Coronavirus: How to distinguish between breakthrough infection and vaccination side-effects

As the pace of vaccination speeds up, we are also continuing to hear about the rise in the number of people contracting COVID-19 after vaccination.

Now, vaccination has been certainly clinically proven to lower down the risk of catching COVID-19, and the complications associated with the illness, catching a breakthrough case, or developing concerning side-effects can happen and draw worries. Not only are vaccines known to cause certain unpleasant side-effects, which can be similar to COVID-19, a breakthrough COVID infection, wherein a person tests positive after being vaccinated, also causes some symptoms similar in nature to a mild illness. Having said this, it can be rather confusing to differentiate between symptoms, especially if you suspect what you have is COVID-19.

READ MORE: Risk factors which made people prone to catching COVID-19 in the second wave

So, how do you distinguish between the symptoms and safeguard yourself? We point out certain differences and help guide you through:

A breakthrough COVID case, i.e. a case of contracting COVID-19 after vaccination is said to be a situation when and where a person ends up contracting COVID-19, despite having some level of immunity. More specifically put, a breakthrough COVID case is identified to be one wherein a nasal swab detects the positive presence of the SARS-COV-2 virus, 10-14 days after vaccination.

Now, while breakthrough COVID cases are on the rise right now, breakthrough cases could be developed after both the first as well as the second dose, the risk of infection and severity is relatively higher after partial immunity.

Apart from this, there have been noteworthy differences between unvaccinated cases of COVID infections, and the ones which are contracted post vaccination.

Vaccination side-effects are inflammatory reactions that kick in when the antigen is injected into the body, via a harmless fragment of the spike protein in the vaccine. Not only are these commonly experienced, but they can also happen with any vaccines administered for use.

Since most of the inflammatory side-effects that come up are flu-like reactions, the very nature of side-effects and symptoms you get can feel similar to a respiratory infection, or COVID, with the way the virus is very much an active threat, it can be possible to suspect side-effects to be COVID symptoms, in some cases. This can especially be a concerning case in areas where there's still a high contagion threat and prevalence of the virus.

Regardless of whether it is a breakthrough case or just simple vaccination side-effects, any symptom should demand further investigation, if it becomes concerning enough to put you off of regular tasks, or there is a possible risk of contagion.

Both breakthrough cases and post-vaccination symptoms, in the case of COVID-19, can have some symptoms, such as:

-Fever (low or moderate grade temperature)

-Body pain

-Chills

-Fatigue and weakness

Not only are these symptoms very common with both breakthrough cases and vaccination side-effects, there can be some less common symptoms, such as skin rashes, gastrointestinal symptoms, which could also be expected.

Having said that, there are some ways to differentiate whether what you have is a post-vaccination breakthrough case or side-effects, namely, through the means of severity and timeline of symptoms you do get.

One, breakthrough cases have the highest chances of occurring if there's suspected COVID exposure to someone around the time of vaccination if you have been in possible contact with someone who tests COVID+. In comparison to this, vaccination side-effects kick in as a general response to immunization, and are more likely to occur, if you have been vaccinated.

Secondly, it’s important to remember that COVID symptoms in themselves, breakthrough infections or otherwise tend to aggravate in their intensity, and can strike possibly any day after vaccination. Vaccination side-effects, however, occur a day or two following inoculation, and are, in most cases, temporary lasting.

The contagious nature of symptoms is also something to check for while side-effects are never transmissible (since they aren’t caused by the infectious virus but a harmless spike protein), COVID symptoms, which arise from the infection, can be spread to other people, and hence something to be watched out for.

Both vaccination side-effects and COVID symptoms can be serious in nature. However, while the severity of one could draw fatal consequences, one is tied to underlying risks.

COVID vaccine side-effects, or adverse reactions are considered a rare occurrence. They are more likely to impact those who are allergic, or sensitive to one or the other vaccine ingredients, or have a prior poor reaction with vaccine side-effects. However, they can be managed well, if diagnosed in time. Contrary to this, severe COVID symptoms (which tend to aggravate if attention isn't sought at the right time) can be quite detrimental for someone who has pre-existing conditions or is at risk. In many cases, it can also lead to hospitalization or death.

Vaccines, in themselves, cannot lead to positivity on the RT-PCR test, because of the spike protein present in them, even if leads to a rise in the antibodies. However, if you do not feel a difference in your symptoms (or side-effects), days after getting vaccinated, or the intensity of the symptoms tend to feel worse, taking a COVID-19 test might be helpful.

If one does suspect a possible COVID infection, getting in touch with a healthcare provider, and quarantining oneself might also be helpful.