COVID August - Vaccines, etc. @ Content

[Scout'sHonor]

I was hoping for the flu/covid combo shot this year, but it looks like it's still in trial phases and should be ready fall 2024. And the flu/covid/rsv triple shot for fall 2025.

[neverfstop]

And....my DD1 just got her first positive, the day before her 9th birthday. She's so upset & I feel awful about having to cancel her party. We've all been traveling together the last 2 weeks, so I have no idea how she got it and none of the rest of us have it (yet) - maybe on a plane or train? She started feeling a bit puny the last 2-3 days ago but we just thought it was long travel & jet lag, but yesterday she started having allergy symptoms.

I'm sure the rest of us will get it or already have it even if we are not testing positive...

[pizzaandtulips]

Those who have recently had Covid or have family members with it - are there any changes to the common symptoms? Each strain seems to have some slightly different symptoms and I’m wondering if there is anything unique about this one.

[lilac05]

Aug 19, 2023 9:28:48 GMT -5 pizzaandtulips said:

Those who have recently had Covid or have family members with it - are there any changes to the common symptoms? Each strain seems to have some slightly different symptoms and I’m wondering if there is anything unique about this one.

My parents just had it. My mom has a fever, cold symptoms, and fatigue. My dad had all of the above plus what sounds like pretty intense chest and leg pain. He could barely get into the car to go to the ER…but he’s known for a bit of exaggeration when he’s sick, so take that with a grain of salt. My mom recovered quickly and tested negative by Day 6 of symptoms, I think. My dad started symptoms & tested positive on Sunday, started Paxlovid Monday and tested negative by Friday. Of course, still at risk for rebound with the Paxlovid. I was surprised that they both got their first negative tests so quickly!

[macmars45]

Aug 19, 2023 9:28:48 GMT -5 pizzaandtulips said:

Those who have recently had Covid or have family members with it - are there any changes to the common symptoms? Each strain seems to have some slightly different symptoms and I’m wondering if there is anything unique about this one.

H, DS(7) and I all had it last month for the very first time. We all had fever, chills, no appetite and were utterly exhausted. Like could sleep forever and still be exhausted. Oh, except H got insomnia. So just DS & I slept a lot. That only lasted 2-3 days. By day 5/6 all we had left was no appetite and sleeping extra every night. Like 9-10 hours for me until day 10. DS was sleeping 12+ hours every night until day 10.

We tested positive for 12 days even though we felt basically fine by day 5/6.

[plutosmoon]

Aug 19, 2023 9:28:48 GMT -5 pizzaandtulips said:

Those who have recently had Covid or have family members with it - are there any changes to the common symptoms? Each strain seems to have some slightly different symptoms and I’m wondering if there is anything unique about this one.

I had it recently, sore throat for about a day then a runny nose for 2 days. The symptoms were so mild compared to my previous bout, no fever, no muscle aches, no cough. I tested positive on a Tuesday on day 2 of the runny nose, pretty much better by Wednesday and was negative by Friday morning when I retested. My understanding is the symptoms are all over the place.

[Velar Fricative]

Aug 19, 2023 9:28:48 GMT -5 pizzaandtulips said:

Those who have recently had Covid or have family members with it - are there any changes to the common symptoms? Each strain seems to have some slightly different symptoms and I’m wondering if there is anything unique about this one.

Two of us had it last month, both for the second time. We both had similar minor cold-like symptoms, which at least for me was way better than the first time I had it. She had a fever for a few hours but I’ve never had a fever with covid. Despite my milder version this time around the covid gods still hate me because I lost my smell and taste for a full week again. But I seem to be the only person I’ve known to have lost taste and smell at all in the last 18-24 months.

[StrawberryBlondie]

Aug 19, 2023 14:06:36 GMT -5 Velar Fricative said:

Aug 19, 2023 9:28:48 GMT -5 pizzaandtulips said:

Those who have recently had Covid or have family members with it - are there any changes to the common symptoms? Each strain seems to have some slightly different symptoms and I’m wondering if there is anything unique about this one.

Two of us had it last month, both for the second time. We both had similar minor cold-like symptoms, which at least for me was way better than the first time I had it. She had a fever for a few hours but I’ve never had a fever with covid. Despite my milder version this time around the covid gods still hate me because I lost my smell and taste for a full week again. But I seem to be the only person I’ve known to have lost taste and smell at all in the last 18-24 months.

DH never tested positive when he was sick last summer (almost exactly a year ago) but he lost his sense of taste for almost 4 months. So maybe it was a different virus and not actually COVID but we're assuming it was COVID based on how long he couldn't taste much of anything.

[abs]

Aug 19, 2023 14:06:36 GMT -5 Velar Fricative said:

Aug 19, 2023 9:28:48 GMT -5 pizzaandtulips said:

Those who have recently had Covid or have family members with it - are there any changes to the common symptoms? Each strain seems to have some slightly different symptoms and I’m wondering if there is anything unique about this one.

Two of us had it last month, both for the second time. We both had similar minor cold-like symptoms, which at least for me was way better than the first time I had it. She had a fever for a few hours but I’ve never had a fever with covid. Despite my milder version this time around the covid gods still hate me because I lost my smell and taste for a full week again. But I seem to be the only person I’ve known to have lost taste and smell at all in the last 18-24 months.

You aren’t alone. Everyone in my house got Covid in mid July. All three of us all lost our sense of taste and smell. I was very disappointed to learn that was still a thing.

@@
I lost it for maybe two days, DD lost it for four, and DH maybe closer to a week. 0/10 stars. Do not recommend. Overall it was pretty bad for us compared to the first time. Covid continues to be weird.

[underwaterrhymes]

I’m watching this new strain (BA.2.86)closely. There is still a lot people don’t know about it, but given that it’s turned up in four very different spots (Israel, UK, Denmark and the US) it’s likely more widespread. This is a highly mutated version of Omicron, and depending on how things go with it, some epidemiologists are speculating they may eventually name it as a new variant (Pi).

www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/eris-ba286-do-i-need-worry-about-covid-again-2023-08-19/

[orangello]

H tested positive this morning at urgent care, after testing negative on a home test. He woke up yesterday morning feeling like crap, and he’s had a constant fever, cough, congestion, and this morning woke up with a terrible sore throat. Hopefully the Paxlovid helps.

I am trying to avoid catching it, we leave for Europe in 12 days 😭

[waverly]

When I had it (not the new strain) I had very painful body aches for 4 days. Tylenol didn’t touch it and Motrin gives me a rash. Any suggestions for the next time I get it to address the pain?

[underwaterrhymes]

Aug 20, 2023 12:24:12 GMT -5 waverly said:

When I had it (not the new strain) I had very painful body aches for 4 days. Tylenol didn’t touch it and Motrin gives me a rash. Any suggestions for the next time I get it to address the pain?

Did you take Paxlovid? I highly recommend it.

[underwaterrhymes]

orangello - 🤞🤞 you avoid getting it. I had it back in July and while we had to reschedule our niece’s visit to us, everyone else in my family avoided getting it and we were able to take our trip.

[waverly]

Aug 20, 2023 12:31:36 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

Aug 20, 2023 12:24:12 GMT -5 waverly said:

When I had it (not the new strain) I had very painful body aches for 4 days. Tylenol didn’t touch it and Motrin gives me a rash. Any suggestions for the next time I get it to address the pain?

Did you take Paxlovid? I highly recommend it.

I went to urgent care but they did not prescribe it. Maybe I will try telehealth next time and specifically ask for it.

[underwaterrhymes]

Aug 20, 2023 13:00:52 GMT -5 waverly said:

Aug 20, 2023 12:31:36 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

Did you take Paxlovid? I highly recommend it.

I went to urgent care but they did not prescribe it. Maybe I will try telehealth next time and specifically ask for it.

It helps SO MUCH. I really think everyone should have easy and free access to it. Your mouth will taste like death for the duration, but it’s worth it for how it alleviates the worst of the symptoms (with the exception, for me, of fatigue, which I still definitely had.)

[imimahoney]

My in-laws are in Florida for a 50th wedding anniversary party. Well the bride of the couple tested positive yesterday and her granddaughter tested positive today. People flew in from all over the country and they will have to cancel the party. YIKES

If my in-laws escape Florida without getting covid I will be SHOCKED

[beerlover]

Aug 20, 2023 13:00:52 GMT -5 waverly said:

Aug 20, 2023 12:31:36 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

Did you take Paxlovid? I highly recommend it.

I went to urgent care but they did not prescribe it. Maybe I will try telehealth next time and specifically ask for it.

My telehealth (Teladoc) would not prescribe it (their website said so). Do you have a primary care physician? I just called mine and asked for it, and she sent the prescription in. I also have asthma though so maybe that’s why she was willing.

[waverly]

I do have a primary care that I can message also. I went to urgent care because it was the weekend and I wanted them to check vitals. I guess I’m not as concerned about getting physically checked this time around.

[underwaterrhymes]

Aug 20, 2023 18:05:10 GMT -5 waverly said:

I do have a primary care that I can message also. I went to urgent care because it was the weekend and I wanted them to check vitals. I guess I’m not as concerned about getting physically checked this time around.

Both times I have had COVID, I just messaged my doctor through my portal and she prescribed Paxlovid without needing to see me.

[Velar Fricative]

FYI for anyone who had covid recently or hasn't had it yet - after my second bout in late July, my cycle is out of wack again. This also happened last year when I got covid the first time. I have a very consistent 28-day cycle. My period came a week early again, but I know last year only the first cycle post-covid was nuts. But I did jump for joy when I got it this week because otherwise it would have coincided squarely with vacation next week, and the last thing I need at Disney World in August is my period when I'll already have swamp ass.

I remember similar things happening after vaccinations rolled out so it must be something with how the vaccine mirrors covid itself that disrupts menstrual cycles. But I suppose that could be the case with other viruses as well? I swear my mind has focused purely on covid the last few years that I forget about what happens after having another virus.

[audette]

I had similar menstrual effects after Covid (in February). My cycle seems to be settling down now, but it's only now that I'm starting to have confidence in it behaving.


For those interested in Paxlovid - when I went to urgent care (associated with my primary care doc, but after hours and a different doc), I had to bring up Paxlovid. The doc sort of shrugged and said he felt it was borderline for me to need it, but that he would prescribe it if I wanted it. I don't think he would have mentioned it if I hadn't.

For what it's worth, I have two conditions that each put me at higher risk for poor Covid outcomes. I was surprised he thought it was borderline.


I still had a pretty rough go of things, even with Paxlovid, so I suspect it's a good thing that I was able to get the script. Even if my throat tasted like death for a week. (constantly sipping something with flavor helped)

[beerlover]

audette, my doctor was also very meh about Paxlovid. She even had her nurse call me to basically say they'd prescribe it but (not an exact quote) "its debatable whether it actually works or not." I have asthma and a genetic mutation that can affect the lungs, so I was also surprised at how lukewarm she was about it, but I'm glad she gave it to me. I felt much better within 12 hours of starting it. But yeah, it does taste like death!

[winemaker06]

I’m on day 7 after my second time getting COVID, and it hit me slightly harder this time. I actually got a thankfully short-lived fever, which never happened with boosters or sickness.

Interestingly, I tend to get really bad sinus infections and months-long asthma flare-ups after normal cold viruses but didn’t have the same problem with covid. When I did allergy testing last winter, I mentioned that, and the Dr said they have been seeing that trend of COVID not necessarily being an asthma trigger. And sure enough, I haven’t needed any albuterol this time either. It’s very odd. And just one anecdote, but, the asthma has been making me anxious about the disease overall, so might help others with similar issues!

[neverfstop]

And I've got COVID now too... DD tested positive Saturday, and I started feeling yucky Saturday and felt pretty bad Sunday & Monday. Tested twice a day and only tested positive Monday evening. Felt better starting Tuesday...runny nose, sneezing, scratchy throat, sore neck/glands, some coughing. But I've been working and trying not to get the other 2 people in my house from getting COVID.

[lilac05]

I feel like every time I turn around, someone else in my life has Covid. (Not from each other, totally different places.) Day 2 of school & kids are already out…but were at school day 1.

PDQ:
And yet, our hospital still isn’t requiring masks for patients, visitors, or staff except possibly on the pulmonary unit. I’ll be wearing mine when I’m there even though I hate it. It makes my job so much harder, and my test results less reliable. (I do Speech/language/swallowing with patients who have had TBI/strokes, etc. They often have a hard time understanding me with no mask and often rely on the additional visual cues of watching my mouth.) However, I’m not willing to risk unknowingly giving or receiving it from a patient. Interestingly enough, two of the only people remaining who haven’t had it are co-workers who have worked with Covid+ patients from the beginning.

[aurora]

I have it now (2nd time! 1st was a year ago). My symptoms are those of a mild cold: light cough, fatigue, maybe a very short fever two days ago (I felt chilled when it was hot out). I think I'm already on the upswing.

ETA I'm bummed that multiple vaccinations don't keep me from getting sick but have to assume that they have helped keep this one mild. I've certainly had much worse colds in pre-COVID years.

[orangello]

Aug 20, 2023 12:32:47 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

orangello - 🤞🤞 you avoid getting it. I had it back in July and while we had to reschedule our niece’s visit to us, everyone else in my family avoided getting it and we were able to take our trip.

I’m still in the clear! H is feeling better - he was completely miserable at the beginning of the week. Still a headache and tiredness. He came out of isolation on Friday, and is now masking everywhere and still eating separate. We leave in 6 days!

[underwaterrhymes]

Aug 26, 2023 9:09:22 GMT -5 orangello said:

Aug 20, 2023 12:32:47 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

orangello - 🤞🤞 you avoid getting it. I had it back in July and while we had to reschedule our niece’s visit to us, everyone else in my family avoided getting it and we were able to take our trip.

I’m still in the clear! H is feeling better - he was completely miserable at the beginning of the week. Still a headache and tiredness. He came out of isolation on Friday, and is now masking everywhere and still eating separate. We leave in 6 days!

🎉🎉🎉🤸‍♀️🤸‍♀️🤸‍♀️

[lilypad1126]

My coworker, who I spent about 4 hours with Thursday, just tested positive. They are doing ok, and while they felt crappy yesterday, said they’re feeling much better today. Sigh. Hopefully, we were standing far enough apart Thursday that I’m in the clear. I’m supposed to travel Monday for an overnight trip.

My job has me interacting with college students regularly so it’s really only a matter of time. And by that logic, if I have to get it, now would be the least disruptive time. However, I’m for sure going to be masking in the airport and doing extra hand washing to try to avoid it.