There are rumors that taking aspirin before or after getting the AstraZeneca vaccine can prevent side effects or blood clotting complications. However, is this true? Should you take aspirin before getting the AstraZeneca vaccine?
Aspirin is a type of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). This drug can be used to reduce pain and reduce fever. However, unlike other types of NSAIDs, aspirin is also useful to help thin the blood and prevent blood clots from forming.
Thanks to this effect, many people think that aspirin is either taken before or after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine to prevent serious complications related to the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, namely blood clotting.
Facts Behind Aspirin Benefits to Prevent AstraZeneca Vaccine Side Effects
Some people who will get the AstraZeneca vaccine are haunted by the news about the risk of dangerous side effects from this vaccine, namely the occurrence of blood clots or thick blood.
This risk does exist, but you don't have to worry too much. The reason is that side effects in the form of blood clots after AstraZeneca vaccination are very rare, which is estimated to be only about 1 in 100,000 given the vaccine.
Compared to the risks, the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine in preventing COVID-19 are considered to be much higher. Therefore, various health institutions around the world, including WHO, CDC, and BPOM in Indonesia state that the vaccines produced by AstraZeneca are safe and effective to prevent COVID-19.
Taking aspirin before or after the AstraZeneca vaccine to prevent side effects of blood clots that may appear after vaccination is also actually not necessary, unless you are already regularly taking this drug on the advice of a doctor.
It is also important to note that there is currently no evidence to show that taking aspirin has been shown to be effective in reducing the risk of developing harmful side effects or blood clots from the side effects of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
However, aspirin is already widely used to treat cardiovascular diseases, such as heart disease and blood clots or blockages in blood vessels (atherosclerosis). It's just that the use of aspirin in this disease is not related to the Astrazeneca vaccine.
In addition to the lack of evidence, it is also feared that the indiscriminate consumption of aspirin can cause side effects in the form of heartburn or stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, recurrence of ulcer symptoms, and headaches.
In addition, because it has a blood-thinning effect, aspirin can also make it difficult to stop bleeding in wounds.
How to Reduce and Overcome AstraZeneca Vaccine Side Effects
The emergence of side effects after getting the AstraZeneca vaccine is actually not something to worry about excessively. The reason is, this is a sign that the body is forming immunity or immunity to the COVID-19 disease.
However, there are a number of ways you can do to reduce or overcome the side effects of the AstraZeneca Vaccine, namely:
- Adequate rest for 7 to 9 hours, both before and after vaccination.
- Eat nutritious food and drink enough water.
- Apply a warm or cold compress to the injection area.
- Use a pain reliever, such as paracetamol, if you have a fever and severe pain. However, to be safer, you should consult the use of this drug with your doctor.
In conclusion, the effectiveness and safety of aspirin to prevent side effects of the AstraZeneca vaccine is still unclear and needs further investigation. Therefore, don't take it carelessly without the approval of a doctor, OK?
If you experience side effects after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine, such as pain and fever that does not go away, shortness of breath, chest pain, severe headache, or blurred vision, you can consult a doctor.
If it is difficult to visit the hospital, you can consult via telemedicine services or the ALODOKTER application.
