BJC CORP/BLUEPRINT 314 - Ad from 2021-02-21

COVID-19 Affects Organs
Throughout the Body
Make an informed decision about vaccination.

With nearly 28 million confirmed U.S. cases of COVID-19 and deaths approaching 500,000, doctors and
scientists are working to understand the damage the virus can cause throughout the body. It will take years
of research to fully understand the scope of a COVID-19 infection, but what we know today provides more
reasons to get vaccinated when you’re eligible and supply becomes available.
Far more than your lungs can be affected by COVID-19. The virus can contribute to or cause injury in the
heart, kidneys, brain, liver, gastrointestinal (GI) tract, eyes, skin and more — even in healthy people.
Here are a just a few examples of what COVID-19 can do to the body.

What else
can I do?
HEART AND BLOOD VESSELS

Cardiovascular effects of COVID-19 include blood
clots, cardiac inflammation, heart attacks and
problems pumping blood effectively. Symptoms
may range from chest pain to shortness
of breath, palpitations or syncope (feeling
lightheaded or fainting).

KIDNEYS

Early studies have shown COVID-19 can damage
the kidneys and increase the need for dialysis.
The virus can attack the kidneys directly, or
kidney failure may be secondary to events like
plummeting blood pressure. In New York, about
90% of people on ventilators also developed
acute kidney injury.

GI TRACT

In the GI tract, the virus may cause loss of
appetite, diarrhea, abdominal pain, difficulty
absorbing nutrients and gastrointestinal
bleeding. And people with pre-existing GI
problems are at higher risk of complications
from COVID-19.

EYES

About a third of people hospitalized for
COVID-19 develop eye abnormalities.
Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the membrane
lining the inner eyelid and front of the eye)
is common in severely ill people.
And infectious virus can stay in the eye
for up to three weeks.

Although vaccines are
becoming available, it
will be months before life
returns to normal as we
remember it. Until very
large numbers of our
community are vaccinated,
we must keep following
the safety steps we have
been taking throughout the
pandemic. Even after you
receive a vaccination, you
should continue to protect
yourself and others by:

Wearing a mask

6'

Maintaining a
physical distance of
at least 6 feet

BRAIN

In some cases, COVID-19 can cause seizures,
brain inflammation and strokes. People
hospitalized with COVID-19 may continue to
experience neurological symptoms after they’re
discharged. And the virus can also cause smell
and taste problems, headaches, extreme fatigue
and unclear thinking.

SKIN

Measles-like rashes, chickenpox-like blisters,
hives, and discolored and swollen skin can
result from COVID-19, causing pain and itching.
COVID toes and fingers have frostbite-like
areas with red or purple rashes or hive-like
skin eruptions.

Frequently washing
your hands or using
hand sanitizer

Regularly cleaning
high-touch surfaces

LIVER

Some people hospitalized with COVID-19 have
had increased liver enzyme levels, which may
mean the liver is at least temporarily damaged.
An increased immune system response or
medications used to fight the virus may be
causing the damage.

More research is needed on the long-term effects
of COVID-19, but we learn more about the body’s
response to it every day. Vaccination is your best
protection against long-term health effects. And
if you’ve had COVID-19, it’s important to follow up
with your primary care provider for regular care
and monitoring.

How Do I Get Vaccinated?
YOU MUST BE ELIGIBLE
In Missouri, health care workers, emergency responders, people
65 and older and those under 65 with specific underlying health
conditions are eligible for vaccination.
In Illinois, residents 65 and older and essential workers in specific
industries are currently eligible, with expansion to residents under
65 with certain health conditions set for Feb. 25.

IF YOU’RE ELIGIBLE, PRE-REGISTER AT:
BJC HealthCare/Washington University: bjc.org/vaccines

Avoiding large
gatherings

Jefferson County: jeffcohealth.org/covid19-vaccine
Franklin County: franklinmo.org
St. Clair County: co.st-clair.il.us/departments/healthdepartment
Madison County: co.madison.il.us/departments/health/index.php
St. Francois County: sfchc.org/covid-19-updates
Crawford County: crawfordcountymo.net/index_files/Page1235.htm
Local county public health department websites
Please visit one of these sites instead of calling your health
care provider for vaccine updates so that we can ensure
people with active or acute symptoms receive the help they
need. We appreciate your consideration.

Mercy: mercy.net/VaccineMissouri

YOU’LL BE NOTIFIED WHEN IT’S YOUR TURN

SSM Health: SSMHealth.com/covidvaccine

When vaccine becomes available, you’ll be contacted using
the information provided at pre-registration. Vaccinating all
those who are eligible will take several months. We appreciate
your patience and support as we work with the states to serve
all those in need of the COVID-19 vaccine.

St. Luke’s Hospital: lukesvaccine.com
St. Louis County: stlcorona.com/covid19-vaccines
St. Louis City: stlouis-mo.gov/covid-19
St. Charles County: sccmo.org/2162/COVID-19-Vaccine-Information