Gotta catch’em all
I have been recovering from my 4th COVID infection. I’ve told people, it’s not Pokemon, I’ve NOT gotta catch em all. Seems bad luck, my immune system, or shitty people I work around will continue to give it to me. 🫤
Yeah I get what you are saying. Asymptomatic carriers are an even bigger problem for people with low immunity.
4 times, that’s rough. Were they all pretty bad cases?
I feel lucky I’ve only gotten it once despite working retail, but I did get the flu once too and it was much worse than COVID.
For anyone curious, I do keep up with my vaccines and boosters.
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new pokemon caught: covid
PSA: you can still get free rapidtests, and it can definitely be useful to know whether a cold is just a cold
In the US, https://www.covid.gov/tools-and-resources/resources/tests
Thanks for sharing this!
Yeah I got tested (RT-PCR) at a clinic too. COVID 19 confirmed. The rapid at-home test got it right all three times.
I wish you a well recovery.
I was feeling pretty bad a few days before Christmas. Couldn’t breathe, anxiety level off the roof. I did a COVID test from the pharmacy which was negative, which in turn made me feel even more anxious about my health. A day after Christmas I was so bad I went to the hospital. They tested me there and in less than a minute it was a positive.
It was a pretty bad COVID, I got vaccinated about 2 years ago but this was the first time I actually got it. It went pretty pretty bad.
I am still suffering from long COVID symptoms, mostly issues with short breath etc. Currently lying down on the couch trying to get better. I really hope this ends soon, I need my life back.
I hope you don’t have to go through the same thing. I really wish you a swift recovery.
PSA - Rapid tests from the pharmacy are highly accurate at proving a positive, they are very inaccurate at proving a negative.
Meaning if it’s positive, you’re positive. If it’s negative, you may still be positive.
When in doubt, get a PCR test.
I’ve also never, never seen someone test positive on the first day of symptoms. Sometimes on the second, but almost always on the third.
The CDC bitching out to corporations by saying test on the first day so people can keep going to work sick is still insanity. I really wish they allowed people to throat swab since it’s supposed to be more effective, but I’m sure they’re worried about our litigious culture saying we’re trying to choke Republicans to death with microchips.
Test manufacturers back up your observations.
I still haven’t caught it. There are dozens of us! Dozens!
Maybe you just got a case without symptoms
Me too, however I vaccinated early and was mostly good about isolation when it was required, hence it’s plausible that I have been lucky.
Same boat, and while havent gone full CovIdiot, I havent really been super cautious either
edit: not sure if it’s the Covidiots or people who are annoyed that I wasnt more cautious that are downvoting me
You might just be asymptomatic or immune. Congrats!
I’m really wondering if I’m immune at this point tbh
You can be flat out immune? Might explain alot on my side, been rocking the dodge build this whole time.
country/city
#monacoposting
#citystates
Vatican and Singapore?
Uldah, Limsa, or New Gridania. Get your shit together sprout.
I hope you have a speedy recovery with no lingering effects!
Genuine question (honestly, I’m not trying to be a troll or start a fight): doesn’t it make anyone mad that things have gotten to the point where we can’t live our lives without constant reinfection?
I ask 'cause I’ve been trying to rationalize this question, and no one in my life is really talking/acknowledging COVID anymore, so I’m not really able to bring this up without being that guy who still cares about the pandemic.
We can’t live our lives without yearly influenza waves (and other viruses) either. We had one window of opportunity to stop COVID, that was when it first appeared in China. The moment it got in more places, Pandora’s box was open and would never be closed again. The COVID we have now and the one back then are wildly different. Since omicron the amount of deaths and even ICU usage has gone down a cliff while the number of infections has skyrocketed. Vaccines + omicron have lead us from the epidemic/pandemic into the endemic stage, where it’s just become a part of life like the flu. Not awesome, still ruining life’s, but far from the death machine it once was.
I appreciate these perspectives. Thanks.
Can it evolve to a deadlier or less transmissible strain like the first SARS 1 where it will eventually stop the transmission?
No, it doesn’t.
- The name is the same, but the virus is much weaker.
- We haven’t found a way to eradicate it. I have more important things to worry about than something so futile.
I especially appreciate your second point.
Out of curiosity, of those that are getting infected multiple times, have you been keeping up with your vaccinations? Fully or partially, or not at all?
Unfortunately, due to the nature of COVID, the vaccines aren’t fully effective at stopping infection. The virus is just too effective, and our immune system doesn’t maintain the response required.
What they do is give the immune system a massive headstart. This vastly reduces the peak viral load. This both reduces the chances of it being dangerous, as well as reducing how infectious you are.bit doesn’t always stop you getting reinfected however.
Vaccines aren’t designed to stop infection. They never intended to.
The vaccine is intended to get your body familiar with the virus so that when you do get it your body knows exactly how to fight it.
Depending on the target, vaccines can allow the immune system to eliminate it before it can start multiplying significantly. For things like measles etc, this effect is strong enough to provide effective immunity. Whether vaccines can stop infections depends a lot on how you define infection. They won’t magically stop the virus being able to enter your body. They can stop them from establishing themselves and stop you becoming infectious to others.
Unfortunately, the coronavirus family viruses are particularly slippery. Even our primary immunity from infection is often short lived. COVID is ridiculously good at both hiding from the immune system, and spreading to new hosts. The vaccine provides significant protection, but isn’t effective enough to provide complete immunity.
Also basically no country in the world is taking elimination of the virus seriously.
In fact - Australia’s stance is “get your arse back on the office/school/factory you ugly mug”, and that’s about it.
That’s because it is unreasonable to take elimination of the virus seriously at this point. It’s like saying no one is taking seriously the elimination of cold and flu. For better or worse, it’s here to stay. Elimination is no longer an option.
Even then, the one thing we should have got right was that you’re required to take sick leave when you’re positive.
Yet our government says my colleague is allowed to bring COVID into the office twice in a month, further risking the health of my high risk parents and grandparents. As if that’s even remotely acceptable.
If you’re sick, you get sick leave in Australia, no? If you get covid, just like if you get a bad cold or the flu, you should take your sick leave. That’s why it exists.
I’m not even sure what you’re saying at this point. That people should be required to take leave when they’re sick? Yes, obviously…
So your coworker was sick, and you would like the ability to compel them through some authority to go home whenever you think they’re sick? Or they tested positive, were no longer contagious, and came back? I’m honestly just confused.
I had it 4 times last season and twice this season. I got the initial 2 dose vaccine in early 2021 and a booster each November since then for a total of 5 shots. I think the boosters have helped me to not have terrible symptoms, a few times it’s been just a stuffy nose and loss of smell, maybe a low grade fever. I’ve only had two infections that I would consider bad and even then I’ve been nowhere near hospitalization or even doctor checkup.
That’s a lot of times. Do you generally ask everyone to sneeze in your mouth, or do you just eat a select few?
I’ve got a toddler in daycare and I work as a specials/resource teacher in an elementary school where I see 700 kids a week. So the sneezing in my face is pretty accurate unfortunately.
Oh no. I wish you the very best of sneeze avoidance.
You are on the at risk group that needs better PPE. Maybe a Hazmat suit. I can imagine now why your infection rate is so bad.
That suuucks. Do you wear a mask? It seems like you are especially likely to catch it whether because of your job, immune system or other factor.
I’m still one of the “crazy” people who wears a mask to work and I’ve only got it once in 2022, but I know it’s anecdotal.
I wore a mask religiously all through my pregnancy but the last two years I haven’t as much unless I have symptoms of anything. My immune system is great against everything except Covid apparently, it’s the only thing I’ve had in years.
I’ve had it 3 times: I had the two vaccinations, one booster and this years annual booster, but I believe I missed one. I’ve generally had a strong immune system, but am definitely reaching an age where I can no longer just assume good health
- First was worst. I realized it wasn’t a cold when I couldn’t smell the curry I was making. I ran a fever for a couple of days and was actively sick more than a week - that was before vaccinations existed
- Second was just like a cold for several days. I believe I ran a brief fever from symptoms but missed it with the thermometer
- Third was I think a day or two, caught on the flight back from seeing family this past Thanksgiving. The biggest problem was the test and trying to self-quarantine. It’s much harder when you don’t feel sick
- My kids had it twice more, from school, but I avoided it despite keeping them home from school and being around them all day
While it continues to affect us, there really seems to be a progression where it’s less and less
3 time gang. I got my first round about a month prior to covid even being officially announced. 2nd and 3rd I was vaxxed and masked and everything, including my wife. I still don’t know how I got #2 and #3. Luckily I haven’t had it in about a year and a half, but working from home and being an introvert have helped.
I’m curious, how was the severity of your first infection compared to later infections?
The 1st was like a really bad flu. It spread like wildfire though anyone I was in contact with. The 2nd was the worst. Ended up in the ER with worst migraine of my life. 3rd was rough but much easier to deal with, shorter lifespan too.
We can’t even get them anymore in the Netherlands, unless you have bad health and are also eligible for flu shots or are old enough (50+ afaik). I recently checked because I’d rather take another shot than be ill for a week. It kinda sucks but I also do kinda get it. The vaccines were at some point like €30 a piece. Spending that amount plus the infrastructure for everyone isn’t free either. So maybe it’s just not worth the collective cost anymore, for young and healthy people.
Eligible for flu shots? Tf? In the US, almost all shots are 100% free. It’s the most cost effective way to keep people healthy. I thought you guys had healthcare?
We got infected for first time ever last September, were double boosted (so 4 doses in total) prior to that and the new boosters (for the BA strain family) were just coming out at that time which we were planning to take. It hit us bad, Paxlovid helped a lot getting it out. Then we got infected again in December as JA.1 started spreading everywhere but just a mild cold this time. The new strains are just so infectious and by the time the vaccines targeting them are available, most people are already infected.
I’ve had 3 pfizer shots.
So the initial two shots that were a months or so apart and then the refresher 6 months later? You’re basically unvaccinated at this point. No surprise you’re contracting it all the time.
I’m at six shots.
Congratulations! You fell for the subscription plan lmao.
You fell for the subscription plan lmao.
Ah yes, the the subscription plan of free vaccinations in a country with universal health care. Just to be sure, let me check my receipts… yes, all vaccinations free. Covid, influenza flu, everything zero Euro.
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You should still get the boosters because those will both A) help keep you from becoming ill at all, and B) not transmit it to others if you do.
Most other people aren’t in great shape. Wouldn’t you feel bad if you passed it to someone’s cute kid or lovely grandma and they got severely ill as a result?
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You first start spreading, then you start feeling ill - about 2-3 days later. If you left your home within 2 days before noticing symptoms, you’ve been spreading covid.
Quit spreading misinformation. It’s been extremely well documented that the vaccines do not prevent spread whatsoever.
They sure as hell do. Show your sources or GTFO.
- The vaccine trains your immune system to generate antibodies that target the virus
- When you get infected, those antibodies attack right away to keep the virus population low
- With low viral load you literally have fewer viruses to spread to other people
If you’re not vaccinated (or not boosted for the correct variant) then the virus population blooms much more quickly and you get a higher viral load, meaning your coughs and sneezes are quite literally more contagious.
Show yours, I’m not the one spreading bullshit to make myself feel better about a fucking security blanket. https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/science/articles/vaccines-never-prevented-transmission-covid-alex-gutentag
I’m not the one spreading bullshit to make myself feel better about a fucking security blanket.You’re literally doing that with antivaxxing. Holy projection batman.
I think I probably agree with you about the efficacy of the vaccine, but this is a terrible reply to someone who actually provided you some kind of argument.
No, I’m really not.
I started to read that article but it was a lot of charged language, and then when it got to the point about transmission it made the typical argument that they weren’t tested to see if they stopped transmission (the primary goal of the vaccination was to decrease hospitalization and death, so they didn’t test for this). I then realized how long the article was and lost interest. Can you quote the part of the article where they actually make the claim that it did not lower transmission?
Here’s a link to an actual study that claims it reduced transmission.
https://www.bmj.com/content/376/bmj.o298#:~:text=A study2 of covid,transmission by 40-50%25.
Would love to see your source on that.
But even if that’s true (which I have a hard time believing considering the nature of vaccines), it’s been repeatedly proven that the vaccine does dramatically reduce both symptoms and life-ending complications.
How have you managed to avoid 2-3 years of the news mentioning that? It’s why “herd immunity” isn’t a thing for this disease yet, and why it’s still a problem despite the vaccine, and no, there isn’t enough anti vaxxers to explain it. I mean, for gods sake, there was literally ad campaigns imploring people to get the vaccine because transmission occurs regardless.
https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/science/articles/vaccines-never-prevented-transmission-covid-alex-gutentag you can start here, after that, you know the google line. This isn’t conspiracy horseshit.
LOL. Your source is an antivax hit piece, with a single quote about unknown efficacy in 2020 tied behind a whole slew of conspiracy logic.
This is supposed to be painfully obvious?
Dude…
Yeah, sure, just ignore the links and references, pretend google doesn’t exist, pretend you haven’t read anything or watched any tv in 2 years, dude.
The last time I got it was pretty bad though
You know a really effective way to reduce symptoms in case you get sick? Getting vaccinated. Just get your yearly flu and covid vaccination and your symptoms will be much less than without.
Haha only 3? I think I’m up to 5 or 6 at this point. I have a very bad immune system. First time I got it(pre vaccine) I was terribly ill for almost a month. Thanks to the vaccines and boosters, in combo with paxlovid, I usually only have 2-3 days of actively bad symptoms and then another week of mild cold-like symptoms.
Isn’t it really bad for your long-term health to get covid? I haven’t got it yet, which at this point feels like going for a high score
It can be, but it’s not guaranteed.
But covid can absolutely fuck you up for life. It’s been causing autoimmune issues on top of everything else, too.
Also, you might have had it and not known. There are plenty of asymptomatic carriers out there.
Every time you get it, you roll the dice on permanent long-COVID symptoms. That risk doesn’t go away.
Yeah I’ve had long COVID since that first time and it only gets worse each time
I am starting to think I should become a hermit. I’ve avoided it all this time, and have tested regularly.
COVID hit me the second time at my companies christmas party. I almost forgot that it is not a regular flu and covid kindly reminded me of that. I was down and laying in bed for a whole week with fever. Took me two weeks to feel almost back to normal. Got cough 2 to 3 weeks after I recovered. Still a weird illness with even more weird symptoms like skin rashes at fingers and toes. Get well soon.
I just want it has just random abilities that it decides to switch on and off depending on who it infects.
I didn’t get any rashes or anything but on top of the standard flu-like symptoms I couldn’t really remember things with any degree of reliability. And I found it very hard to think logically, I remember staring at my phone and I really could not work out for the life of me how to use it. I knew I should know how to use it but in the moment I couldn’t work it out and I had to give up.
Take care
I actually never got it. I also never taken a test. Ha take that you extroverts with all your … many … friends … someone help me
Didn’t work for me in 2022 😐
The good ol murica approach
How does that work? I’m not even from America
That sucks.
I hope you don’t catch it again. Things will be more tougher in the future as countries being pushed by businesses will downplay this more.
And a good recovery!
Not once here (officially) knocks on wood
I tested positive for the very first time on Thursday. Didn’t even think to test for a couple days of 103°F because of my good luck so far…
Makes me so glad I’m vaccinated. Also a paranoid shut-in.
I got vaccinated too, like 3 times. The first time I got COVID was before the vaccine. Still got infected after but symptoms were more mild and recovery time was way faster. That first time without the vaccines were absolutely brutal.
Don’t worry, third is the charm!
