PKD Life - Summer 2021 - 5

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HOW HAVE YOU
NAVIGATED DATING AND
NEW RELATIONSHIPS?
Awarene 
COVID-19 Vaccine
Questions
Q ARE THE
VACCINES
SAFE FOR PEOPLE
WITH PKD?
In most cases, yes. As of
late June, the Food and
Drug Administration had
authorized the Pfi zer vaccine
for people ages 12 and
older and the Moderna and
Johnson & Johnson vaccines
for those 18 and older.
This includes people with
underlying medical conditions.
The FDA noted that
the vaccines are expected to
be safe for people who are
at increased risk of severe
illness from COVID-19,
such as those with chronic
kidney disease. Check with
your doctor to see if the
vaccine is right for you.
Q IF I CAN'T BE
VACCINATED FOR
MEDICAL REASONS,
SHOULD I CONTINUE TO
WEAR A MASK IN PUBLIC?
Yes, the CDC recommends that everyone
without a COVID-19 vaccination,
especially if at higher risk for medical
reasons, should wear a mask to protect
themselves and others.
Q WHAT ABOUT IF
I'M VACCINATED
BUT TAKING IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE
DRUGS?
People with weakened immune
systems, such as those post-transplant
and taking immunosuppressive
drugs, may have a reduced immune
response to the vaccine and should
continue using protective measures
(such as wearing a mask) in public or
around unvaccinated people.
SHARE YOUR STORY
Would you like to be featured in
a future issue of PKD Life? Email
pkdlife@pkdcure.org.
" I was lucky because
my boyfriend and
I were friends for
a few years before
we started dating,
which I think made
it a little easier. He
knew what PKD was
and how it might
affect me down the
line, and we have
been together for
13 years now. You
don't have to give a
so-called disclaimer
on your first date,
but should reassess
as the relationship
grows. I truly believe
if you are dating
someone whom you
have strong feelings
for and they feel the
same, you need to
be open and honest
with them about
PKD. If your partner
can't understand
and support you,
then you deserve
better! "
-Ashley Heff ner,
Cleveland, Ohio
" Having ADPKD
has changed my life
considerably, as I
have to always be
vigilant about the
foods that go into my
body. The person that
you're sharing your
life with will have
to understand that
eating out will be a
luxury. That person
will also have to
understand that you
will probably need
dialysis and possibly
a kidney transplant
in the future. Lastly,
there's a chance that
your children will also
be born with PKD, so I
suggest talking about
your situation early
on. Sharing personal
information can be
scary, but as long as
the person you're
dating understands
what they're getting
themselves into, it
will help everyone in
the long run. "
-Nicholas Yee,
Sacramento, California
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT COVID-19 AND PKD, VISIT PKDCURE.ORG/CORONAVIRUS
5
http://www.PKDCURE.ORG/CORONAVIRUS
PKD Life - Summer 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of PKD Life - Summer 2021
