Why Get Vaccinated When I'd Survive COVID?

Despite headlines of young, seemingly healthy people falling victim to COVID-19, it’s still a common belief that healthy individuals don’t need the COVID-19 vaccine because the body will be able to fight off the virus. While for some this may be true, and 99% of those who get COVID do survive, the virus can wreak major havoc.

COVID-19 symptoms can last for months, leaving you feeling drained, short of breath, and weak. A new term – long-haulers – was coined during the pandemic to describe those experiencing lingering effects after initial recovery, and these long-haulers are reporting a host of physical and mental issues. New research shows that nearly one in five people diagnosed with COVID-19 is diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder like anxiety, depression or insomnia within three months.

What most don’t know about the seriousness of the coronavirus is the affects it has on the major organs, including potentially long-term damage to the heart, brain and lungs.

Brain: COVID-19 can cause strokes, seizures and may increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. It can even cause temporary paralysis known as Guillain-Barre syndrome.

Heart: Even those who experienced mild symptoms have developed heart muscle damage, which increases the risk of heart failure or heart complications in the future.

Lungs: COVID-19 patients often develop pneumonia that can cause scar tissue to form and cause severe damage to the alveoli, tiny air sacs in the lungs.

It’s worth pointing out that there’s a difference between just surviving and thriving. COVID-19 can affect every age group and can leave even the youngest of patients with long-term damage. So why is it important to get vaccinated? Consider that you could deal with a few potential short-term side effects now by taking the vaccine or possibly long-term and permanent health damage later if you are infected with COVID-19.

Antoine Keller, MD
Baton Rouge General Physicians - Cardiovascular & Thoracic Specialists
(225) 237-1515