March 20, 2024
Spring arrives, along with an unwelcome guest
So sorry that I’ve been remiss in writing lately. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed with all the information rushing at us. I’d planned to write about getting a second bivalent booster, since the timing is good. The data is reassuring. It is safe and protects against long Covid. It protects children from Long Covid, as well as infants and pregnant women. Immunocompromised people should get a booster every 6 months or so. Getting my booster was on my To Do list.
Should have done it before I traveled. I flew to a meeting of a charity I am involved with. Should have know better. Despite wearing a mask most of both flights. I was in a meeting on Saturday with someone with symptoms. She wore a mask but sneezed and coughed. I should have put a mask on. I had the same feeling many of us have, I didn’t want to make them feel bad.
I am “Novid” no longer. I felt a bit off yesterday, 2 days after exposure, and worse today. Covid test negative yesterday, positive this morning. Sigh. I just read an analysis that “Superdodgers” are just really good about avoiding exposure rather than having some innate immunity. I think that was true with me. I’d been vigilant up until now.
My symptoms are the common ones listed: fatigue, headache, mild cough, mild congestion,, mild sore throat but no loss of taste or smell. Also, apathy- a very distinct feeling for me- maybe it’s just fatigue. I could tell I felt different than when I’ve had the flu or other viruses.
Fortunately, I started Paxlovid already so I should feel better soon. Paxlovid has been shown to be effective. So far no bad side effects.
The big question is how long to isolate. CDC shortened isolation- a controversial move to many. Some applaud it, others worry that people will leave isolation too soon and expose others. Guidelines for health care workers advise them to isolate longer and to have a negative test. To me, it’s a reminder to wear masks if you are vulnerable, especially in crowded areas. I will definitely wear a mask until I test negative off Paxlovid, in case I have rebound.
Get your boosters. Mine is about 5-6 months old. Now I’ll wait a couple months to get it.
At least I felt fine on Monday, walked to see the amazing cherry trees at the “Quad” at UW. Me, along with so many others. A stunning display on a gorgeous Seattle day.
Enjoy the longer days, the joy springing up from the earth, and take care of yourselves. I’m glad spring is here, I think my motivation is returning!
And finally, my caveat is that this is my experience and my opinions, which are subject to change as more information is available. Thanks for reading.
Share this post if you know of others who may be interested. All links are listed at the bottom of this post. The New York Times articles have links that are gift links, allowing you to read the article for free.
https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/covid19vaccine/109243
https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/covid19vaccine/109219definition
https://www.medpagetoday.com/opinion/second-opinions/108939
https://www.webmd.com/vaccines/covid-19-vaccine/news/20240221/vaccinated-people-lower-risk-long-covid-study
https://www.jwatch.org/na57245/2024/03/14/covid-19-vaccination-lowers-risk-long-covid
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(23)00414-9/fulltext
https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/doi/10.1542/peds.2023-064446/196419/Vaccine-Effectiveness-Against-Long-COVID-in
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/10/opinion/covid-endemic-fear.html?unlocked_article_code=1.eU0.3O4V.1GxE-m5IPqHq&smid=url-share
https://www.nytimes.com/article/covid-symptoms-treatment.html?unlocked_article_code=1.eU0.440H.-y_tkpo5RL8R&smid=url-share
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/30/2/23-0835_article
https://www.medpagetoday.com/opinion/second-opinions/108817
https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/covid19/108981
https://www.medpagetoday.com/opinion/second-opinions/109196
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-risk-assesment-hcp.html