Have you ever wondered why different spots are chosen for different shots by your doctor? Read on to find out
DID YOU KNOW?
Muscles are good places for injecting vaccines because they contain immune cells that immediately recognise the disease-fighting antigens in the vaccine and transport them to the lymphatic system.
Time to scream! Because we are talking about your least favourite topic: injections! From babyhood onwards, you've probably wailed your way through any number of injections or shots. A lot of them are vaccines, but some are medicines.
Most shots are injected into the arm, but for some, the doctor may tell you to pull down your shorts or pants and poke the needle into your butt or into the stomach. There are also intravenous injections where the medicines are introduced directly into a vein in your arm or hand via a needle.
Have you ever wondered why different spots are chosen for different shots?
It depends on the type of medicine being injected, the amount of medicine and the time it takes for the medicine to be absorbed in the body.
Since intravenous (IV) injections go directly into the vein, the medicine goes into the body really quickly. For example, saline or glucose is administered intravenously in the hospital during emergency medical care.
Some shots are injected directly into a muscle. They are called intramuscular (IM) injections. The medicine is absorbed more slowly by the blood than in IV shots. The most common locations for IM shots are the deltoid muscle of the shoulder or arm (where you got your anti-COVID vaccine), the gluteus medius (a fancier name for the butt), or vastus lateralis or thigh muscle for little children (your mom will probably tell you that's where you got your DPT vaccine as a baby).
Subcutaneous (SC) injections are directed into fatty tissue, where there is less blood supply. The medicine is taken up by the body more slowly than IM shots. SC shots are usually injected into the abdominal fold. For instance, insulin shots are given in the stomach.
The last kind are intradermal (ID) injections. They are aimed into the middle layer of the skin and are absorbed slowest of all. The inner surface of the forearm and the upper back, under the shoulder blade, are chosen sites for testing allergens and injecting some kinds of local anaesthetics.
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