Table 1.

Solicited Local Reactions: Definitions, Terminology and Severity Scales

	Injection site pain	Injection site erythema1	Injection site swelling1
Memory Aid term	Pain	Redness	Swelling
Definition	See severity scale below for definitions	Presence of redness including the approximate point of needle entry	Swelling at or near the injection site*
Severity scale	Mild: Easily tolerated Moderate: Sufficiently discomforting to interfere with normal behavior or activities Severe: Incapacitating, unable to perform usual activities, may require medical care or absenteeism	Small: <2.5 cm Medium: ≥2.5 to <5 Large: ≥5 cm	Small: <2.5 cm Medium: ≥2.5 to <5 Large: ≥5 cm

^*Swelling or edema is caused by a fluid infiltration in tissue or cavity and, depending on the space available for the fluid to disperse, swelling may be either soft (typically) or firm (less typical) to touch and thus can be best described by looking at the size of the swelling