5 Home Remedies That Helped Me Through the Covid-19 Vaccine Symptoms

About a month ago, my wife got her first dose of the Moderna vaccine. A week later, my insurance company informed me that I am also eligible to receive the Covid-19 Vaccine. I quickly hopped on the computer and booked the first available appointment. It turned out to be for the Pfizer vaccine. It didn't make a difference to me as I was happy to be qualified and on the appointment books.

I should say, I know a lot of people who received the vaccine, and each of them showed different symptoms at both the first and second doses. I did not show any symptoms for the first dose. I was a little sluggish, and my head felt a little heavy, but I was able to work a twelve-hour shift the day after receiving the first dose.

As it turned out since the second dose of the Moderna vaccine is supposed to be administrated four weeks after the first one and the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine on the third week, our second doses fell on the same date. While the first dose was a breeze, the second dose was a completely different story. It started the same as the first dose. I was at first a little sluggish, and my head felt a little heavy, but soon I realized, I was about to go down. I had a 100°F fever, chills, body aches, and feelings of confusion.

Luckily, we prepared ourselves. Unlike me, my wife showed severe symptoms to her first dose, and we learned a lot from the 48 hours of hell that she went through. So, the day before getting our second dose, we did a little shopping. Here are five things that helped us through our symptoms.

Rest

Resting is very important. If you go to work or work from home, make sure to plan ahead and take some time off. If you can, try scheduling your vaccine appointment on a Thursday morning and take Friday off. The symptoms usually take around twelve hours to kick in, so if you have your vaccine in the morning, your symptoms will start to show by bedtime. A good night's sleep will go a long way in helping your body fight the imaginary virus and build antibodies. The nursing staff suggests placing a cool, damp towel or cloth on your forehead to cool yourself if you have a fever.

Water

Hydration, in general, is essential. However, it is incredibly crucial to stay hydrated during the first 24-48 hours of receiving the vaccine, as dehydration can exacerbate any side effects that you may encounter. Scientists suggest that when there is too little water in your body, heat storage increases, and you are less able to tolerate heat strain. Moreover, dehydration can affect brain structure and function since water is involved in producing hormones and neurotransmitters. Experts also suggest that continued dehydration can lead to problems with thinking and reasoning.

Sweet Lemon

Taking vitamin C is a great way to boost your immune system, and a glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice is typically the best way to get that vitamin C. I strongly suggest adding a little sweet lemon to that as well. Sweet lemons are an excellent source of vitamin C and are beneficial for treating the common cold, sore throats, and dehydration. When I was a kid, my mom would make us sweet lemon juice when we had a cold. While sweet lemons work wonders when it comes to reducing your fever, growing up, we didn't like drinking it because sweet lemon starts to turn bitter soon after cutting into it. I recommend either drinking it straight away or mix it with some orange and grapefruit juice for the perfect immunity cocktail.

Chicken Noodle Soup

While chicken noodle soup is unbelievably comforting, it can work wonders when it comes to getting over cold or flu-like symptoms. Like I mentioned before, when you have a cold, it's also essential to stay hydrated. The broth is warm, soothing, and a great source of hydration. The vegetables used in the soup, such as carrot, celery, and onion, have vitamins C and K and other antioxidants and minerals. In addition to boosting your healthy immune system, they also help your body recover faster. The carbohydrates from the noodles help you feel full and satisfied. Also, the carbs from the noodles are a great source of energy for your body. While you might feel nauseous and find yourself not having the appetite to eat regular food, pushing yourself to eat one bowl of chicken noodle soup can help you feel less sluggish.

Turnips

Turnips have traditionally been used for treating various illnesses. They can help manage sugar and fat levels in your body. They also can promote heart health and reduce the risk of cancer. Turnips are nutrients dense vegetables that are considered to be a superfood. They are a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, and vitamin B6, all of which can help build a robust immune system and ease your body's antibody-building process. You can eat them raw or cook them, though the best way to retain all its nutrients is by steaming them.

Try to stay away from over-the-counter pain medications such as Advil and Tylenol. While they may provide some relief, they can interfere with the antibody-building process. Your body is fighting the imaginary virus. This process helps build antibodies. Advil and Tylenol will fight instead of your body, so your body may not produce the defense system it needs to fight the actual Covid-19 virus. Take comfort in the fact that the symptoms you are experiencing are artificially created and cannot harm you. Also, experiencing these symptoms mean that your body is working its magic. Just rest, stay hydrated, and take care of yourself.

The information shared in the blog is not medical advice from a medical professional. It is are based on my own experiences. If you show severe symptoms for more than 48 hours after you receive your vaccination, contact your physician.