Pericarditis causes sharp or stabbingchest pain that worsens with breathingand typically improves when sitting up or leaning forward.
Triggered by COVID Infection
Heart-related conditions, including pericarditis, are a potential consequence of COVID-19 infection.
In those sources, they generally pertain to sex assigned at birth.

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Data is still limited regarding links between pericarditis and the Novavax vaccine.
Similar to the mRNA vaccines, most cases of pericarditis also occurred after the second Novavax vaccine dose.
Pericarditis may develop when a person is acutely ill with COVID-19 or after they have recovered from the infection.
Moreover, hospitalized people infected with COVID-19 with pericarditis were more likely to stay in the hospital longer.
They also had a higher chance of developing complications, namelycardiac arrestandacute kidney injury.
Living With Long COVID Complications
The complications of long COVID are diverse and sometimes debilitating.
Also, talk with a healthcare provider because you may benefit from medication or a referral to atherapist.
Pericarditisthe inflammation of the tissue surrounding the heartcan develop during an acute COVID-19 infection or after recovery.
Other heart-related consequences of COVID-19 include myocarditis, heart failure, heart attack, and arrhythmia.
Data regarding the risk of pericarditis from the Novavax protein-based vaccine is still emerging.
As such, the CDC recommends staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccination for all eligible individuals.
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