ABSTRACT
Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine side effects have an important role in the hesitancy of the general population toward vaccine administration. Therefore, this study was conducted to document the COVID-19 vaccine side effects in our population. Materials and Methods: An online survey-based, cross-sectional study was carried out from September 1, 2021, to October 1, 2021, to document the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine among the general public. The questionnaire included participants' sociodemographic data, type of vaccine, comorbidities, previous COVID-19 infection, and assessment of side effects reported by them. Results: The majority of the participants were <20 years of age (62.2%), females (74.9%), belonged to the educational sector (58.1%), residents of Sindh (65.7%), and were previously unaffected by COVID-19 infection (73.3%). Sinovac (38.7%) followed by Sinopharm (30.4%) and Moderna (18.4%) were administered more frequently. Commonly reported side effects were injection site pain (82%), myalgia (55%), headache (46%), fatigue/malaise (45%), and fever (41%). Vaccine side effects were more likely to be reported with the first dose as compared to the second dose. On regression analysis, factors associated with occurrence of side effects included younger age (odds ratio [OR]: 6.000 [2.065-17.431], p < 0.001), female gender (OR: 2.373 [1.146-4.914], p = 0.020), marital status (OR: 0.217 [0.085-0.556], p < 0.001), graduate level of education (OR: 0.353 [0.153-0.816], p = 0.015), and occupation being either retired, freelancers, or social workers (OR: 0.310 [0.106-0.909]), p = 0.033). Previous infection with COVID-19 (p = 0.458) and comorbidities were found unrelated (p = 0.707) to the occurrence of side effects. Conclusion: The overall prevalence of local side effects was quite higher than the systemic ones. Further large-scale studies on vaccine safety are required to strengthen public confidence in the vaccination drive.
ABSTRACT
Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccine side effects have an important role in the hesitancy of the general population toward vaccine administration. Therefore, this study was conducted to document the COVID‐19 vaccine side effects in our population. Materials and Methods An online survey‐based, cross‐sectional study was carried out from September 1, 2021, to October 1, 2021, to document the side effects of the COVID‐19 vaccine among the general public. The questionnaire included participants' sociodemographic data, type of vaccine, comorbidities, previous COVID‐19 infection, and assessment of side effects reported by them. Results The majority of the participants were <20 years of age (62.2%), females (74.9%), belonged to the educational sector (58.1%), residents of Sindh (65.7%), and were previously unaffected by COVID‐19 infection (73.3%). Sinovac (38.7%) followed by Sinopharm (30.4%) and Moderna (18.4%) were administered more frequently. Commonly reported side effects were injection site pain (82%), myalgia (55%), headache (46%), fatigue/malaise (45%), and fever (41%). Vaccine side effects were more likely to be reported with the first dose as compared to the second dose. On regression analysis, factors associated with occurrence of side effects included younger age (odds ratio [OR]: 6.000 [2.065–17.431], p < 0.001), female gender (OR: 2.373 [1.146–4.914], p = 0.020), marital status (OR: 0.217 [0.085–0.556], p < 0.001), graduate level of education (OR: 0.353 [0.153–0.816], p = 0.015), and occupation being either retired, freelancers, or social workers (OR: 0.310 [0.106–0.909]), p = 0.033). Previous infection with COVID‐19 (p = 0.458) and comorbidities were found unrelated (p = 0.707) to the occurrence of side effects. Conclusion The overall prevalence of local side effects was quite higher than the systemic ones. Further large‐scale studies on vaccine safety are required to strengthen public confidence in the vaccination drive.
ABSTRACT
Encephalitis, a well-known complication of measles, is inflammation of the brain parenchyma which is mostly due to the viral invasion of neurons. It presents with a variety of symptoms ranging from mild to severe depending on the extent of the damaged neurons. The diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms such as fever, headache, altered level of consciousness, focal neurological deficits, etc. A detailed history and physical examination facilitate the diagnosis. Investigations include blood tests for measles-specific antibodies, CT, MRI, and analysis of the CSF. The management of measles-induced encephalitis mainly revolves around prevention against contracting the disease and providing supportive care if acquired. The administration of the measles vaccine is the major means of preventing this disease in childhood. Two doses are required to achieve sufficient immunity against measles, the first at the age of 12-15 months and the second at 4-6 years of age. Supportive care includes administering acetaminophen for fever, oral rehydrating salt (ORS) for diarrhea and vomiting, antibiotics for otitis media and pneumonia, and using anti-epileptics such as sodium valproate for seizures. Vitamin A can be given to prevent severe effects in children. The specific treatment would depend on the type of encephalitis the patient has developed.
ABSTRACT
The Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), which first appeared in Wuhan, China, and was later declared a pandemic, has caused significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Numerous efforts have been made worldwide to understand the disease's physical manifestation. However, less emphasis has been placed on the pandemic's mental health challenges for healthcare workers (HCWs) who played a critical role in fighting the disease. Existing literature shows the detrimental psychological impact and increased incidence of depression and anxiety among HCWs. It is expected that the mental health crisis will become a serious issue affecting HCWs, with long-term negative consequences following COVID. Physicians and nurses already represent the highest risk groups of suicide among the general population, and suicide can be regarded as an occupational hazard in the healthcare industry. Increased workload, burnout and fatigue, multifaceted challenges women HCWs, and increased substance abuse are contributing factors to suicide ideation. In this article, we identify the risk factors of suicide among HCWs, discuss mental health challenges exacerbated by the pandemic and its impact on suicide ideation.