever above:

  • 101°F (38.3°C) when taken by mouth once, or 100.4°F (38°C) when taken by mouth twice at least 1 hour apart

  • 100.4°F (38°C) when taken under the arm once, or 100°F (37.8°C) when taken under the arm twice at least 1 hour apart

• develops a yellow tint to the whites of the eyes or of the skin

• is peeing much less or much more than usual

• has a rash

• develops redness, swelling, or soreness in the area where the medicine went in

• took acetaminophen for a headache, but it didn't help

Your child:

• feels short of breath or is breathing very fast

• has swelling in an arm or leg

• develops blurry or double vision, trouble speaking, or trouble moving any body parts

• has red or brown urine (pee)

• appears dehydrated; signs include dizziness, drowsiness, dry or sticky mouth, sunken eyes, crying with little or no tears, or peeing less often (or having fewer wet diapers)

• becomes confused or faints

• has a seizure

Call 911 if your child has signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as hoarseness; tightness in the chest or throat; wheezing; trouble breathing; hives; paleness; weakness; dizziness; a fast heartbeat; or swelling of the lips, tongue, or face.

Can my child get vaccines while on IVIG? Some vaccines don't work as well in kids who are on IVIG. Talk to your health care provider about when your child should get vaccines.