(turned into @) December Covid

[seeyalater52]

Dec 8, 2022 11:41:38 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

Dec 8, 2022 11:35:48 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

Now we will see how impossible it is to actually get once CDC signs off. These will be new vials and ordering already closed so they should ship by next week if the CDC moves quickly.

The CO vaccine clinics have been up to date so far, so I'm hoping that they continue to be with these boosters.

I’m jealous! My state like many others stopped doing any covid vax clinics period. When they did exist they never vaccinated kids under 5, although they mostly dried up before vaccines were approved for that age anyways.

The problem this time will mirror the last rollout, it’s just hard to get access for kids who are too young to be vaccinated at pharmacies.

CVS Minute Clinics did offer for 18m+ last time but only Pfizer so not useful for the booster approval this time. Pedis were super hit or miss with whether they carried covid vaccines and which brand(s) they had. If only option is pedi, like it would be for us, we’d be out of luck as it doesn’t look like our ped ordered bivalent doses in the pre-order round.

J isn’t eligible because he had a BA1 booster through the trial in Oct so I’m feeling a little… something. Idk. I need to figure out how long I have before I truly start to worry about him not having BA5 protection.

[wanderingback]

seeyalater52, thanks for keeping us up to date with this info, greatly appreciated.
I still have many months to go but it looks like our pediatrician office only does Pfizer. Thankfully there are still many options to get moderna under 5yo throughout the city listed on the city website. So I’ll prob do that when the time comes.

[seeyalater52]

Dec 8, 2022 11:59:43 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

seeyalater52, thanks for keeping us up to date with this info, greatly appreciated.
I still have many months to go but it looks like our pediatrician office only does Pfizer. Thankfully there are still many options to get moderna under 5yo throughout the city listed on the city website. So I’ll prob do that when the time comes.

Of course! I spend entirely too much time thinking about it so I’m glad someone finds it helpful!

I’m assuming that there will be a booster option for Pfizer kids at some point but it isn’t exactly clear what it will look like or what the data underlying the approval will be, so if it were me I’d still probably opt for Moderna if I was starting the series for a young kid aging into eligibility. With Moderna you get to full protection with the 2 doses and then add a bivalent booster on the same schedule Pfizer would add a bivalent (non booster) dose, but we know that the 2 doses of Pfizer didn’t provide adequate protection on their own and don’t have data about the efficacy with a 3rd bivalent dose compared to Moderna booster. Some of this data will likely be available in Q1 of 2023 though so we will see whether and how that shifts.

[icedcoffee]

Dec 8, 2022 11:30:01 GMT -5 sillygoosegirl said:

Dec 8, 2022 9:21:11 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

We officially have our first covid case in the house. My H tested positive today. We got off a cruise on Monday so we knew the risk we took.

He's going to KN95 anytime he leaves the basement.

I have my work holiday party tonight. I'm assuming I should not go even if I test negative, right? :::sob:::

Vacation was still worth it. We had a good run.

The guidelines say you should keep an N95 mask on at all times in public for 10 days post exposure, so if you choose to go you shouldn't eat or drink once you get there.

Yeah . I'm going to skip it.  I wasn't going to socialize.  I was going to eat and drink.  LOL 

[Poppy]

Dec 8, 2022 11:35:48 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

Bivalent vaccines approved by FDA for <5 (with caveats for kids fully vaccinated with Pfizer.)
www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-authorizes-updated-bivalent-covid-19-vaccines-children-down-6-months

Moderna bivalent booster - kids <6 who received 2 dose Moderna primary series (only) at least 2 months ago are eligible.

No true bivalent booster for Pfizer - kids <5 who have received only 2 doses of Pfizer’s primary series (originally 3 doses), the 3rd dose spaced at least 8 weeks out from dose 2 will now be a bivalent shot. Kids starting the series now will also receive the 3rd dose as bivalent.

More information about a true bivalent booster for kids vaccinated with the 3x Pfizer primary series to come in Jan. Mixed bag for those families as there isn’t a lot of clarity yet about timeline for waning protection prior to a booster approval.

Now we will see how impossible it is to actually get once CDC signs off. These will be new vials and ordering already closed so they should ship by next week if the CDC moves quickly.

Thank you so much. Now to decide whether to get DD boosted ASAP or wait for her 5th birthday in a month... Do you know how different the dose is? ETA nevermind, it looks like the Moderna booster is for 6 months through 5 (eg up to age 6). Might as well get it right away.

[seeyalater52]

Dec 8, 2022 13:00:18 GMT -5 Poppy said:

Dec 8, 2022 11:35:48 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

Bivalent vaccines approved by FDA for <5 (with caveats for kids fully vaccinated with Pfizer.)
www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-authorizes-updated-bivalent-covid-19-vaccines-children-down-6-months

Moderna bivalent booster - kids <6 who received 2 dose Moderna primary series (only) at least 2 months ago are eligible.

No true bivalent booster for Pfizer - kids <5 who have received only 2 doses of Pfizer’s primary series (originally 3 doses), the 3rd dose spaced at least 8 weeks out from dose 2 will now be a bivalent shot. Kids starting the series now will also receive the 3rd dose as bivalent.

More information about a true bivalent booster for kids vaccinated with the 3x Pfizer primary series to come in Jan. Mixed bag for those families as there isn’t a lot of clarity yet about timeline for waning protection prior to a booster approval.

Now we will see how impossible it is to actually get once CDC signs off. These will be new vials and ordering already closed so they should ship by next week if the CDC moves quickly.

Thank you so much. Now to decide whether to get DD boosted ASAP or wait for her 5th birthday in a month... Do you know how different the dose is? ETA nevermind, it looks like the Moderna booster is for 6 months through 5 (eg up to age 6). Might as well get it right away.

Yup exactly. The Pfizer bivalent booster for 5-11 and Moderna bivalent booster for under 6 is the same dose (10ug) so it is definitely advisable to get it ASAP anyways for a 4 year old turning 5 as there’s really no meaningful difference between manufacturers (unless they were originally vaccinated with Pfizer in which case they aren’t eligible for a booster until they turn 5 and can get the 5+ Pfizer booster.)

[NewOrleans]

Conditions are worsening across the country, with reported cases and hospitalizations up more than 25 percent in the past two weeks and test positivity rates rising quickly.
The current surge is milder so far than at this point in previous winter waves, but its nationwide scope is concerning. Since Thanksgiving, all but four states have seen hospitalization counts increase.

www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/us/covid-cases.html?name=styln-coronavirus®ion=TOP_BANNER&block=storyline_menu_recirc&action=click&pgtype=LegacyCollection&variant=show&is_new=false

[icedcoffee]

Is Paxlovid still only recommended for high risk people?

I'm still testing negative, but I have a sore throat. My H is positive so he's asking for Paxlovid today (high risk). If I test positive eventually should I push to get it or no? I am "low risk".

[fortnightlily]

Dec 9, 2022 9:07:51 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

Is Paxlovid still only recommended for high risk people?

I'm still testing negative, but I have a sore throat. My H is positive so he's asking for Paxlovid today (high risk). If I test positive eventually should I push to get it or no? I am "low risk".

I think the jury is still out on whether Paxlovid is all that effective for younger, generally healthier adults. One study: khn.org/morning-breakout/paxlovid-has-little-to-no-benefit-for-younger-adults-with-covid-study/  

But then there's other evidence it may help reduce instances of Long Covid. So I guess I'd just ask your doctor.

[seeyalater52]

@@@

For folks looking for (Moderna) bivalent boosters for kids <5 prior to Christmas Walgreens is now booking for this age group starting on Thurs. Shipments will likely be in by then.

[aspentosh]

This is sort of specific, but I still feel the need to ask.

If one person in your household got COVID (me) and everyone else was negative, did you totally unmask in your house after day 10 (today) even if you tested positive on an antigen test? Did everyone in the house stay negative?

I know the CDC updated guidance to say that it's ok, but I also know they have to give guidance that's doable for the masses... but I want to do what is safest for my house and me masking and sleeping alone isn't this huge hardship. But I also don't know if it's worth it to keep going.

[icedcoffee]

H is on day 2 of Covid (3 if you go based on when symptoms started). He’s miserable and masking/isolating.

DS2 was sent home with fever yesterday but tested negative. Today he had a super light line that I think I was only able to see from years of infertility. I’ll test him again tomorrow but UGH. Wouldn’t it be dark by day 2 of symptoms? He’s not masking because he sucks at it anyway. I only care because it affects when he can go back to school. Definitely not Monday based on today but maybe Tuesday if he remains negative.

I’m still testing negative but now as DS2s primary caretaker I’m like 😳

Also his poop is NASTY.

Somehow DS1 hasn’t even sneezed.

[dcn]

Dec 10, 2022 18:54:58 GMT -5 aspentosh said:

This is sort of specific, but I still feel the need to ask.

If one person in your household got COVID (me) and everyone else was negative, did you totally unmask in your house after day 10 (today) even if you tested positive on an antigen test? Did everyone in the house stay negative?

I know the CDC updated guidance to say that it's ok, but I also know they have to give guidance that's doable for the masses... but I want to do what is safest for my house and me masking and sleeping alone isn't this huge hardship. But I also don't know if it's worth it to keep going.

No, both times this happened we waited until we got a negative antigen test. H was negative on day 11 and I was negative on day 12. So really not too much longer.

[seeyalater52]

Dec 10, 2022 19:52:13 GMT -5 dcn said:

Dec 10, 2022 18:54:58 GMT -5 aspentosh said:

This is sort of specific, but I still feel the need to ask.

If one person in your household got COVID (me) and everyone else was negative, did you totally unmask in your house after day 10 (today) even if you tested positive on an antigen test? Did everyone in the house stay negative?

I know the CDC updated guidance to say that it's ok, but I also know they have to give guidance that's doable for the masses... but I want to do what is safest for my house and me masking and sleeping alone isn't this huge hardship. But I also don't know if it's worth it to keep going.

No, both times this happened we waited until we got a negative antigen test. H was negative on day 11 and I was negative on day 12. So really not too much longer.

This is what I would do. It isn’t perfect science but positive rapid antigen tests are a decent proxy for infectiousness and there is no real evidence that that isn’t the case after 10 days. The CDC’s recommendations on this have never been based on good science. If you went through all the trouble of masking to try to avoid passing the infection to family members I’d continue to do that until you test negative (personally I’d follow 2x negative tests 48 hours apart but y’all know I’m extra.)

[seeyalater52]

Dec 10, 2022 19:40:30 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

H is on day 2 of Covid (3 if you go based on when symptoms started). He’s miserable and masking/isolating.

DS2 was sent home with fever yesterday but tested negative. Today he had a super light line that I think I was only able to see from years of infertility. I’ll test him again tomorrow but UGH. Wouldn’t it be dark by day 2 of symptoms? He’s not masking because he sucks at it anyway. I only care because it affects when he can go back to school. Definitely not Monday based on today but maybe Tuesday if he remains negative.

I’m still testing negative but now as DS2s primary caretaker I’m like 😳

Also his poop is NASTY.

Somehow DS1 hasn’t even sneezed.

I swear to god us infertility people have the worst time with covid line eye.

That said, for a vaccinated person, even a kid, it is absolutely possible to have a negative or very light test even on day 2 of symptoms (or later, day 3+.) Given that another member of your household is positive and the symptoms he has I think you need to assume it could be a real developing positive and not send him to school unless he has continued to test negative each morning, especially because he won’t be masking there. If he’s very symptomatic Monday/Tuesday I’d probably keep him home anyways because that seems pretty sick to send to school regardless of whether it’s covid or not.

[icedcoffee]

Dec 10, 2022 20:05:47 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

Dec 10, 2022 19:40:30 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

H is on day 2 of Covid (3 if you go based on when symptoms started). He’s miserable and masking/isolating.

DS2 was sent home with fever yesterday but tested negative. Today he had a super light line that I think I was only able to see from years of infertility. I’ll test him again tomorrow but UGH. Wouldn’t it be dark by day 2 of symptoms? He’s not masking because he sucks at it anyway. I only care because it affects when he can go back to school. Definitely not Monday based on today but maybe Tuesday if he remains negative.

I’m still testing negative but now as DS2s primary caretaker I’m like 😳

Also his poop is NASTY.

Somehow DS1 hasn’t even sneezed.

I swear to god us infertility people have the worst time with covid line eye.

That said, for a vaccinated person, even a kid, it is absolutely possible to have a negative or very light test even on day 2 of symptoms (or later, day 3+.) Given that another member of your household is positive and the symptoms he has I think you need to assume it could be a real developing positive and not send him to school unless he has continued to test negative each morning, especially because he won’t be masking there. If he’s very symptomatic Monday/Tuesday I’d probably keep him home anyways because that seems pretty sick to send to school regardless of whether it’s covid or not.

This makes sense. Unless he wakes up miraculously better tomorrow he is not going Monday and we’d test Tuesday before sending for sure. Though he will mask at school as well as he can. He actually has been for a few weeks.

At what point do I stop testing myself?

We’ve gone through most of our stash at this point. 😿

[seeyalater52]

Dec 10, 2022 20:27:42 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

Dec 10, 2022 20:05:47 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

I swear to god us infertility people have the worst time with covid line eye.

That said, for a vaccinated person, even a kid, it is absolutely possible to have a negative or very light test even on day 2 of symptoms (or later, day 3+.) Given that another member of your household is positive and the symptoms he has I think you need to assume it could be a real developing positive and not send him to school unless he has continued to test negative each morning, especially because he won’t be masking there. If he’s very symptomatic Monday/Tuesday I’d probably keep him home anyways because that seems pretty sick to send to school regardless of whether it’s covid or not.

This makes sense. Unless he wakes up miraculously better tomorrow he is not going Monday and we’d test Tuesday before sending for sure. Though he will mask at school as well as he can. He actually has been for a few weeks.

At what point do I stop testing myself?

We’ve gone through most of our stash at this point. 😿

Unfortunately barring symptoms I’d probably keep testing everyone for another 5-7 days (maybe every other day) after the last person in your household to have covid tests negative. Have you been getting the free rapid tests from insurance every month? You can get 8 per member per household and under many insurances you can fill them at the pharmacy like a prescription. Hopefully if you haven’t used all those up you can at least get an extra round for the whole family now. I set myself an alarm every month for picking them up so we have a giant stash before they stop being covered at the end of the public health emergency (probably spring 2023.) Good luck to everyone in your household, sorry you’re dealing with all this sickness and complication!

[icedcoffee]

Dec 10, 2022 20:51:39 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

Dec 10, 2022 20:27:42 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

This makes sense. Unless he wakes up miraculously better tomorrow he is not going Monday and we’d test Tuesday before sending for sure. Though he will mask at school as well as he can. He actually has been for a few weeks.

At what point do I stop testing myself?

We’ve gone through most of our stash at this point. 😿

Unfortunately barring symptoms I’d probably keep testing everyone for another 5-7 days (maybe every other day) after the last person in your household to have covid tests negative. Have you been getting the free rapid tests from insurance every month? You can get 8 per member per household and under many insurances you can fill them at the pharmacy like a prescription. Hopefully if you haven’t used all those up you can at least get an extra round for the whole family now. I set myself an alarm every month for picking them up so we have a giant stash before they stop being covered at the end of the public health emergency (probably spring 2023.) Good luck to everyone in your household, sorry you’re dealing with all this sickness and complication!

I haven’t but I’m pretty sure I can get them from my library for free. 4 per person per day.

[aspentosh]

Dec 10, 2022 19:52:13 GMT -5 dcn said:

Dec 10, 2022 18:54:58 GMT -5 aspentosh said:

This is sort of specific, but I still feel the need to ask.

If one person in your household got COVID (me) and everyone else was negative, did you totally unmask in your house after day 10 (today) even if you tested positive on an antigen test? Did everyone in the house stay negative?

I know the CDC updated guidance to say that it's ok, but I also know they have to give guidance that's doable for the masses... but I want to do what is safest for my house and me masking and sleeping alone isn't this huge hardship. But I also don't know if it's worth it to keep going.

No, both times this happened we waited until we got a negative antigen test. H was negative on day 11 and I was negative on day 12. So really not too much longer.

Thanks! And same to you seeyalater52. I took one today and it was pretty obviously positive right away, so I hope the drop off is steep. Poor H is not sleeping well in the guest bedroom but we are so close to the holidays that it’s just not worth it to “give up” now. But then again I’ve always been a little over the top with precautions so I wasn’t sure if that was the case here.

[jene]

Dec 10, 2022 21:08:57 GMT -5 aspentosh said:

Dec 10, 2022 19:52:13 GMT -5 dcn said:

No, both times this happened we waited until we got a negative antigen test. H was negative on day 11 and I was negative on day 12. So really not too much longer.

Thanks! And same to you seeyalater52. I took one today and it was pretty obviously positive right away, so I hope the drop off is steep. Poor H is not sleeping well in the guest bedroom but we are so close to the holidays that it’s just not worth it to “give up” now. But then again I’ve always been a little over the top with precautions so I wasn’t sure if that was the case here.

If you look at the cdc isolation calculator, it says not to remove your mask until you test negative. I copied some of the text below

If your antigen test results are positive, you may still be infectious and should not remove your mask around others. Continue taking antigen tests at least 48 hours apart until you have 2 sequential negative results. This may mean you need to continue wearing a mask and testing beyond day 10.

[sillygoosegirl]

DH had a totally unhelpful telehealth visit with his PCP on Friday about his 4 rounds of COVID in the past 5 months. I'd suggested he try to get Paxlovid in case he's not actually clearing the COVID in between. Doctor thought (a) he's definitely clearing it in between because of negative tests in between, (b) definitely doesn't have long COVID due to no symptoms in between, (c) Paxlovid would be more likely to cause another rebound than help him kick the virus, and (d) Paxlovid has nasty potential side effects you don't want if you don't need them, like loss of taste, and (e) maybe he's getting false positives because he tests himself any time he has any symptoms at all and occassionally when be doesn't, and finally, (f) if he tests positive on a PCR test after 2 weeks, he could be referred to a specialist for not clearing the virus.

I was going to start going to this doctor this year, but now... maybe not so much. Why didn't he just say he didn't know?

[seeyalater52]

Dec 11, 2022 12:01:23 GMT -5 sillygoosegirl said:

DH had a totally unhelpful telehealth visit with his PCP on Friday about his 4 rounds of COVID in the past 5 months. I'd suggested he try to get Paxlovid in case he's not actually clearing the COVID in between. Doctor thought (a) he's definitely clearing it in between because of negative tests in between, (b) definitely doesn't have long COVID due to no symptoms in between, (c) Paxlovid would be more likely to cause another rebound than help him kick the virus, and (d) Paxlovid has nasty potential side effects you don't want if you don't need them, like loss of taste, and (e) maybe he's getting false positives because he tests himself any time he has any symptoms at all and occassionally when be doesn't, and finally, (f) if he tests positive on a PCR test after 2 weeks, he could be referred to a specialist for not clearing the virus.

I was going to start going to this doctor this year, but now... maybe not so much. Why didn't he just say he didn't know?

That last point is actually the worst one. Testing positive on a PCR test 2 weeks out from an infection is super meaningless. Does he need a doctor’s referral to see a specialist? It might be worth reaching out to a long covid clinic to share his symptoms and perhaps someone who actually understands covid will have a better sense of whether he needs to be evaluated? I’m sorry, this must be so frustrating for him and for you. I feel awful that he’s going through this and that his doctor doesn’t seem to have any idea about how concerning this is.

[icedcoffee]

I’m losing my mind. I just tested positive. DS2 tested negative this morning after a slight Evap line yesterday (TTTC people feel me). His symptoms are gone. Do I send him tomorrow? Take him for a PCR and await results? Cry?

DS1 is still testing very clearly negative and I’m inclined to send him because he has no symptoms and he’s super annoying to keep home. Also—he will wear a mask pretty reliably.

[sillygoosegirl]

Dec 11, 2022 12:34:54 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

Dec 11, 2022 12:01:23 GMT -5 sillygoosegirl said:

DH had a totally unhelpful telehealth visit with his PCP on Friday about his 4 rounds of COVID in the past 5 months. I'd suggested he try to get Paxlovid in case he's not actually clearing the COVID in between. Doctor thought (a) he's definitely clearing it in between because of negative tests in between, (b) definitely doesn't have long COVID due to no symptoms in between, (c) Paxlovid would be more likely to cause another rebound than help him kick the virus, and (d) Paxlovid has nasty potential side effects you don't want if you don't need them, like loss of taste, and (e) maybe he's getting false positives because he tests himself any time he has any symptoms at all and occassionally when be doesn't, and finally, (f) if he tests positive on a PCR test after 2 weeks, he could be referred to a specialist for not clearing the virus.

I was going to start going to this doctor this year, but now... maybe not so much. Why didn't he just say he didn't know?

That last point is actually the worst one. Testing positive on a PCR test 2 weeks out from an infection is super meaningless. Does he need a doctor’s referral to see a specialist? It might be worth reaching out to a long covid clinic to share his symptoms and perhaps someone who actually understands covid will have a better sense of whether he needs to be evaluated? I’m sorry, this must be so frustrating for him and for you. I feel awful that he’s going through this and that his doctor doesn’t seem to have any idea about how concerning this is.

While I agree it's concerning, I don't really think there is anyone who would know what to do about it.

I'm not sure what specialist he'd even want to try to see. While I've seen plenty of news articles saying that a leading theory on the cause of long COVID is infections that haven't been totally cleared, the clinic I know of in our area seems to only be treating symptoms, which isn't what DH needs (yet anyway, knock on wood).

DH isn't too concerned. I don't think he really believes his health could ever not be awesome (it always has been before). So I don't think he will follow up any more. I think the most he might do is stop home testing. Honestly a lot of his home tests are super faint, so at least if he went to urgent care for a rapid test if/when he felt off, we wouldn't we playing the "is it *really* even positive" game on top of everything else.

@@@@
I'm mostly just so sick of constantly being stuck at home with DD (her coop/school has very strict covid policies still), while DH is up in the guest room isolating. And sick of feeling like people must think I'm lying when I say we have to cancel plans yet again because DH has COVID again. And sick of feeling like there is just no end in sight.

[Velar Fricative]

Dec 11, 2022 14:44:20 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

I’m losing my mind. I just tested positive. DS2 tested negative this morning after a slight Evap line yesterday (TTTC people feel me). His symptoms are gone. Do I send him tomorrow? Take him for a PCR and await results? Cry?

DS1 is still testing very clearly negative and I’m inclined to send him because he has no symptoms and he’s super annoying to keep home. Also—he will wear a mask pretty reliably.

Omg I’m so sorry!

For DS2 - I would go for a PCR asap and keep him home until the results come back (hopefully) negative. I wouldn’t send him to school because if you saw a positive line, you need to consider that a true positive but I’d side with the PCR if it comes back negative.

For DS1 - I’d send him to school if he has no symptoms but with a mask and test every morning just before dropoff. That’s how we handled it when I was positive (though DD2 had to stay home from school with me since she wasn’t vaccinated yet).

[icedcoffee]

Dec 11, 2022 16:17:11 GMT -5 Velar Fricative said:

Dec 11, 2022 14:44:20 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

I’m losing my mind. I just tested positive. DS2 tested negative this morning after a slight Evap line yesterday (TTTC people feel me). His symptoms are gone. Do I send him tomorrow? Take him for a PCR and await results? Cry?

DS1 is still testing very clearly negative and I’m inclined to send him because he has no symptoms and he’s super annoying to keep home. Also—he will wear a mask pretty reliably.

Omg I’m so sorry!

For DS2 - I would go for a PCR asap and keep him home until the results come back (hopefully) negative. I wouldn’t send him to school because if you saw a positive line, you need to consider that a true positive but I’d side with the PCR if it comes back negative.

For DS1 - I’d send him to school if he has no symptoms but with a mask and test every morning just before dropoff. That’s how we handled it when I was positive (though DD2 had to stay home from school with me since she wasn’t vaccinated yet).

This is what I’m doing. I just ran DS2 out for a PCR (and one for me because might as well lol). If negative he’s going back on Tuesday!

This is so hard. I hate this game.

[icedcoffee]

Dec 11, 2022 15:55:26 GMT -5 sillygoosegirl said:

Dec 11, 2022 12:34:54 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

That last point is actually the worst one. Testing positive on a PCR test 2 weeks out from an infection is super meaningless. Does he need a doctor’s referral to see a specialist? It might be worth reaching out to a long covid clinic to share his symptoms and perhaps someone who actually understands covid will have a better sense of whether he needs to be evaluated? I’m sorry, this must be so frustrating for him and for you. I feel awful that he’s going through this and that his doctor doesn’t seem to have any idea about how concerning this is.

While I agree it's concerning, I don't really think there is anyone who would know what to do about it.

I'm not sure what specialist he'd even want to try to see. While I've seen plenty of news articles saying that a leading theory on the cause of long COVID is infections that haven't been totally cleared, the clinic I know of in our area seems to only be treating symptoms, which isn't what DH needs (yet anyway, knock on wood).

DH isn't too concerned. I don't think he really believes his health could ever not be awesome (it always has been before). So I don't think he will follow up any more. I think the most he might do is stop home testing. Honestly a lot of his home tests are super faint, so at least if he went to urgent care for a rapid test if/when he felt off, we wouldn't we playing the "is it *really* even positive" game on top of everything else.

@@@@
I'm mostly just so sick of constantly being stuck at home with DD (her coop/school has very strict covid policies still), while DH is up in the guest room isolating. And sick of feeling like people must think I'm lying when I say we have to cancel plans yet again because DH has COVID again. And sick of feeling like there is just no end in sight.

After playing the testing game this week I’m beginning to think these rapids are a bit of nonsense. I had symptoms Thursday and Friday. Today I have none and is also the first day I test positive. Make it make sense!!

[seeyalater52]

Dec 11, 2022 16:50:05 GMT -5 icedcoffee said:

Dec 11, 2022 15:55:26 GMT -5 sillygoosegirl said:

While I agree it's concerning, I don't really think there is anyone who would know what to do about it.

I'm not sure what specialist he'd even want to try to see. While I've seen plenty of news articles saying that a leading theory on the cause of long COVID is infections that haven't been totally cleared, the clinic I know of in our area seems to only be treating symptoms, which isn't what DH needs (yet anyway, knock on wood).

DH isn't too concerned. I don't think he really believes his health could ever not be awesome (it always has been before). So I don't think he will follow up any more. I think the most he might do is stop home testing. Honestly a lot of his home tests are super faint, so at least if he went to urgent care for a rapid test if/when he felt off, we wouldn't we playing the "is it *really* even positive" game on top of everything else.

@@@@
I'm mostly just so sick of constantly being stuck at home with DD (her coop/school has very strict covid policies still), while DH is up in the guest room isolating. And sick of feeling like people must think I'm lying when I say we have to cancel plans yet again because DH has COVID again. And sick of feeling like there is just no end in sight.

After playing the testing game this week I’m beginning to think these rapids are a bit of nonsense. I had symptoms Thursday and Friday. Today I have none and is also the first day I test positive. Make it make sense!!

In vaccinated people the symptoms can often frontload a rapid test because the initial symptoms are actually your body recognizing the virus from the vaccine priming and beginning to fight it off. I know it’s super counterintuitive, especially when symptoms are clearing right around the time a lot of people test positive for the first time (and especially counterintuitive that those asymptomatic people are typically infectious for another several days even without any symptoms!)

[Velar Fricative]

I was definitely an anomaly in my circle when I tested positive the same morning I began feeling symptoms. I was also an anomaly when I tested positive for 14 days straight, sigh. I took a home test every day that period and didn’t test negative until my symptoms disappeared, even though I felt mostly better by day 4 except that’s when I also began losing taste and smell lolsob. So in my case, the home tests were really accurate!

[aspentosh]

Dec 10, 2022 21:08:57 GMT -5 aspentosh said:

Dec 10, 2022 19:52:13 GMT -5 dcn said:

No, both times this happened we waited until we got a negative antigen test. H was negative on day 11 and I was negative on day 12. So really not too much longer.

Thanks! And same to you seeyalater52 . I took one today and it was pretty obviously positive right away, so I hope the drop off is steep. Poor H is not sleeping well in the guest bedroom but we are so close to the holidays that it’s just not worth it to “give up” now. But then again I’ve always been a little over the top with precautions so I wasn’t sure if that was the case here.

Day 12 and I'm still positive. This is SO FUN. 

The only "symptom" I have is a tiny bit of congestion, but it's 30* here and our heater always kills my nasal passages... so yeah, FUN.