‘This virus is not a joke for young people’ - Teen in hospital with Covid urges others to get vaccinated

A teenager in hospital with Covid-19 has urged others to get vaccinated, warning the virus “is not a joke for young people”.

Maisy Evans, 17, was due to return to sixth form classes on Monday (6 September) but is still struggling for breath after suffering a Covid-related clot on her lung.

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An ‘awful experience’

Ms Evans had received her first dose of the Pfizer vaccine on 11 August and attributed her symptoms of a mild headache and an achy arm to side effects of the jab.

However, after still feeling unwell two days later, she took a coronavirus test which came back positive.

The 17-year-old was later admitted to hospital on 25 August, with doctors concerned she also had meningitis or sepsis.

However, Blood tests, X-rays and scans confirmed she had a Covid-related clot on her right lung.

Ms Evans, who attends Torfaen’s Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw, said she has been in hospital ever since and is unsure when she will be discharged.

She said CT scans confirmed that the clot on her lung was not caused by the one vaccine dose she has had, but was instead triggered by her infection.

The teen has suffered headaches, breathlessness, sickness, achy muscles, dizziness and a loss of taste and smell since contracting Covid-19, and described it as an “awful experience”.

Ms Evans explained that she is currently taking antibiotics, steroids, morphine and blood thinners, and urged others to “take this virus seriously, even if you consider yourself generally fit and well”.

She said: “I have no underlying health conditions. Generally, I am fit and well.

“This virus is dangerous and should not be underestimated!”

Her mum, who has had two vaccine doses, also tested positive for coronavirus but only suffered mild symptoms.

“Get vaccinated”

Ms Evans is now calling for all those who are eligible to come forward to get vaccinated if they have not done so already.

The teen shared the experience of her ordeal on Twitter and hit back at those who suggested her illness was triggered by the vaccine, saying it is “upsetting” that people are not willing to accept the impact coronavirus can cause.

She said: "Reading comments from those who are against the vaccines frustrates me deeply.

"I shared my story to encourage my peers to protect themselves."

Ms Evans said doctors are hopeful she will make a full recovery, but it may take a while for the breathlessness to go away.

She is expected to stay in hospital for a few more days.

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