Blog 4 of the 4 Part Series: Why I Want a COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine (and why you should too).
This is the fourth of four blog posts where I share what I have learned as a Tallahassee pediatrician doing my own research, and why I am excited to receive a COVID-19 vaccine:
- Sunday, December the 6th – How vaccines use our immune system to protect us against viruses, bacteria, and even cancer.
- Last Wednesday – How mRNA and DNA vaccines are different than traditional vaccines.
- Last Saturday – mRNA and DNA vaccine safety in animals and humans.
- Today – Post Covid-19 Syndrome
For Young and Middle Age Adults, Post COVID-19 Syndrome May Cause More Suffering Than Acute Symptoms
Even though I turned 40 in 2020 (yes, I know I look 25…except for the hair), I am not as nervous about the immediate effects of COVID-19 (fever, trouble breathing, etc.), as I am about the chronic effects of COVID-19.
Very few people my age actually die from COVID-19, even though many will have flu-like symptoms for over a week or be hospitalized. But now, doctors and scientists are learning that some people will develop chronic COVID-19 symptoms for months, the most common symptom being fatigue, like having Mono, but worse. Others will suffer from shortness of breath, headaches, depression, brain fog, high blood pressure, cholesterol issue, or body aches. Some people alternate feeling fine for a week and then terrible for a week. This diverse group of chronic symptoms has been given the name, “Post COVID-19 Syndrome.”
It would suck to be sick for a few weeks, but it would be even worse to be tired and have body aches for months or years.
Post COVID-19 Syndrome May Be Caused by Damage to Small Blood Vessels
Doctors and scientists are not sure how COVID-19 causes these persistent symptoms, but they think it is from damage to small blood vessels throughout the body–in the heart, lungs, liver, and even the brain. COVID-19’s damage to small blood vessels can cause stroke and heart attacks in relatively young patients (even in patients younger than myself). As you can imagine, blood vessels are found throughout the body, so this may be why the symptoms are so diverse, ranging from depression to trouble breathing.
New Vaccine vs COVID-19 Infection
To me the answer is clear: I would rather take a new(ish) vaccine than get a COVID-19 infection (or a second COVID-19 infection). These new vaccines have already been given to thousands of people without serious side-effects, while we know that COVID-19 can cause death, make you very sick for weeks, and can have long-term side-effects for months and maybe years.
If you are skeptical about the Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines, please read my previous posts. The more I learned about them, the more I wanted one!
