A lot of people are now getting boosters and so we have more information on reactions. I wanted to highlight another risk which is muscle inflammation – myositis- in particular cardia muscle inflammation (myositis, rhabdomyolysis and fasciitis) which has led to sporadic problems and occasional heart failure. Also, what we can do to prevent this.
Side-effect reporting has shown that these side effects can occur in the early days after vaccination, again probably due to spike antibodies. Many people I know feel absolutely fine after the vaccine so they choose to go and continue with the hard-core exercise regimes. To be honest, what are they thinking doing this as it increases the risk further
The Astrazeneca vaccine had got a reputation for having a side-effects that causes clots, however research has shown that in fact all of the vaccines have similar side-effects and the thinking is that the spike antibodies are slightly ‘corrosive’, irritating our blood vessel walls.
To understand this, we can imagine that the spike antibodies ‘rough up’ the interior of the blood vessel walls causing inflammation and making it look – if we could see it – rather like badly laid concrete, rather than a nice smooth finish.
We already know with heart disease for instance, that it’s not so much having high cholesterol that causes heart disease but the fact that the coronary arteries are inflamed. Therefore clots catch onto patches of inflammation more easily, in this case, blocking the artery and causing a heart attack. However the same clot mechanism may also cause a stroke, DVT in the leg or pulmonary embolus in the lungs.
ADVICE:
The clot risk after vaccination has been shown to be most prominent in the week after. I therefore advise everyone to take, unless there is a medical indication not to, (these are few and far between) a baby aspirin every day, the day before the vaccine and continuing for at least three months, 80-100 aspirin, enteric-coated so it does not hurt your stomach. Nurses will give you this in the pharmacy, on request.
The body needs rest after a vaccination, so to help prevent risk of the muscle inflammation diseases mentioned first, please do not exercise other than light walking the first 3 days, and nothing strenuous the first week after vaccine. Inflammation is worsened by dehydration (Christmas frolickers!) so ensure adequate hydration.
Taking these measures is your best protection against side effects, and therefore enjoying the fabulous, fun filled holiday you deserve.