The outbreak of Covid-19 has left us in ruins. As per the Covid specialist in Kolkata, the vaccine is quite effective to prepare your body to fight against the virus. Alongside, the physicians do not guarantee 100% immunity to the virus after one is vaccinated. However, the vaccine prevents the body from being severely affected and makes the immune system strong enough to fight and protect the body as much as possible.
Currently, India has allowed 2 vaccines with a 3rd one on the row. Individuals are required to take two doses of the vaccines, with gaps in between. The gap between the first and the second depends on the type of vaccine and may range anywhere between 28 days to 56 days.
That being said, there are some side effects that people are experiencing after being inoculated. These side effects are temporary and go away with time. In case you are experiencing abnormalities after being vaccinated, or the side effects seem to worsen with time, it is recommended that you seek medical help immediately. You can get in touch with a critical care specialist with vast Covid care experience like Dr. Amitabha Saha to address your conditions and get quality treatment.
Having said that, here are some of the common side-effects of the Covid-19 vaccine that you should know about –
- Pain, swelling and redness on the arm where you have received the shot
- Chills
- Nausea
- Tiredness
- Muscle pain
- Fever
- Headache
How to deal with the side effects?
You can get in touch with your physician and deal with the side effects with over-the-counter medicines such as acetaminophen, antihistamines, ibuprofen, aspirin or any other medicines as prescribed by your doctor.
Note: Do not take any medicine without consulting your doctor.
In addition, some external relief techniques include –
- To reduce pain and discomfort where you received the shot you can apply a cool compress using a clean, cool and wet washcloth over the area of discomfort and the surrounding area as well.
- If you get a fever after the shot, consider drinking plenty of fluids to keep yourself hydrated and dress lightly.
Are the side effects of the second shot the same?
As per the Covid specialist in Kolkata, the side effects intensifies after the second dose. It is because the body is adapting to the injected virus and is preparing the required antibody. The side effects may also be a way your immune system responds to the vaccine.
How?
If you have never been infected by Covid-19 and have taken the first shot, the virus protein injected in the body via the vaccine causes your cell to produce spike protein which is new to the body (but harmless and is not supposed to infect you).
This antigen in the body is recognized as a foreign body and hence can cause inflammation at the injected area. The cells causing inflammation in the arm also sends a signal to the body to create antibodies that would fight against the spike protein. When you go for the second shot, the body recognises it as a threat and hence launches a stronger response. This reaction often leads to intensified side effects and flu-like symptoms.
It is harmful?
Well, with this process the body creates more antibodies which can help the body protect you against the virus in the future.
What if the one vaccinated has been exposed to Covid-19?
The Covid specialist in Kolkata states that for individuals who have never been exposed to Covid-19, the first dose prepares the immune system and the second dose serves as a booster. But in the case of individuals who have been exposed to Covid-19, the infection prepares the immune system and the first dose acts as the booster and may experience more symptoms after the first dose as compared to the ones who have not been infected before.
Note: The Covid specialist in Kolkata and the CDC or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting completely vaccinated with both doses even if you have been infected with Covid-19. It is said, that after the 1st dose one may be infected but the severity is expected to be low. So after the 1st dose as well, the body is building up the required immunity to fight against the Covid infection. Keep in mind that vaccination is the only way to fight against Covid-19.
To learn more about your symptoms you can get in touch with a doctor holding experience in treating Covid-19. Considering the current scenario the leading Covid specialists in Kolkata consult online as well so that you can get in with them at the comfort of your home and without having to step out.