Side-Effects of COVID-19 Versus the Vaccines:
More than one year into the worldwide pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus, the U.S. has had nearly 30 million cases of COVID-19 and more than half a million deaths. Now, the federal government’s vaccination program is picking up speed with more than 133 million people vaccinated and a goal of vaccinating every American who wants a vaccine by July.As people contemplate whether to get a vaccination, we hear more about uncomfortable side-effects from vaccination. But how do the side-effects from the vaccine stack up against the side-effects from a COVID-19 infection?
COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effects
While the COVID-19 infection affects each person differently, some side-effects can be severe, requiring extended hospital stays, intubation, and death. Most people, about 80%, will only have mild to moderate symptoms that don’t require special treatment. These symptoms may include:
- Fever,
- Cough,
- Sore throat,
- Nasal congestion,
- Body aches,
- Shortness of breath, and
- Loss of taste or smell.
Severe COVID-19 symptoms can include:
- Constant trouble breathing,
- Persistent chest pain,
- Confusion,
- Blue lips or face, and
- Trouble staying awake.
These symptoms require immediate medical attention. While the risk of developing severe COVID-19 symptoms increases with age and those with chronic health conditions, healthy people can also become seriously ill.
- Long-Term COVID-19
Many people will recover from the virus with a few weeks. However, symptoms can persist for months. The COVID-19 virus can damage the lungs, heart, and brain, increasing the risk of long-term health effects. COVID-19 can also increase the risk of blood clots and blood vessel problems, causing potentially long-lasting problems in the heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver.Some people who recover from moderate to severe COVID-19 develop chronic fatigue syndrome, characterized by extreme fatigue that doesn’t get better with rest. Researchers are still learning more about the novel coronavirus’s serious long-term side effects, particularly concerning those who were asymptomatic or had only mild COVID-19 symptoms.
- Children with COVID-19
Some children who recover from COVID-19 have developed Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C). With MIS-C, some organs such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, blood vessels, digestive system, brain, skin, or eyes become severely inflamed. While MIS-C is rare and most children get better with medical care, the syndrome can be fatal.
Vaccine Side-Effects
The COVID-19 vaccines can have some uncomfortable side-effects, including pain or redness at the vaccination site, muscle soreness, fatigue, chills, fever, headache, and nausea. The CDC reports that side-effects from the second shot can be more severe than the first, but it’s also a sign that your body is building immunity to the COVID-19 virus. However, some people will have no side-effects. So far, the vaccines have been almost 100% effective at preventing death from COVID-19 and preventing serious side effects, including admission to the ICU.There have been some anaphylaxis cases, or an allergic reaction, after the vaccine, but this is rare. While the CDC tracks deaths that occur after receiving the vaccine with it’s Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), “to date, VAERS has not detected patterns in cause of death that would indicate a safety problem with COVID-19 vaccines.” As more people receive the vaccine, we will undoubtedly learn more about any possible long-term side effects. But right now, the side-effects from the vaccine appear to be minor compared to the possible side-effects from moderate to severe COVID-19.If you or someone you love has a potential personal injury case, contact the Madeksho Law Firm at 888-910-6376 or through our online form. Your initial consultation is always free, and you won’t pay a fee unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
