The date for your corona vaccination is imminent, and you are hatching a cold? We will clarify whether you can keep the vaccination despite having a cold or whether it would be better to postpone your appointment.
How should you behave if you have a cold on the day of the corona vaccination? Can you still get vaccinated, or should you wait until the cold has subsided and you are healthy again? And what influence does the common cold have on vaccination? We clarify!
Get vaccinated if you have a cold? That's what the WHO says
The official information sheets of the WHO on Covid-19 vaccination with mRNA vaccines and vector vaccines provide information and explain exactly whether vaccination is possible during a cold:
In the best case, you should of course already be fit and not have any illness when you get the corona vaccination. Because the vaccination means an additional burden on the immune system, which is burdened by the common cold.
Signs of a cold are:
- sniff
- to cough
- exhaustion
- sore throat
- hoarseness
- headache
- body aches
- high temperature
- shivering
If you are unsure, speak to your doctor beforehand as to whether or not it is advisable to postpone it. Please remember: If you decide not to keep the vaccination appointment, cancel it in good time.
Hay fever instead of a cold?
Since the corona vaccinations take place in summer, hay fever is noticeable in many people through watery and itchy eyes, a runny nose, or itchy throat. This can quickly be mistaken for a cold. It is true that only a doctor can make a reliable diagnosis. But if your symptoms worsen outdoors or the symptoms improve indoors or in bad weather, it is very likely hay fever.
Do not take pain medication before vaccination
You should not take pain relievers, which will relieve your cold symptoms, before vaccination. But it is precisely this effect that also influences the corona vaccination. The World Health Organization (WHO) generally advises against taking painkillers such as ibuprofen, paracetamol, or aspirin before vaccination. These contain inhibitors that effectively alleviate the side effects of a vaccination and thus also the formation of antibodies.
How to treat a cold
In order to alleviate the cold symptoms as best as possible before the vaccination, home remedies help. Take a seawater nasal spray, do nasal showers regularly, drink a lot, for example ginger tea, which is known for its antibacterial properties, is recommended. A warm compress or gargling with sage tea helps against the sore throat. In addition, your body needs enough rest so that it can regenerate and the immune system can more easily fight the pathogens. For this reason, you should avoid physical exertion, such as exercise during your cold.
Postpone corona vaccination in case of fever
However, if you get vaccinated during a febrile infection (over 38.5 ° C), it means that your body is already fighting an infection, anad your immune system is already activated. This has an impact on the corona vaccination. Your body cannot concentrate fully on the vaccine and make antibodies against it. If you have the flu, postpone your vaccination appointment in good time and get vaccinated after you have recovered.
Signs of fever
Chills are usually the first harbinger of a fever. After that, the temperature often rises rapidly, which is manifested by sweating. An increased feeling of thirst, dry and hot skin, a dry and coated tongue or loss of appetite are usually accompanying symptoms of a fever.
Fever at the second vaccination appointment
If you fell ill at your second vaccination appointment and have a fever, this should be done as soon as possible when you are healthy again. The recommended vaccination intervals should be adhered to, but if this is not possible due to your illness, you do not have to restart the series of vaccinations and therefore do not need a new first vaccination.
