I’m sorry, I read too quickly. Hope you feel better soon.

Our son and his wife are returning from a cruise tomorrow morning. I’m hoping they arrive back healthy.

Re: COVID hospitalizations - I understand from reporting that by far, the majority of them are people who are un- or under-vaccinated.

I am so sorry to hear you are down, kswl!! Feel better quickly!

I just listened to a conversation with a long covid expert

https://erictopol.substack.com/p/ziyad-al-aly-illuminating-long-covid#details

My takeaway message is that it is better to never have had Covid, better to have had it only once than twice, and much better to have it only twice than three times. Long term health implications abound with this virus even in people who get over it. I am rethinking our comfort level with precautions now even though we’ve been vaccinated and there is some population immunity. The studies this guy is talking about were all based on data from the veterans admin patients—- millions of people. I had no idea that neurological disorders like Parkinsons were connected in any way with influenza viruses. I was aware that some people with C19 developed diabetes, but did not realize how high the risk is; according to a study conducted at Penn State College of Medicine researchers, COVID-19 survivors have a 66% higher risk of developing type 1 or type 2 diabetes following their diagnosis compared to those not diagnosed with COVID-19. That is significant.

Anyway, not to be Chicken Little but please, everyone, be even a little more careful than you think you need to be.

I developed diabetes and high blood pressure after Covid, and have othe long Covid symptoms as well. It is difficult to say that Covid was the cause just because they developed after, but as you say, there is a growing body of statistics pointing to the possibility.

I’m really sorry to hear that Lucille. The large population studies with millions of cases give a much clearer picture of post Covid problems, as they control for other risk factors.

My blood disease is linked to having had Epstein Barr as a teenager. Lymphoma is more comon in people with history of EBS so I am certain their will be long term effects for many after covid too.

Take care and get better soon!

I'm sorry that you are still dealing with Covid and hope you start feeling better soon.

I am so sorry that you are feeling unwell again. I hope you recover soon. We are masking again because we know so many people who have Covid.

I'm so sorry that you are feeling poorly. I can imagine how disappointed you must be - first you thought you were over it only to have a rebound and now having to miss the funeral. I spoke with a friend yesterday who had Covid and she said that she's been negative for over a week but still feels exhausted and said her taste was still off. I hope you improve quickly!

I'm also wishing you to feel better quickly, and thank you for sharing this information. I was unaware of Covid rebound, but I found some information at this site, which is another woman's experience with it. Maybe you can relate to what she is saying.

I'm very sorry that this happened to you and will be thinking of you.

Aww so sorry to hear this KSWL! Hope you are feeling better each day. I am thrilled to hear that the new vaccine may be available as soon as next week!

We have relatives who had Covid two weeks ago. This is an aunt who is actually in hospice care, her two daughters take turns staying with her, also her sister. The granddaughter had Covid three weeks ago (she is a nurse). Thankfully neither of her twins (2 yrs old) came down with it, although at least one has had it previously. One did come down with strep though. Strep is really going around in our area. The next week the oldest daughter came down with Covid. She had a pretty short case and actually had to still stay with her mother a couple of days, but they masked up and took other precautions. So far, no one else has come down with it. The daughter did tell me that she lost her sense of smell and taste. For the first couple of days she had flu like symptoms but started improving after that. I don't know if her dr recommended Paxlovid (she is 61), but I know she wasn't on it.

Thank you for that link Lars, her experience is very similar to mine and I hope I will be feeling better soon. I do have an autoimmune disease and am consequently on a second round of a different antiviral.

I am now rethinking my planned Halloween getaway, as I really do not want to be in a room with a lot of people again!

So sorry! Get well soon! It's hard to miss these opportunities to see familiy and friends again...

@Kswl my doctor brother told me the same thing about the future health risks after having covid. DH, myself and our son have not had it yet. I once mentioned maybe it was better if we just got it and got over it with already. He quickly put an end to that thinking by telling me the same things you mentioned. And I believe the risks rise the more times you have covid. Which makes me concerned about my daughter and her family. At least some of them have had it multiple times.

It's definitely time to start taking precautions again.

I hope you feel better very quickly.

I hope you're feeling better today. It stinks to not only have it once, but twice! I think we're all starting to rethink precautions and future plans.

Gosh, KSWL, I'm so sorry to hear this. I've actually had Covid THREE times, which is somewhat weird. I have to be really careful because DH is high risK (only has 36% lung capacity), so I continue to mask and we have trimmed our circle to very few people. I've never gotten it whlle home, but I've traveled by myself three times since last fall, and each time, I caught Covid. Because it's such a break for me not to have to mask constantly, I don't while traveling. What strikes me as odd is that even though I've had it three times, I've been almost symptom free each time. The only way I've really known I had it was because since I had traveled I tested before coming back into our home. So, last Oct. I went to upstate NY and got it. In February, I went to Italy, and got it. In July, I went back to upstate NY and got it again. I haven't been particularly worried since I seem to breeze through it, but now after reading your post about the risks of multiple infections, I'm a little nervous....

Nearly every person in my circle (who are all very careful and are vaxed) who has caught Covid19 have done so while traveling by plane. Even though they all masked for their trips, it's been noticed that few others have been masking in airports and on planes for the last year or more. I no longer will gather with anyone who has flown recently until it's been at least 10 days since their return. I am unsure why anyone would feel safer from Covid while traveling and then stop masking. Anecdotally, from what I've observed, people traveling are more at risk of catching it.

I wonder if there are regional variables to the limited herd immunity that may have developed?

Hope you feel better soon, Kswl.

Our travel plans are definitely on hold for the foreseeable future. I did not appreciate the risks of having C19 multiple times until I got it twice myself. Some count rebound C as a separate illness and some as the same. Since I tested negative between the two occurrences I’m calling mine two and taking greater precautions to avoid a third.

My GP told me we would absolutely get it on our river cruise and despite our masking, we did. Now that I really think about it, the ship’s crew was from all over the world and take rolling vacations year round, so we were probably exposed to pathogens from every corner of the globe.

In some clinics at Emory University Hospital, where we mostly receive our tertiary medical care, we are still asked if we have traveled out of the country in the previous two weeks, so Oly I’m guessing there may be something to your question about regional specific herd immunity.

Last week I visited my pulmonologist and asked him about Covid. He said it was interesting to read all the latest scientific findings but that there is still so much more that has yet to be published. He also stressed getting the newest Covid shot as soon as it becomes available along with the annual flu vaccine and RSV.

We're planning a trip soon but have decided to drive for 2 reasons: to avoid crowded conditions in airports and to enjoy the scenery along the way. Neither of us want to sit in a car for an entire day so we'll break it into 2 segments and spend the night at a hotel mid-point. I know it's still somewhat risky so we will have to be careful. But there's the added advantage of packing whatever I want without the limitations of one piece of luggage.

Maire

I've had it twice too kswl. The first time I got it at a funeral, coincidentally. I was so sick.

The second bout wasn't as horrific as the first for me. Except I lost a lot of hair and it's not growing back in.

I have no desire for a 3rd run of it either. It is a wicked illness,

I have not had Covid yet, but DH and I are leaving Saturday for Italy. All the people I know who have had Covid recently had just traveled. So I plan to mask up as much as possible, but accept that I may very likely get it. Wish the new booster had come out a month ago. Hope you test negative soon KSWL, with no after effects.

I've lost count of how many times we are vaxxed (4?) but I asked yesterday at CVS and they won't have the new one in until next week. I have had one very very mild case, my DH,DS and one DD have still never had COVID to their knowledge. My other DD just called us yesterday, she has COVID (her second time) as does her entire friend group in college.

Airplanes, gatherings, schools. This is getting old.

If one's symptoms are mild, should they still take Paxlovid?

Feel better soon, KSWL.

@teeda, are you able to get boosted before you go?

Deleting my post, so the thread isn’t zapped.

Mtn, we could I think. It may not help us for the first leg of the trip but could help on the return. Thanks for the idea!

My son's girlfriend got it for the first time two weeks ago. She flew from California to Boston for a veterinary conference and got it either on the plane or at the conference. She's around different people all day long in her job, but it was travel that finally got her.

I too have noticed that everyone that travels seems to come home with covid.

We were on a cruise this past March. I got sick after we got home (cold, flu symptoms) but I tested negative multiple times. DH was never sick.

A co-worker also traveled at the same time (Ireland) and tested positive when she got home. The weird thing is that she and I had the exact same symptoms -- all the usual plus a ravenous hunger. It was quite annoying. Couldn't I at least lose a pound or two while sick? Nope, could not stop eating. Anyway, she mentioned that she heard the older tests (which is what I had) were not picking up new variants. I have no idea if that's true or not, but I do wonder if I really did have it. Although, again, DH never got sick and I didn't isolate since I tested negative. I guess I'll never know.

We have a trip to Mexico in December. I will 100% be getting the new vaccine and flu shot before we go.

Mtn, people with a mild case who are not in any risk categories are not advised to take Paxlovid. My age (67) and autoimmune disease were the risk factors that determined my treatment.

FYI, I have lost an incredible amount of hair over the past three weeks, dammit!

Knock wood, DH and I to our knowledge have not yet had it. But then again, we haven't traveled ... except for driving or day trips ... since Mar 2020. The majority of cases that I know of are also with people who have traveled. I suspect it's not just exposure to the virus but also the travel itself causes the body stress: not eating regularly, time zone changes, stress around catching flights, changes in water, etc. that weaken the immune system. We've ended up getting sick on or just after a lot of the trips we've taken.

I personally do not want to take Paxlovid unless absolutely necessary. I'm not sure what age is considered high risk, but my MIL had Covid and her dr suggested "toughing it out" rather than taking Paxlovid due to the rebound issue. Plus she was not terribly sick. She had symptoms similar to a bad cold but she is 85 years old. (I thought I posted that before but cannot find it - forgive me if this is a repeat). My husband and I are hoping to get the new vaccine within the next week. Our pharmacy is expecting their delivery of the vaccine at any time. We will be traveling in October and I would love to get the vaccine ASAP. We were told with an earlier dose that it takes approximately 2 weeks to take effect. We will get it (hopefully) and flu shot before traveling. I am even considering pushing our trip back a week, but we will see how soon we can get the covid vaccine. My pharmacy said to call daily to see if they have received it. We have traveled throughout Covid (once the stay at home was over and we had vaccines) taking car trips, not using elevators, masking in certain situations, etc. I know far more people who have come down with Covid due to "group events" rather than traveling. Now that schools (colleges especially) are in session, I am not surprised to see a rise in cases.

Stay safe everyone! Enjoy your trip @teeda!

Just scheduled our boosters for 4:00 today, thank you Mtn.! We will have to pay out of pocket, though, as the insurance companies are not yet covering it here. $199 each. Worth it to us, and hopefully we can get at least partially reimbursed later.

The hair loss has been hard for me too kswl. I don't think I am particularly vain - heck, even in my young days no one would have mistaken me for a model. Ha. I like to think I am above caring about superficial things.....and then I look at my hair and get very, very sad.

I changed my hairstyle and my part, and it conceals the loss. Mostly. :-/

@teeda I'm in a similar situation - we leave for France on Monday. I am eligible for a booster of the old formulation but could get the new updated formulation on Monday morning before I leave. I've not had any adverse effects from previous shots but would hate to have one just as I embark on a trip. I'm so torn!! Are you able to get the new version before you leave?

(I'm working myself up into a minor panic...).

And @Kswl - I hope you are feeling better and the hair loss on top of everything else just sucks.

rubyclaire, yes we are getting the new version this afternoon. I was able to find several appointments in our area. Going to CVS. I am a little concerned about side effects, but have never had more than some aches/fatigue in the past. I'm pretty well set to go so I can take it easy tomorrow and hopefullly will be okay by Saturday night when we fly out. Good luck to you and have a great time!

I would definitely get the new vaccine. if you get the old, or have had covid recently, there is up to a 90 day wait before you can get the new vaccine. At least that is what I read. You might want to verify that with your pharmacy.

So, so sorry you are dealing with a second round of Covid. I just got hit with it a few weeks ago (it felt like a bad cold, but exhausting in comparison to regular colds and lingered with the last symptoms much longer than a regular cold) I can confirm the handfuls of hair that come out, like you pulled a huge clump from one spot in particular, are quite alarming. I hope you feel better soon.

As I recall from prior vacs, it takes two weeks to build up the antibodies.

Yes, they say 7-14 days to build immunity. We'll be gone almost 3 weeks, so I'm hoping it will provide us protection the second half of the trip as well as the flight back. I plan to mask as well.

Wow - I hadn't known about the hair loss symptom. Apparently it can come about after having a high fever.

I hope you feel better really soon.

I've had all the vaxes too, and to my knowledge, have not had covid. I've definitely been eposed to it . I was thinking we were eposed to it twice that I know of but just remembered a third exposure , and who knows how many more times. DH and I have traveled , and pretty much returned to pre covid activity. I hope I am not jinxing us......but in any case, I do hope you feel a lot better.

They are here in my area! We will be getting ours in the next couple of days. i was told that not all insurance carriers will be covering the vaccine. However, I just got through checking with BC/BS and we are covered. We would get one regardless, but I am glad to hear they are covered. You may want to check your pharmacies and see if they have the new vaccine.

DH and I escaped Covid for over 3 years. Vaxed and boosted. If it's the new variant, I'm not sure I'd describe the symptoms as mild. Got it from someone showing no symptoms, then the following day was hit hard. The day after that we were hit hard at the same time.

Kswl. I hope this finds you better. For others, it's real. If it's the new variant, it's quick and efficient in it's attack.

So sorry you had it come back! I hope you are better very soon. 🙏

I had both initial vaccinations and one booster. I had my first case in May ’22 about 5 months after the booster. It wasn’t bad…I only tested bc I had a low fever and I usually don’t get a fever with colds. We hadn’t traveled prior. The second time I got it was Christmas ’22. That was a complete no big deal…just a sore throat and a bit of congestion. Not sure why I even tested…I think I just had all those free tests in my cabinet, lol.

I guess we totally lucked out on our Italy trip this summer. The plane was packed to the gills both ways. Italy was crowded, but we were outside so much, who knows. I guess we were fortunate. I did keep my little air thingy blowing on me the whole time on the plane. 🤷‍♀️

Rubyclaire--we got out boosters Thursday afternoon. Other than the expected soreness at the injection site, neither of us have any side effects. Glad we did it.

It's weird, I haven't even had a cold since getting Covid in Sept 2020. I had a pretty bad case of it-was down for about two weeks, no taste and smell. My DS and DH had it at the same time-asymptomatic. My DH and DS have had a couple of cold-like symptoms since. None of us are vaxxed or wear masks. It's a mystery, it seems. I am religious about taking Vit D.

eta: I did start to lose my hair about 6 months later, bad enough I went to dermatologist-but it grew back quickly.

@teeda - we were able to get the updated shots Thursday night as our local CVS just got a shipment of Pfzier's in. I usually go to our Publix pharmacy but they did not have availability until next week so thank you for the CVS reminder!

Safe travels and have a wonderful trip!

That's great ruby--wishing you all the best as well!