What are the critical periods?
[Section Updated: 2/97] Most of the above “Do’s and Don’ts” will be particularly important during the “critical 3 days”. These 3 days are the day before the shot, the day of the shot, and the day following the shot. The second day following the shot is some times included as a fourth day. As people improve they may, with their doctor’s permission, be able to reduce their observation of “the critical days” to 24 hours before and 24 hours after the shot. The “Do’s and Don’ts” chart found in the 1996 Pink Book has restrictions identified for the entire period from 11 days before the shot until 28 days following. Most of the problem x’s for most people occur in the week before the shot and the week after. These include food restrictions (easier than the critical 3 days), caffeine, and medications.
