Can a person become infected with coronavirus after vaccination?
Most experts agree that the vaccine does not provide 100% protection against infection.
If a large dose of the pathogen enters the body of a vaccinated person, this can cause a so-called immune breakthrough. “A person who has been vaccinated may think that they can no longer be infectious and cannot become infected themselves. But this is not true. After vaccination, there is still a small risk of infection, although if it occurs, the disease will not be severe,” explained infectious disease specialist and vaccinologist Evgeniy Timakov. The company that developed the EpiVacCorona vaccine warned that a person with developed immunity in contact with a coronavirus patient may become ill within a month after vaccination, but in this case the virus will not cause complications or death. Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova stated that the immune response to the vaccine against coronavirus infection is formed within 42 days after the first injection. Therefore, all this time it is important to follow preventive measures in order not to become infected with COVID-19: refrain from visiting crowded places, observe the mask regime and hygiene rules, minimize contacts, maintain social distance, limit the intake of alcohol and medications that suppress the immune system.
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Today, Russians can be vaccinated with two domestic vaccines - Gam-Covid-Vac (Sputnik V). The third vaccine, CoviVac, developed by the Chumakov Center, is in the final stage of testing and will go into public circulation by the end of March.
- "EpiVacCorona": effectiveness is 100%; immune protection is expected to last for at least a year.
- "Gam-Covid-Vac": effectiveness is 91.4%, against severe disease - 100%; immune protection is expected to last for two years (nine months has already been proven).
- "CoviVac": effectiveness is 85%; The duration of immunity will be announced after the completion of clinical trials.
Is it possible to go for a walk?
Almost all parents are concerned about the question of whether it is possible to go for a walk after Mantoux. Some are sure that the test done does not affect the child’s well-being in any way; some believe that after Mantoux you should not walk with the child because in this case it is easier to catch an infection. Dr. Komarovsky believes the latter approach is incorrect. He insists that the lack of walks and fresh air can have a negative impact on the patient.
When deciding whether to go for a walk after the injection, it is important to monitor only the child’s condition.
If he is lethargic, capricious, and there is a slight increase in temperature, then it is better to refuse walks. But if there are no such symptoms, after Mantoux, a baby aged 1 year and older can walk outside.
It is important to follow several recommendations:
- You need to dress your child according to the weather;
- It is better to walk in a forested area away from large crowds of people to avoid accidental infection;
- It is recommended to ensure that the tuberculin injection site does not get wet or damaged during active games;
- within 1-3 days after the test, it is recommended to limit visits to playgrounds.
But if after the injection your child has a fever for several days or feels unwell, it is better to visit a doctor.
Is a person contagious after vaccination?
According to the chief freelance therapist of the Ministry of Health, corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Oksana Drapkina, during vaccination a person cannot infect others. However, according to Timakov, there is a small risk of infection, but it is not associated with the coronavirus vaccine. The doctor explains this by the fact that when vaccinated against COVID-19, people do not develop local immunity of the mucous membranes. This means that once SARS-CoV-2 gets on, for example, the nasal mucosa, it can multiply and can be transmitted to other people by sneezing. “Vaccination prevents the virus from entering the body so that the infection does not reach the organ that it can infect. Vaccination will most likely not increase the local immunity of the mucous membranes, so the coronavirus will be able to catch on and begin to multiply in the nasopharynx. Thus, the person will become a source of infection,” the expert explained.
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Allergist-immunologist Vladimir Bolibok shares a similar opinion. In his opinion, those who have been vaccinated may not get sick with COVID-19 themselves, but they can infect others with the coronavirus. “Vaccination protects against infection - that is, if the virus gets into the nose, the person will not get sick, but he will be a virus carrier,” he said.
Health Minister Mikhail Murashko explained the importance of wearing masks, including to those who have been vaccinated: “Vaccination reliably protects against severe illness and, in the vast majority of cases, against the disease, but a vaccinated person can nevertheless transmit the infection to those who are not protected ", said Murashko.
What not to eat if you have Mantoux for tuberculosis. Mantoux test: what is not allowed and what is possible?
Mantoux vaccination: what is not allowed for children and what is allowed?
The tuberculin test, otherwise called the Mantoux reaction, examines the body's reaction to the waste products of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
This diagnostic test provides early detection of pathological processes occurring in the body.
Its implementation is a mandatory condition when a child enters school or kindergarten.
The procedure is simple - the drug is administered subcutaneously by injection.
After three days, the presence and size of the so-called papule is checked - a collection of leukocytes that attack the tuberculin contained in the solution.
The Mantoux reaction is mistakenly called grafting, but this is absolutely not true.
The tuberculin test is a diagnostic test that does not have a long-term effect on the body.
The success of the test and the reliability of its results is directly dependent on how correctly it is carried out.
The body's immune response must proceed correctly and independently.
There are a number of rules and prohibitions when carrying out, which we will discuss in today’s article.
How to behave before and during the Mantoux procedure?
On the day of the procedure, a primary examination and interview of the patient or his parents is performed.
It is important to determine a reliable history for the presence of chronic diseases, recent respiratory infections, whether the child is currently sick, or whether he has any allergies.
The fact is that a common runny nose is a contraindication to the test, as it will distort its results.
During the examination, the doctor will definitely check the body temperature, which should be normal (36.6 degrees Celsius), in order to exclude deception on the part of the parents.
Yes, parents often try to save their own time so as not to run around for medical records and other papers, which is extremely harmful to their child.
At this stage, the main task of parents is to provide reliable and complete data about the child’s condition, his recent behavior, past and existing diseases.
The doctor is operating with an extremely sharp object, so it is important that the child does not make sudden movements during the procedure.
During the procedure itself, you should behave calmly.
If you are guiding a child, you should explain that he should not make sudden movements, that “the injection will not be strong,” and support him in every possible way. There is no need to rush to leave the clinic.
Let the child calm down. Slight dizziness, weakness, and sweating may occur.
Such symptoms occur with any injection and do not relate specifically to the procedure performed.
If the child’s reaction is inadequate, you can immediately return to the doctor’s office.
What should you not do after Mantoux?
All prohibitions imposed after the procedure are aimed at ensuring the reliability of the test results.
Let us briefly list the main ones and reveal their essence:
- It is forbidden to steam the injection site;
- rub with clothes, bandage, washcloth;
- bandage the papule, seal it with adhesive tape.
Mantu cannot be wetted - a famous misconception that spreads through the minds of parents.
It is believed that this can protect the wound from the penetration of pathogenic bacteria.
Here you don’t need to be a qualified physician to understand that if the injection solution does not flow out, then water from the outside will not get inside, under the skin.
But what you really shouldn’t do is steam the injection site. It is forbidden to take a hot shower and bath, or go to the bathhouse or sauna.
Steamed skin is vulnerable to mechanical damage, which is unacceptable in the case of a papule from the Mantoux reaction.
In addition, the skin will “tighten”, including at the injection site, which is unacceptable, since the size of the papule may increase significantly and the reaction will be considered a false positive, which will not be so obvious to the attending physician who will examine it, which will lead to your diagnosis for tuberculosis registration.
You should not rely on which, of course, they will appoint.
It may be negative, but you will still be registered, especially if the patient is a child.
Needless to say, such a small mistake will result in you spending a couple of months trying to prove that you are not sick.
Take these recommendations seriously! Accidental damage to a papule promises registration and long hardships in a tuberculosis clinic!
From the above, the second rule of conduct after the procedure follows.
- Under no circumstances should the papule be damaged!
Most often this happens at home, when you dry your hands with a towel or wear clothes with sleeves.
What not to do immediately after vaccination
You cannot hide from doctors the presence of any symptoms after vaccination. Allergic reactions, high fever, severe headaches or muscle pain, shortness of breath, cough, runny nose, sore throat, especially if these reactions last for more than three to five days, are a reason to see a doctor, warns vaccinologist Evgeny Timakov. This may no longer be a reaction to the vaccine, but signs of the disease.
After vaccination with Sputnik V, the Ministry of Health recommends not getting the injection site wet for three days, not visiting the sauna or bathhouse, not drinking alcohol and avoiding excessive physical activity. In turn, Rospotrebnadzor after vaccination recommended not to overcool, not overheat and avoid stress to the body, as well as avoid foods that can provoke an allergic reaction.
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How to help your immune system after vaccination
The chief freelance nutritionist of the Russian Ministry of Health, Viktor Tutelyan, recommends that everyone who has been vaccinated against coronavirus “pay attention to vitamins, primarily vitamin D,” and, if necessary, eliminate its deficiency. You also need to consume foods high in protein. “Why a vaccine is administered is to stimulate the production of specific antibodies, and antibodies are protein structures. For this, there is a great need for protein. What is this - meat, fish, eggs. We need to make sure that this is included in the diet,” Tutelyan explained.
Do I need to take allergy medication before the test?
Taking antihistamines is justified only if the Mantoux test is performed on a child with an increased risk of developing allergies. Children with allergies, as a rule, do not always respond well to a tuberculin test. Therefore, three days before the procedure, they are advised to use antiallergic drugs.
For this purpose, Claritin, Diazolin, Tavegil tablets are prescribed in the dosages recommended by the instructions according to the age of the baby. For children who do not suffer from allergies, the use of antihistamines is not indicated.
Antihistamine Claritin
We should not forget that some foods provoke an allergic reaction similar to a positive Mantoux test. These products include:
- chocolate;
- eggs;
- citrus fruit;
- fruits with large seeds;
- red berries.
All this should be excluded from the diet for a week before the injection and for the same period of time after it. Also, you should not include new, unfamiliar dishes in the vaccinated baby’s menu, so as not to cause a hyperreaction to these foods in the child.
Should those who have already had the disease be vaccinated?
Those who have recovered from COVID-19 and have IgG antibodies, which are responsible for stable immunity to infection, do not need vaccination, says Oksana Drapkina. “Patients who have had the disease and have immunoglobulin G antibodies are not currently vaccinated,” she said.
Before vaccination, it is advisable to get tested for antibodies. If the IgG level is above 10, then immunity has already formed and vaccination is not necessary.
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According to the head of the department of general virology of the Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immunobiological Preparations named after. M.P. Chumakov RAS, Professor Georgy Ignatiev, the presence of antibodies to coronavirus in the blood is a contraindication for participation in vaccine trials. In other words, if a person has recently had COVID-19, he cannot be vaccinated. “Since the current criteria for medical eligibility for participation in clinical trials is a previous infection, it turns out that people who have had COVID-19 do not need to be vaccinated. But how long does post-infectious immunity last? The level of antibodies is constantly falling over time, and the antibodies should be expected to go away. And then the person will need to be vaccinated,” Ignatiev explained.
Normal reaction and complications
Already two days after the subcutaneous injection of tuberculin, the child can observe the development of a normal reaction to the injection. This may be the appearance of a papule or redness at the injection site.
In absolutely healthy children, the reaction to the Mantoux test is always negative, that is, without any manifestations. This applies to children who have been vaccinated 5 years or more before the injection.
If a child has recently been vaccinated and his Mantoux reaction is absolutely negative, then they speak of poor memory by the immune system of the causative agent of tuberculosis.
A positive Mantoux test is indicated if the papule enlarges to 10 mm with redness of the skin around it. Among the complications of the Mantoux test are:
- hyperergic reaction to tuberculin, which is manifested by the development of a papule more than 15 mm in diameter with an area of necrosis in the middle of the formation (this reaction confirms the presence of a tuberculosis infection in the child’s body);
- an allergic reaction to tuberculin, when the baby has a false positive papule, which is mistakenly regarded as a sign of infection with tuberculosis;
- itching at the injection site, which occurs due to the allergenic properties of tuberculin;
- increase in general body temperature;
- development of cough due to weakened immunity.
Why children are not vaccinated against COVID-19
There is no need to vaccinate children against coronavirus en masse, said the head of Rospotrebnadzor, Anna Popova. “We don’t vaccinate children yet, there is no need for mass immunization of children, children tolerate [the disease] very easily, immunity is developed quickly even in the absence of symptoms,” she explained.
Infectious disease doctor Evgeniy Timakov shares a similar opinion: “Children do not get sick so seriously and severely, so getting vaccinated is not a priority for them now.”
Recently, clinical trials of the Sputnik V vaccine in the form of nasal drops for young children - up to 3-4 years old - began in Russia. As the director of the center, Alexander Gintsburg, said, “this is, of course, a very gentle and convenient form of vaccination for children.” In addition, it is “completely devoid of any side effects.” The tests are planned to be completed this year, Gunzburg said. Adults can also use the spray vaccine, but this procedure will not replace traditional vaccination.
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Is it possible to eat before the test?
The Mantoux test has nothing to do with a blood test, so you can eat before taking it. But at the same time, care must be taken to ensure that food products do not cause allergic manifestations and do not provoke an exacerbation of chronic somatic diseases.
Tuberculin tests are performed only on healthy children. Any deviation from the norm may be an indication for a delay in diagnosing tuberculosis using this method. The child's body is unpredictable in food reactions. Therefore, you should not give your child food that is new to him or her before testing. They can cause digestive upset, fever, skin rashes and other undesirable reactions. Before Mantoux you should eat only proven food that does not cause allergies.
When and who can get vaccinated?
Vaccination against coronavirus is allowed 30 days after any other vaccinations, according to the Moscow mayor’s website. However, it does not protect against the flu, so it is recommended to get both vaccinations. Coronavirus vaccination recommendations also state that the vaccine should not be given to those who have suffered acute coronary syndrome or stroke in the past year. Contraindications also include chronic systemic infections, tuberculosis, neoplasms, hepatitis B and C, syphilis, and HIV.
Those who do not have a high temperature (37 °C or more) will be able to get vaccinated. Before the procedure, the patient must be examined by a health care worker, who must be informed about existing chronic diseases, other vaccinations, and previous acute respiratory viral infections. Based on these data, the decision on vaccination will be made.
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“In addition, both women and men should not take part in the study if they plan to conceive a child in the next three months,” the mayor’s website states.
According to the chief freelance specialist in obstetrics and gynecology of the Russian Ministry of Health, Professor Leila Adamyan, it is better to start planning a pregnancy or undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) two to three months after vaccination against coronavirus. “Even a couple who does not want to have a child today, but has one in the project, must be vaccinated [against coronavirus], and in the near future - [in] two, maximum three months, can switch to IVF and planning pregnancy directly.” , said Adamyan.
The doctor assures that the risk of complications after vaccination is “a thousand times lower” than harm to the body from COVID-19, especially if it is severe. It is worth considering the influence of special medications that are used to treat the disease.
Nutrition rules before and after the test
Before Mantoux, you need to visit a pediatrician who will examine the child and remind you of foods that should not be eaten.
The principles of nutrition during the test are the same for children of all ages. But, if small children are examined, one difference should be taken into account related to the nutrition of infants.
What can you eat after the Mantoux test? Nutritional features of a baby under 2 years old
At the age of up to one year (sometimes up to two years), children constantly receive new food for the body. Breastfeeding ends, the diet becomes richer every day. For a week after the baby has been vaccinated, it is necessary to stop introducing complementary foods. After all, it is impossible to predict a child’s reaction to this or that new product. It can cause an allergy, then the substances in the tuberculin vaccine will intensify its manifestations.
You should monitor the reaction to foods familiar to the child. Red cheeks, peeling skin, small pimples may be symptoms of an allergy, then Mantoux will be unreliable. The diet should be made more strict, and the described manifestations should be observed. If they do not disappear, a medical outlet is needed.
In general, the list of prohibited foods for infants is no different from that for older children. Don't worry about lack of appetite. Many children react this way to tuberculin.
During Mantoux it is better to drink as much liquid as possible. Fatty foods should be replaced with light soups. It is good if various cereals and dried fruits are introduced into the diet. With Mantoux you can eat vegetables. Limited consumption of fruits and berries can cause a lack of vitamin C, so it is recommended to take a vitamin complex.
Is it possible to eat sweets during Mantoux?
The consumption of sweets should be limited, although completely eliminating sugar from the diet does not make sense. However, baked goods such as cakes or pastries may contain allergens. You can't eat something so sweet. This also applies to chocolate and strawberries. A pediatrician who constantly monitors a child will be able to say with confidence whether he can eat sweets.
Dyes and food additives contained in some candies may not have a positive effect on the body's reaction. Before administering tuberculin, you can take tests to rule out intolerance to a particular food. Your pediatrician will tell you how many days you should not eat sweets.
What not to eat with Mantoux
List of prohibited products:
- fresh berries;
- chocolate, especially white and milk;
- grape;
- watermelon;
- any citrus fruits;
- fruit juices, especially freshly squeezed and citrus juices;
- mushrooms;
- heavy meat dishes;
- Fish and seafood;
- chicken eggs (quail eggs are possible);
- spices;
- carbonated drinks;
- fast food and semi-finished products.
Recommendations regarding fast food during the trial
Fast food – “fast food” – contains a large number of food additives and flavorings. They can cause allergies. The Mantoux test itself is not a contraindication to fast food consumption. However, it should be remembered that this type of food is not good for health, not only for the Mantoux reaction. It is better to give preference to dishes prepared at home with your own hands, which contain more vegetables.
Is the coronavirus vaccine safe for older people?
According to the chief physician of the hospital in Kommunarka, Denis Protsenko, vaccination against coronavirus will help reduce mortality among elderly patients with confirmed COVID-19. The level of antibodies in older people after vaccination against coronavirus is usually lower than in young people, said Deputy Head of Rospotrebnadzor Tatyana Nepomnyashchikh. “If the antibody level is zero, something must have gone wrong. Maybe the person had health problems or was simply overworked at the time of vaccination. Or he has an acquired or permanent immunodeficiency. “In older people, the immune response takes longer to form than in young people, and their antibody levels tend to be lower,” she noted.
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Vaccination for elderly patients will be safe if the patients do not have exacerbations of chronic diseases, they have not had ARVI for two weeks before vaccination and have not received other vaccinations for 30 days, said Andrei Tyazhelnikov, chief freelance specialist in primary health care for adults. “I would like to say that the oldest Muscovite vaccinated against coronavirus is 104 years old <...> In total, more than 700,000 people in Moscow have been vaccinated against coronavirus, of which 50% are over 60 years old,” he noted. The expert recalls that citizens over 60 years of age are in the highest risk group and are more susceptible to coronavirus. “In fact, vaccination is the only way to protect older patients <...> We must intensify the vaccination process more than ever,” he added.
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Is it possible to smoke and drink alcohol?
Many people are interested in whether it is possible to smoke and drink alcohol during Mantoux and whether bad habits will affect the test results. It is recommended to refrain from smoking, and especially drinking alcohol, at least a couple of days before and after the administration of tuberculin.
The fact is that alcohol after Mantoux can lead to an increase in papules at the site of tuberculin injection.
This is due to the fact that at this moment a reaction occurs in the body due to the action of acetaldehyde on H1-histamine receptors. Therefore, the result may be false positive or false negative, which will require a new test.
How often will you need to be vaccinated against COVID-19?
Georgy Ignatiev, head of the general virology department at the Chumakov Center, believes that vaccination against coronavirus will most likely have to be done annually. “According to studies, those who have recovered from coronavirus infection demonstrate a decrease in the level of specific antibodies, therefore, perhaps, as in the case of influenza, people will have to be vaccinated annually, including those who previously had COVID-19 with a critical decrease in the level of antibodies,” - he explained.
Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova said the same thing in an interview with TASS. According to her, the coronavirus is gradually turning into a seasonal virus, so it is highly likely that you will have to be vaccinated against the infection regularly. “Of course, when we take off our masks is connected with 60% of the vaccinated population, and with our citizens’ compliance with restrictive measures during this period, and with the fact that the coronavirus turns into a seasonal virus, which means, with a high degree of probability, that we We will be vaccinated regularly,” she said.
Golikova noted that neither the world nor Russia have yet accumulated sufficient experience in terms of understanding how long immune protection lasts. “Of course, now everyone is “relaxed” and believes that Covid is going away, the situation is better now, but while the virus is not going anywhere yet, we must take care of ourselves and our loved ones,” the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized.
