Fatigue After COVID Vaccine: Is It Normal? CT-CFIDS-FM

Fatigue is a general feeling of tiredness or exhaustion that can be caused by physical, mental, or emotional stress. It can also occur as an indicator of certain health conditions, such as anemia, Lyme disease, and depression. Fatigue can interfere with daily activities and make it difficult to stay motivated and alert. Now, this issue is correlated with the COVID solution invented just a few years ago. Is fatigue after COVID vaccine normal, or should you be worried?

Overview of Covid-19 Vaccine

Covid-19 has been wreaking havoc since it first appeared in Wuhan, China, in 2019. The virus has spread to almost every continent and country, infecting more than 110 million people and causing over 2.5 million deaths as of February 2021. With the global effort to find a vaccine against this novel coronavirus, research teams were able to develop multiple vaccines within less than a year; an impressive feat given that it typically takes years or even decades to invent and approve vaccines!

The goal of any Covid-19 vaccine is to help protect individuals from becoming infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19 illness. In order for this goal to be achieved, most vaccine types induce immunity by provoking an immune response against the virus; specifically inducing antibodies to neutralize the virus before it can enter human cells. Different types of Covid-19 vaccines use different technology strategies with similar goals: mRNA (Moderna/Pfizer), Viral Vector (AstraZeneca/Oxford/Johnson & Johnson/Sputnik V/Sinopharm) or Protein Subunit (Novavax).

Side effects of the Vaccine

COVID-19 vaccines can cause mild side effects after the first or second dose, including:

Pain, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
Fever
Fatigue
Headache
Muscle pain
Chills
Joint pain
Nausea and vomiting
Swollen lymph nodes
Feeling unwell

Most side effects go away in a few days.

Complications of COVID vaccines

In the U.S., there has been an increase in reported cases of myocarditis and pericarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination, particularly in males ages 12 through 29. Myocarditis is the inflammation of the heart muscle, while pericarditis is the inflammation of the lining outside the heart. These reports are rare.

Of the cases reported, the problem happened more often after the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and typically within one week after the COVID-19 vaccination. Most of the people who received care felt better after receiving medicine and resting. Symptoms to watch for include:

Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering, or pounding heart

If you or your child develops myocarditis or pericarditis after a dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, the CDC recommends avoiding getting another dose of any COVID-19 vaccine.

Fatigue and COVID-19 vaccine

Fatigue is a common symptom experienced after receiving the Covid-19 vaccine. It can range from mild to severe and usually resolves within a few days without any lasting effects. Symptoms may include feeling tired, having trouble concentrating, memory problems, headaches, body aches, joint pain, and feeling run down or generally unwell.

With the development of Covid-19 vaccines, a significant number of people have been able to get vaccinated against this harmful and potentially deadly virus. While this is certainly cause for celebration, some people have reported feeling a sudden onset of fatigue after their vaccine. This fatigue does not appear to be an uncommon reaction and can vary in severity and duration from person to person.

When it comes to fatigue associated with receiving a COVID vaccine, there are varying opinions amongst experts. Still, generally speaking, it is believed that any fatigue experienced after being vaccinated is likely caused by the body’s reaction to the vaccine’s ingredients – not necessarily as a result of contracting COVID itself. The body’s response is seen as a sign that it is working hard to build up immunity to SARS CoV 2 virus.

‘Why do I feel tired after receiving my vaccine?’

One possible explanation for post-vaccine fatigue is that it is related to the body’s natural response to the vaccine. As the body responds to the active ingredients in the vaccination, it begins producing antibodies, which can lead to a feeling of tiredness or exhaustion. This phenomenon can be made worse if the person also experiences pain or discomfort at the injection site itself. In addition to physical tiredness, some people may also experience mental fatigue due to the anxiety caused by receiving a vaccination, as well as difficulty concentrating due to stress or worry afterwards.

The majority of people who receive a COVID vaccine do report feeling tired following their vaccination; however, these reactions usually only last a couple of days up until a week after vaccination. Additionally, many other variables play into how someone might feel post-vaccination, including age, underlying health conditions, and individual genetics, just to name a few, so tailored advice should be offered whenever possible.

Fatigue post-vaccination isn’t an uncommon side effect; however, if you start experiencing symptoms such as fever accompanied by more severe muscle aches lasting longer than two weeks, then please contact your healthcare provider straight away for medical attention as soon as possible –as these could potentially be signs of allergies or adverse effects from the vaccine.

It’s important for those who experience post-vaccine fatigue to understand that it is usually temporary and should resolve without any lasting effects within a few days’ time. Suppose your symptoms persist longer than what would be expected with normal fatigue levels. In that case, you should speak with your doctor about other possible causes as well as potential treatments or remedies which might help reduce your symptoms, so they do not become debilitating and make everyday activities more difficult. While rare, in some cases, more severe reactions such as extreme tiredness may be seen following the vaccination, which could require medical attention.