Thread by @dr_lovelee

I’m not taking questions from people who haven’t vaccinated via DM anymore.

If you have vaccinated & have symptoms you’re welcome to DM.

Here’s the top 10 frequently asked questions I’ve picked up from >250 DMs yesterday..

Please refer to this thread for answers:

https://twitter.com/dr_lovelee/status/1416635986117898244

Q1: What side effects can be expected?

A:
1. Some people get side effects, some don’t.

2. Not getting side effects doesn’t mean the vaccine isn’t working.

3. Those who get post-vaccine symptoms, it’s unpredictable which ones & to what extent (how mild/ severe).

4. Side effect severity is not dependent on age/ health status

The 📷 shows common ones, however there can be more:

-Diarrhoea
-Abdominal pains
-Heart palpitations
-Gland swelling

Symptoms appear within 24hrs & resolve fairly quickly in:
Most = 3days
Some = 1week
Rarely = 2wks

Q2: Do underlying medical conditions increase risk of severe side effects?

A: Not necessarily. Vaccine roll out began with older people, many with co-morbidities & many did well.

Q3: Can I take the vaccine if I have HIV?

A: Yes. People living with HIV can take the vaccine. It doesn’t affect the meds or cause extra / severe side-effects..

As long the person’s immune system is intact (not currently sick with other ailments) then they can vaccinate.

Q4a: Is the vaccine safe for pregnant women?

A: Yes. At any stage of the pregnancy. If in doubt, or have other conditions while pregnant please check with your dr/ midwife.

Q4b: Is it safe to vaccinate while pregnant and HIV+

A: Yes.. same as above.

Q5a: Is it safe to get the vaccine while breastfeeding?

A: Yes. In fact it’s beneficial/ protective for baby as they’ll get some antibodies from their vaccinated mom’s breastmilk.

Q5b: Can I vaccinate if HIV+ & breastfeeding?

A: Yes. Follow the same guidelines for breastfeeding while living with HIV.
- be on medication
- viral load suppressed
- exclusive breastfeeding, no mix feeding with food or solids

Q6: Does the vaccine cause infertility in men/ women who haven’t had children?

A: No.

The vaccine doesn’t know when it enters the body that the person hasn’t had kids. People could already be having fertility issues and not aware of that when they take the vaccine.

Q7: Do the vaccines contain human DNA/ human fetus products that will change my DNA?

A: Bathong.. No.

hackensackmeridianhealth.org/HealthU/2021/0…

Q8: Which vaccine is better/ has less severe side effects?

- All vaccines available have the same goal >> to trigger the immune system to develop antibodies & have fighting chance against Covid infection.

- All vaccines have potential to cause side effects to varying degrees.

Currently being rolled out for general public is Pfizer. Some sites also offer J&J.

Two more vaccines have been approved but not yet available.

So soon we will have four vaccines. All are good enough to take.

Q9: How long should I wait to vax if I’ve had Covid recently?

A: The simple answer is 4weeks/ 30days.

From when do you count?

These are the guidelines:

a) If you had a positive test without symptoms, then from the time it’s expected from infection to have cleared = 10 days

b) if you had symptoms then wait until all have cleared + 4weeks. Some ppl will be well in 10-14 days while some may take 3-4 weeks to get better.

So the waiting period will not be the same. Rather feel well& know the immune system is 💪🏽 to handle the vaccine then only get 💉..

*break*

Have work to do. Will add the last few questions and answers later

*Resume*

Back with more FAQs:

Q10: Alcohol & vaccines?

A10: “it depends”..

I generally advise to abstain
- at least on 1st day
- but 3days even better.. because most people who get side effects it will happen by then.

Why? Alcohol affects the body in many ways..

1. Excessive alcohol affects the immune system, stomach, brain, muscles etc.

So if there’s
-fatigue
-body pains
-headaches
-stomach cramps/ diarrhoea
the next day from it will make it hard to tell if it’s the vax effects/ alcohol - as these are same symptoms as for babalaz

2. Let’s not forget that excessive alcohol lowers the immune system…

This can lead to the body not mounting a good enough response to the vaccine and making enough antibodies that is needed to fight the virus upon infection..

Lastly..

3. We don’t have the same alcohol consumption habits. So what’s “reasonable” for me won’t be for you. A unit or two is probably okay.. but also depends who’s measuring? 🤷🏽‍♀️

Here’s a guideline 📷

If in doubt of what to do.. wait a day or two 😊

Q11: Do’s & Don’ts pre/ post vaccine

A11:
Do:
-look after the body for a strong immune system:
> eat well
> get enough sleep
> take your vitamins
> exercising regularly
> try best to reduce stress

-check with your Dr if you have co-morbidities & esp if on immune lowering meds.

Don’ts
-overexert yourself w exercise on day of &a few days after vax.

Delayed onset muscle aches can mimic /worsen post vax body pains & one may not know seriousness of the vax s/effects

-drink too much alcohol. Post alcohol consumption effects can feel like post vax s/effects

Don’t:
- take the vaccine if feeling flu-like symptoms. You could be in early stages of a Covid / other viral infections.

The vaccine may result in a more severe illness due to an already activated immune response to the current undiagnosed infection..

Don’t:
- get overly anxious, esp by fake news.. Being concerned about vaccines is understandable…

But panic states can mimic chest pains & shortness of breath.. which can also be side effects post vax..

Q12: Can I take the vaccine if I have allergies to medication? (Common one that came up is penicillin)

A12: Yes, there is no penicillin in vaccines. Unless you have an allergy to the ingredients of the vaccine then no need to worry..

Q13: What about chronic meds?

A13: People with co-morbidities have a higher risk of severe Covid infection. & most are on meds & have received vaccines.

Studies over the past 8-9 months have shown that it’s safe (& necessary) for people with co-morbidities to be vaccinated.