With the COVID-19 vaccination drive taking over, it is time to understand how to take care of yourself post you get your vaccine, with all the protection and immunity that it comes with. We have already seen a lot of our friends, family, and acquaintances getting the jab, and at the same time have also heard stories of side effects that they have been experiencing post getting the vaccine. These side effects range from arm pain to fever, body ache, headache and more. While the first vaccination may have milder side effects, the second shot often tends to be a bit more intense. In this article, we take a look at the different ways in which you can lower the impact of these side effects on your body. Let’s take a look at them below.
Tips for Care
There are certain things you can take care of when you’re getting the jab for COVID-19. These include the following:
● Get the vaccine in your non-dominant arm
● Apply ice to the arm that receives the vaccine
● Have the medicine as prescribed to you at the healthcare center where you got the shot
● Drinks lots of water and an energy drink containing electrolytes if you feel the need
● Do not wear clothes that are tight around your arm and hinder arm and hand movement
● If you feel sick or experience some weakness, then take an off from work and give yourself the time to rest it out
And finally, don’t let the fear of side effects stop you from taking the vaccine. The side effects, if at all, will only last for 36 hours and will generally pass.
Side Effects You May Experience
The side effects can range from person to person - here is a look at them.
● Your arm may become red, sore, or swollen, immediately after taking the jab
● You may experience headaches, fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue
● Very rarely, it can lead to anaphylaxis shock, but this would only happen within the first few minutes of you getting the vaccine
There might be lingering soreness after 36 hours of receiving the vaccine, but If your symptoms still persist after 48 hours of getting the vaccine, then it is advisable to seek medical attention.
It would also be important to note that the coronavirus vaccine does not infect your body with anything, but rather causes it to trigger with an immunogenic response to promote antibody production against the virus. This is the only reason why one may even experience any side effects - this goes to show that your body is preparing itself for immuno protection.
Allergic Reactions Post Vaccination
Some people may also experience an allergic reaction to the vaccine - but you would mostly experience them within the observation period post vaccination. Make sure if you inform the attendant, in case you experience any of the following signs:
● Fainting
● Vomiting
● Itching
● Wheezing
To Sum It Up
Please understand that the vaccination serves as a shield against the COVID vaccine, but does not offer a hundred percent protection against the virus. This implies that while the vaccine may offer you protection against severe virus symptoms, you can still get infected. Scientists all over the world say that you may not be protected from coronavirus until after two weeks of getting the second jab.
Make sure you do not let your guard down when it comes to safety and precautions. Follow proper hygiene and sanitation standards even after getting the shot. These precautions entail the following:
● Wash your hands or use a sanitizer, as much as possible
● Follow 1 meter distancing practice everywhere
● Keep proper ventilation at all times
● Wear a mask
Consult with your healthcare practitioner or doctor before the vaccine, if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or suffer from a chronic condition.
In order to protect yourself further by improving your immunity levels, you can also try various Wellbeing Nutrition products like the Grandma’s Kadha or Daily Greens, both of which are combinations of different herbs, vegetables, and other organic ingredients, aiming to safeguard your health. Grandma’s kadha can help boost your immunity, protect you from cough and cold, while Daily Greens aims at providing your body with optimum nutrition.
References
● What's New in the Guidelines (https://www.covid19treatmentguidelines.nih.gov/whats-new/)
● C4591001 Clinical Trial Group. Safety and Efficacy of the BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 Vaccine. N Engl J Med. 2020 Dec (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33301246/)
● What are the differences between the vaccines that are available? (https://covid19.nih.gov/treatments-and-vaccines/covid-19-vaccines)
● COVID-19 Clinical Studies (https://www.coronaviruspreventionnetwork.org/clinical-studies-faq/)
● Riad A, Pokorná A, Attia S, Klugarová J, Koščík M, Klugar M. Prevalence of COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effects among Healthcare Workers in the Czech Republic. J Clin Med. 2021;10(7):1428. Published 2021 Apr 1. doi:10.3390/jcm10071428 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8037149/)
● Doulberis M, Papaefthymiou A, Kotronis G, et al. Does COVID-19 Vaccination Warrant the Classical Principle "ofelein i mi vlaptin"?. Medicina (Kaunas). 2021;57(3):253. Published 2021 Mar 9. doi:10.3390/medicina57030253 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7999356/)
● Biswas N, Mustapha T, Khubchandani J, Price JH. The Nature and Extent of COVID-19 Vaccination Hesitancy in Healthcare Workers. J Community Health. 2021 Apr 20:1–8. doi: 10.1007/s10900-021-00984-3. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33877534; PMCID: PMC8056370. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33877534/)
