Well, despite much trepidation over the speed and therefore safety of the vaccines produced to save the world from this killer virus, vaccines are working and allowing communities to get on with their lives.
We have many people to thank as a world, those who contributed to the research and development, technology and manufacturing of the finished product, all the prototypes, those who bravely put their hand up for clinical trials, the leaders and purse holders who funded and supported all those involved and finally those that accepted in spite of the scaremongering, conspiracy theory's and fear of the unknown put their hand up to get vaccinated.
So far, there are 15 vaccines in use around the world.
They are very effective. We are learning they are more effective after getting the second dose, in particularly for the mutant strains from India where so many are suffering with the second wave. With only 3% of the country fully vaccinated, it seems cruel as India manufactures vaccines for most of the world.
(Want to help India? There are many reputable organisations - find one that you feel comfortable with such as Unicef.)
The more opportunity the virus has to replicate itself (as long as it lives in us, it makes babies that go on to infect others) the more it throws an error or mutates the genetic material. This is called a mutation. Thus the more people vaccinated the shorter life the viruses get and less opportunities to reproduce and potentially make a mutant that will not match the vaccines.
Cases and deaths from Coronavirus continue - many sites are reporting on this. For example: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-51235105
So - What do we know about the vaccines?
Benefits:
Further, in countries with high rates of vaccinations it is reducing the need to lock down and they are allowing more freedoms, including economies to get back to work.
Cons:
*as of 2nd Week August 2021 - risk of getting TTS linked to the Astra Zeneca Vaccine in Australia = 0.0014% There has been 6 deaths from 7,400,000 doses. (https://www.tga.gov.au/periodic/covid-19-vaccine-weekly-safety-report-12-08-2021)
Thrombosis (Blood clot) with thrombocytopenia (low Platelets) syndrome” is when the blood forms lots of little micro clots thought to be caused by the body's immune reaction making platelets stick together using them up causing the overall levels of platelets in the blood to drop.
So far the risk factors seem to be woman under the age of 60.
Watch this animated video to see how platelets (Thrombocytes) work to form a clot
(Video courtesy of Science Art, YouTube)
Platelets stop you bleeding to death when you cut yourself as they plug the hole in tissues and vessels to stop. As this is a very unusual condition, it is easily diagnosed with a simple blood test and imaging of the affected area.
See the Australian Government information about weighing up the benefits vs risk of harm for this vaccine. Numbers from the UK have been used showing rates of 2.7 per 100,000 almost exclusively from first dose - of those 18% died. In Australia the fatality rate is 3% of those that get TTS - so significantly lower I would assert is due to our currently unburdened by COVID patients health system.
Recognising the symptoms of TTS is best way to mitigate the risk as early intervention is very effective. Symptoms can be experienced between 4 - 30 days after vaccination:
Symptoms of Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS):
**People should seek medical attention immediately if they experience these symptoms.
*NEW rare side effects of the Pfizer Vaccine:
Myocarditis and Pericarditis
Myocardium= Heart
Pericardium = Lining of the heart
"itis" = Inflamation.
A very rare side effect has been reported following the Pfizer Vaccine which involves mild inflammation of heart or it's lining more often after the second vaccine and in younger men within 14 days after. So look for symptoms of chest pain (tightness, ache, pressure) the symptoms may change when you move.
Important to note:
At the end of the day, whether or not I get vaccinated not only affects me, my immediate family, neighborhood, community, town, state and country. We are seeing that impacts every other human being on the planet.
I am vaccinated because it works to prevent COVID spreading and it is the right thing to do for everyone. If you don't want to vaccinate, I hear you, I see you and you have your reasons - that's ok.
I pray what we are doing as a world is enough to conquer this virus and bring us together in our shared vulnerability as human beings. Imagine what we could do together next!
Want to check your COVID/Flu symptoms? Click here (Australian Government Symptom Checker link).
Want to work with Nurse Nav to save you time and fast track your care, help to navigate the health system, master your health condition, case manage your care or someone you love, or get expert coaching and nail your health goals this year?
Then click here for a free 20 minute chat about your needs and see if we are the right fit for you.
*updated 15 August 2021
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What is Iron?
Iron is a mineral that is an essential biological component of every living organism. That’s why we find sources of iron from food.
It is needed for many essential functions in the body:
(https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/iron)
Because your body is running low on Iron and can’t make enough Red Blood Cells (RBC) for your body, your body
70% of your iron is found in the blood or muscles.
This is called ANAEMIA (AN = lack of, Emia = blood)
https://www.hematology.org/education/patients/anemia
The most common cause of Anaemia is due to lack of Iron.
The Red Blood cells in your blood, transfers oxygen from your lungs, takes it to your muscles and organs.
Red blood cells are flexible small discs, are formed in bone marrow and live for about 120 days. They contain mainly haemoglobin, the protein that binds to oxygen.
When you don’t have healthy numbers of RCB’s, you get symptoms of having low oxygen both from your blood supply, and the supply you normally store in your muscles. This is made worse when you try to exercise; You may feel sick and out of breath.
Oxygen is needed to make energy! If you have a small supply your body will struggle to make energy.
General symptoms of having iron deficiency anaemia:
Not only that, because iron is so important the body is able to recycle it. The main way the body loses Iron is through bleeding.
Iron deficiency can contribute to your body not making energy properly, in lots of different cells throughout the body – causing lots of unusual symptoms, including neurological one.
How much Iron do I need to eat every day?
Depending on your sex and age -See Iron page 171 (Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand Including Recommended Dietary Intakes)
When you don’t have enough, your body will absorb a much iron from your diet as it can. It will stock pile about 1 – 3 grams of iron in your body and from there will only absorb just enough iron as needed from your food[i]. The body is so intelligent.
Below there are two lists of iron containing food:
Dark chocolate with 70% cocoa also contains 3.3mg iron in a small serve. (Yokoi, Konomi, & Otagi, 2009)
Meat based sources of iron are easier for your gut to absorb. If you eat the plant based at the same at the meat based this increases absorption of iron. ("National Health and Medical Research Council, Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, New Zealand Ministry of Health", 2014)
And you could take a tablet containing iron which is called an “Iron Supplement”.
Let’s go through what types there are:
The main types of iron supplements used in Australia are listed below in order of highest dose first:
Important notes when taking iron supplements:
Take supplement tablets as directed; usually on an empty stomach one hour prior to eating, with a drink containing vitamin C.
Some foods, tea, coke, and milk interfere with the body’s ability to absorb iron from the stomach so don’t eat these at the same time.
Side effects can occur, usually related to stomach issues. Such as getting constipated, black or dark poos, diarrhoea, feeling sick, cramps. If this occurs, usual advice is to reduce your dose, take one tablet 2-3 time per week instead of every day, then increasing to the correct prescription. Taking the tablets at night, having more fluids and fibre or using a laxative also helps. (Government of South Australia, 2017)
Test results meaning for IRON
[i] Abbaspour, N., Hurrell, R., & Kelishadi, R. (2014). Review on iron and its importance for human health. Journal of research in medical sciences : the official journal of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, 19(2), 164–174.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3999603/
https://nutritionaustralia.org/fact-sheets/iron/
https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/patient-guide/leaflets/files/11903Piron.pdf
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/ida.html
Ferritin Levels and Their Association With Regional Brain Volumes in Tourette's Syndrome https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2367153/
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