Does getting the vaccine hurt so much? How to distinguish side effects from infection? Doctors reveal their secret tips: pay attention to "one fatigue, two attacks and four pains"
The number of people vaccinated against COVID-19 in Taiwan is gradually increasing, and many people have completed vaccination. One of the things that worries people most about vaccination is the “side effects”. In addition to fever, headache and diarrhea symptoms after vaccination, most people reported “pain at the arm injection site”. How to reduce arm pain caused by vaccination?
Proper injection technique combined with acupoint pressure can relieve pain at the injection site
Dr. Huang Xuan, an expert in critical care medicine, said that a review and analysis of international journals showed that among 29 previous studies, a total of 10 intramuscular injection techniques can effectively reduce muscle pain caused by vaccination. Dr. Huang Xuan explained two of them. The first is “manual pressure on the injection site”. After the vaccine is administered, press the injection site with your fingers to achieve the effect of reducing muscle pain; the second is Heifer rhythm injection. In the Helfer Tapping method, while injecting the vaccine, the medical staff will tap the arm of the injector and inject the medicine into the body to reduce the pain of the injection.
Dr. Huang Xuan added that other intramuscular injection techniques or analgesic methods, such as Z track technique, Cold Needle Technique or ShotBlocker plastic analgesic tablets, do not have enough evidence to prove that these methods can be effective. Reduces injection pain. So are there any simple ways to reduce the pain after vaccination? In fact, “acupoint pressure” has a certain effect.
Dr. Huang Xuan said that if you still feel pain after the vaccine injection after using the above steps, you can consider acupressure on the tiger’s mouth of the same arm. Research has found that it can effectively alleviate the continued pain of the vaccine injection. Summarizing relevant research, pressing the injection site, Heifer rhythm injection method and tiger’s mouth acupoint pressure are all feasible methods to reduce the pain of vaccination.
How to distinguish the symptoms and side effects of pneumonia? Remember the formula “One fatigue, two attacks and four pains”
In addition, being vaccinated does not mean that you will not be infected with COVID-19 again. There is still the possibility of being re-diagnosed. Therefore, some people are worried about mistaking the confirmed symptoms of COVID-19 for the side effects of vaccination. Dr. Huang Xuan suggested that you can use the formula to identify whether there are side effects of vaccination: “First fatigue, second onset and fourth pain”, first fatigue is “fatigue”; second onset is “fever, chill”; fourth pain is “pain at the injection site” , headache, joint pain, muscle pain." These are all side effects that will occur after vaccination. If symptoms other than these occur, you should pay more attention.
In addition to “fatigue, two attacks, and four pains,” the symptoms of COVID-19 can also include nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, cough, runny nose, and sore throat. On the other hand, it is also necessary to consider whether you have risk factors such as stroke and myocardial infarction. If people who have received the vaccine find that in addition to “feeling tired, experiencing severe pain,” and have symptoms related to COVID-19, including loss of taste and smell, gastrointestinal discomfort, etc., they should be vigilant and contact the health unit as soon as possible.
No matter what kind of vaccine is administered, there is a high probability of side effects after vaccination, but the degree may vary from person to person. Special reminder: when side effects occur after vaccination, it means that the vaccine is training immune cells. In most cases, there is no need to worry too much. Remember to drink plenty of fluids, get plenty of rest, and avoid inflammatory foods such as red meat, processed foods, or refined starches. If you experience extreme discomfort 48 hours after receiving the vaccine, do not take it lightly. Please seek assistance through “Disease Manager” or call the 1922 epidemic prevention hotline as soon as possible. Describe your situation in detail and seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
Source:
“How to Reduce Muscle Pain from Vaccination?” - Dr. Huang Xuan
