What are side effects of COVID vaccine in the elderly?

Question

Hi doctor,

My father, who is 65 years, took COVID vaccine's first shot on the twenty-second, and just after two days, he developed a dry cough and then started feeling tired and weak. Slowly, he developed diarrhea (stomachache and watery stools). He is also not eating anything as he lost taste sensation.

However, after seven days, his stomach is better, and he regained his taste sensation and is feeling better overall. He takes Levodropropizine cough syrup, Limcee (vitamin C supplement), and does steam therapy twice a day. Please tell me if these symptoms are due to COVID-19. Just before the vaccine, he was perfectly fine, and made a note that he is skinny and so feels weakness in general as well.

Please guide me.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your query. On seeing the symptoms, it can be a COVID-19 infection. It is better to get a COVID-19 test done, as symptoms like dry cough, tiredness, fatigue, diarrhea, and loss of taste are present.

I suggest he:

Takes vitamin C, vitamin B12, vitamin D3, and zinc-rich food.
Takes food rich in flavonoids, like green tea.
Takes food rich in protein, like eggs, milk, and cereal.
Avoids spicy food.
Stays hydrated.

Do not worry and do not panic. Continue Levodropropizine cough syrup, Limcee (vitamin C) supplement, and steam inhalation. In case of fever, take an antipyretic such as Paracetamol 500 mg every four to six hours every 24 hours.

In the case of COVID, days 5 to 10 are the time when complications tend to arise. Therefore, frequent SpO2 (oxygen saturation) monitoring using a pulse oximeter is a must during the period. Vaccination plays a significant role in preventing a severe form of COVID-19. It is really great that your father got vaccinated. Vaccination will not prevent you from getting the infection. But it reduces the chance of getting a severe form of COVID and developing complications.

Do not panic and follow the guidelines.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.