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 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.
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.
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?
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.
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?
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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.
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.
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.
country/city
#monacoposting
#citystates
Vatican and Singapore?
Uldah, Limsa, or New Gridania. Get your shit together sprout.
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!
You can be flat out immune? Might explain alot on my side, been rocking the dodge build this whole time.
I’m really wondering if I’m immune at this point tbh
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So we’re still rolling the dice as far as getting a bad covid. Yeah, the virus has generally gotten less serious, but it still has the potential to be serious, and it’s still killing lots of people.
So it’s not the same as sneezing.
Not to mention long COVID. Personally know at least 2 people who got it (myocarditis or something? Can’t remember).
Personally know at least 2 people who got it
All with recent booster shots?
I got long covid after 4 timely boosters. It blows that people assume we don’t exist.
I got long covid after 4 timely boosters. It blows that people assume we don’t exist.
I don’t assume that people like you don’t exist, I assume you’re in a tiny minority compared to people who either actively refuse vaccination or are too lazy to make an appointment.
A friend of mine had mild complications after the vaccination. A few days of mild fever. Their conclusion was no never again get vaccinated. Now the sense of smell is gone after an undiagnosed infection with flu-like symptoms a few months ago (because why go to the doctor and get a proper diagnosis and a prescription for Paxlovid…).
I feel for people like you but my friend is a grownup who made their choice.
Yes, I’m very aware of my statistical insignificance that causes everyone to assume I did something to deserve long term consequences of covid. Between the antivaxxers who scowl at me for wearing a mask the rare times i dare be in public, the extreme pro-vaxxers who ask increasingly invasive medical questions to find a reason that I must have done this to myself, society leaving me to rot now they’ve all moved on because the vaccines solved everything, and the doctors telling me they have no strategies for me because there isn’t enough research… I promise that I haven’t forgotten that I’m the tiny and easily dismissable minority, despite my covid-triggered amnesia.
People always remind me of it when I don’t fit their narrative of the irresponsible or gullible fool who bought into the anti-science grift or flouted restrictions. Perhaps it’s because it’s more comforting to remind themselves that it’s improbable that they will also end up as one of the forgotten. At least, for now, until the ridiculously contagious and quickly mutating virus happens to not play nicely with their own latent medical issues and unknown genetic errors.
I’m sorry your friend was deceived by the propaganda that the vaccine was worse than the disease. And I’m sorry that you blame them for being deceived instead of understanding that fear causes people to make poor choices.
I just wanna say I’m sorry to hear about your health troubles. You got a raw deal and I hope you recover.
Yes. One is also a doctor. She got vaccinated earlier than most of us. Same with boosters.
So it’s not the same as sneezing.
That’s why everyone should get yearly booster shots (same with the regular flu).
Has it? The last I heard, the new strains were even more infectious and more dangerous, but people weren’t getting as sick thanks to the vaccines.
But that was before this current strain, which is resistant to boosters from before late September and is the cause of the second highest spike in infections the US has seen, with an estimated 2 million new cases on the 11th alone. Hopefully, this new strain has mutated to be less dangerous than the original, and that’s why it’s resistant to the vaccines/boosters except for the most recent.
Id heard they are more infectious, but I had not heard they are more dangerous.
COVID can cause neurological damage in ways other viruses can’t, and can leave people with permanent symptoms. It’s definitely mildly infuriating to know that our governments have all given up on doing anything about it and have the attitude of just letting people get it when we don’t know all of the long term consequences of COVID.
It’s definitely mildly infuriating to know that our governments have all given up on doing anything about it
Over here in Germany covid vaccinations are now treated like flu vaccinations. Insurance covers the cost but it’s up to the people to make their own appointments at pharmacies or doctors. I have little empathy for people refusing to get boosters and then have to deal with consequences.
Boosters alone aren’t enough to prevent the spread, and people who don’t get the vaccine aren’t the only ones who are at risk of getting sick.
Boosters alone aren’t enough to prevent the spread
Of course not but they vastly reduce the risk of severe complications (I’m not up to date with the latest research but the figure I remember is >90%). Vaccinations boost the immune system, they aren’t impenetrable force fields.
and people who don’t get the vaccine aren’t the only ones who are at risk of getting sick.
For people suffering from more severe symptoms, there is now very good medication available to aid in recovery.
What is your proposed solution?
Mask requirements wherever possible. Especially in businesses where people don’t need to expose their mouths. There is no reason you couldn’t make everyone in a bookstore or on a bus mask up. In addition to mandatory vaccinations (barring legitimate health concerns like allergies) and limiting the amount of people in indoor spaces during high points in the viral spread.
I agree that such measures would help, however… Good luck getting that into law (again, in some places). It’s just not a realistic option.
Yeah and that’s what mildlyinfuriates me
Lmao
If every sneeze was a brain damage dice roll, I bet we’d see this kind of post about sneezing indeed
Weird. I work in hospice. We somewhat regularly get patients signing in because of COVID/COVID effects, but I can’t recall the last time someone signed in because they had “really bad flu.” It’s almost like one is still significantly worse to get.
You may not be an anti vaxer, but you’re still a jerk
This comment is mildly infuriating
You seem quite cross, almost obsessional about this post. Perhaps just ignore and move on. You don’t know anything about the poster’s health, age etc.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Take care
Stay safe. Just one bad case of long-covid will debilitate you for months or years, effectively destroying your life.
