The distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine is increasing in the US, but according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) there is still much more work to be done. More than 100 million doses were administered at the time of publication – but the number is expected to rise rapidly following the authorization of the Johnson & Johnson single vaccine.
On March 11, President Joe Biden announced that he would order states to admit every adult in the U.S. by May 1, hoping that by July 4, the country would return to some normalcy.
But once you get the chance to get your shot, you may have questions about what to expect after being vaccinated, especially when it comes to side effects.
You may feel completely well and experience no side effects after the vaccination, but the CDC says that it is also possible to experience minor flu-like symptoms, including pain and swelling at the injection site, fever, chills, fatigue or headache. Richard Watkins, MD, an infectious disease and professor of internal medicine at Northeast Ohio Medical University, told Prevention.com earlier. This is completely normal, as it ‘basically shows that the immune system is being prepared’. .
Of course, if you feel bored for a few days, you want to start feeling better ASAP. But the CDC says you should avoid using a painless medication, such as paracetamol (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) before getting the vaccine, and talk to your doctor if you want to take it. time of your vaccination. Here’s what you need to know.
First, a quick review of how paracetamol and ibuprofen work in the body.
Paracetamol is a pain reliever that is not aspirin. It is commonly used for fever and headaches, along with other common ailments, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Its exact mechanism is not entirely clear, says Jamie Alan, Pharm.D, Ph.D., associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University, but ‘the idea is that it acts in the brain to control pain. ‘
Ibuprofen is in a class of medicines known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). “Ibuprofen works by inhibiting enzymes in your body – COX-1 and COX-2 – to reduce inflammation,” says Alan. NSAIDs can also help reduce fever and pain.
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The CDC recommends avoiding ibuprofen or acetaminophen previously you get the COVID-19 vaccine.
It makes perfect sense to want to inject a pill or fever-reducing pill in anticipation of uncomfortable symptoms, but at this stage it is unclear how this medicine will affect the ability of the vaccine to create the important antibodies against COVID.
“There are some small studies in children dealing with regular vaccines – not COVID vaccines – that may suggest that taking ibuprofen or paracetamol before you get the vaccine may reduce your antibody response a bit,” says William Schaffner, managing director. infectious disease specialist and professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. “But no one really knows if it has clinical significance and it has never been studied on a clinical scale.”
So, until more research is done and the implications are understood, it is best to be careful and just avoid using this medicine before being vaccinated, as there is a risk that it may make the vaccine less effective, says David Cennimo. , Managing Director, Assistant Professor of Infectious Medicine and Pediatric Diseases at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.
If you are concerned about the use of any medication after do you get the COVID-19 vaccine?
Data do not definitively state that the use of acetaminophen or ibuprofen after to be vaccinated will interfere with the effectiveness of the vaccine, so do not stress too much about it, says Thomas Russo, MD, professor and head of infectious diseases at the University of Buffalo in New York. In general, if you are having bothersome pain or discomfort, it is reasonable, according to the CDC, to use an OTC medication, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol.
It is also quite possible that the CDC recommends going to your doctor beforehand, as taking too much of any medication can be toxic, says Dr Russo.
What else should you do if you have side effects after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine?
If you feel unwell after being vaccinated, but you do not know what to do when it comes to OTC medication, you should call your doctor, especially if you are pregnant or have an underlying health condition. “It’s a risk / benefit decision that is unique to each patient,” says Alan. “If someone has a fever of 104, it may be worth taking a dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen,” she says.
If you are uncomfortable but feel you can take things out, dr. Schaffner recommends drinking plenty of fluids, getting rest and if you have a fever, you should turn on your light. If you are sore at the injection site, apply a cool, clean, wet washcloth to reduce swelling and try to move your arm gently to practice it gently, according to the CDC.
It is also not a bad idea to just take it easy the day after you are vaccinated. “Don’t get the chance and plan to go mountain climbing the next day,” says Dr. Watkins. After all, these vaccines teach your body how to fight a foreign virus, and it requires a lot of energy.
This article is accurate from press time. As the COVID-19 pandemic develops rapidly and the scientific community’s understanding of the new coronavirus develops, some information may have changed since it was last updated. As we strive to keep all our stories up to date, please visit the online resources provided by the CDC, WHO, and yours local department of public health to stay up to date with the latest news. Always talk to your doctor for professional medical advice.
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