OT: Covid alive and still going this Summer.

The CDC sees signs of a late summer COVID wave
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/07/28/1190443473/the-cdc-sees-signs-of-a-late-summer-covid-wave

"The amount of coronavirus being detected in wastewater, the percentage of people testing positive for the virus and the number of people seeking care for COVID-19 at emergency rooms all started increasing in early July, Jackson says."

Thanks for the reminder, Jack. And I saw Jerry back in the 80s in Athens, Ga. My face hurt from laughing so hard.
Michael

Jack, sorry about your COVID adventure but your story is a good reminder that this isn't over...and may never be. I'm hearing of a lot of folks getting it lately; it seems much more prevalent that a few months ago so I'm thinking we are starting some sort of spike. Most of the older folks I know who get it also choose to take Paxlovid and I know of no deaths or serious illnesses even though I'm in SWFL, i.e. Heaven's Waiting Room.

Jim

So as we speak, my son and I just tested positive. We are actually far from home on vacation, and to get home requires a plane ride.

Mild symptoms thus far for both of us. I am already having hot flushes/fatigue since I am on ADT but something felt a little off. He was testing because one of his friends came down with it just before we left for vacation.

So we were on the lookout as it were.

So i went to the home depot and picked up some n95 masks. We will get our hands on some more covid tests (my wife is so far fine) and one of those oxygen meters you put on your finger.

A bit of a quandary, do we bolt for home or enjoy everything the Marriot here provides? We have one of those two bedroom “suites” so we can separate somewhat but its hard to imagine doing this for a week. Its been just a few hours and I am already antsy.

We did telehealth appointments and i have a prescription waiting for Paxlovid at a local pharmacy, but was warned against taking it with Lipitor, so I will get it today and hold off starting until tomorrow (the half life of Lipitor is 14 hours). They did not prescribe anything for my son as he is young and his only symptom is a scratchy throat.

So maybe I start the regimen, lower my viral load, then bolt.

Remember when it comes to covid there are two types of people…..those who have had it and those who will get it.

The telehealth dr noticed i have pca and he gave me some encouraging words. That was a nice touch.

Jack64 said...
She took care of me yesterday. I am returning the favor today.

In sickness and in health! Bravo

Thank you Cyclone. Today is Sunday and I am now 4 days in. I still tested positive this morning but I feel fine. A little tired but honestly its indistinguishable from adt/xtandi.

It has been mild. My worst case fever was 100. That came and went within just 12 hours Wednesday night into Thursday. I started Paxlovid Thursday night. My wife picked up one of those oxygen sensors you stick on your finger and my readings have been in the mid 90s.

I have been getting 10,000 steps a day even with this without any problem, although on Thursday it was monotonous. I was stuck in a hotel room and my route was 20 steps across the room and back but my 10000 step/day streak is intact everyday since mid June of 2022!

So far my wife has tested negative and feels fine. My son is also doing well.

We made it home last night.

Cyclone, thanks for checking up and the well wishes. I am on my last day of Paxlovid and my wife is one day behind. I have read posts here about having brain fog while on ADT, I never experienced that while on Orgovyx. I now know what that is like on Paxlovid. Other than a slight upset stomach, I feel I am walking around in a cloud. My energy is fine and I continue to do my daily routine. My wife feels the same, however she developed what is called Paxlovid mouth after the first dose. It affects just 6% of those taking the medication and It has been horrible for her. She told me it was like,”French kissing a skunk.” Every time she takes a new dose it comes back strong and lasts all day. She has to constantly chew on gum or have strong tasting hard candy to counter the taste.
We are hoping we don’t have a rebound of Covid a week from now as some have had. In any case Paxlovid is keeping Covid symptoms in check. Thanks again for checking in.

Stephen, it is good to hear you and your son are also recovering. My best wishes to both of you.
Jack

Jack, Stephen, best wishes for a speedy recovery
I'll add my anecdotal story .....
Last Sunday, my grandson came down with a low grade fever, he is 20 months old. My daughter didn't think much of it, because little kids, especially ones that go to day care, get fevers all the time, and he was acting ok. The next day (Monday) it was gone and he was fine. On Tuesday, my daughter has fever and felt crappy. So she went to urgent care, and among other things they did a rapid test - COVID POSITIVE. She asked about Paxlovid and the Dr said no, because she is only 40 and not high risk, and there could be a rebound affect. She went home and tested my grandson, and lo and behold, he is positive.
That night, she did not sleep at all. Maybe an hour, because she couldn't stop coughing. This is her second bout of COVID, she had it a year ago. So she did a televideo appt with urgent care, hoping to get something for the cough. They ended up prescribing paxlovid, and after two days she was much improved, hopefully it stays that way. My grandson still has a runny nose and is hoarse but that's it. They are both still testing positive though as of today.
Sucks, but yes, this is never going away.
I have coronary artery disease with a heavy plaque load, and I was on the American Heart Association website yesterday and watched a 2 minute video about how covid gets into your endothelial cells, which I am linking to below. It terrifies me. People are acting like its nothing any more, and for many, its a big mistake.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7_r6zzysbo

I found out a few weeks ago that the Eagles (band , not football) are doing a farewell tour, and in the heat of the moment, I bought tickets on pre-sale. Haven't been to a concert since before COVID. Now I am having second thoughts and put them up for sale on Ticketmaster. UGH. I'm obsessed with them, and have seen them at least 8-10 times in the last decade though, so whatever. Not worth the risk, I still have not gotten COVID, and I am high risk for severe disease if I do get it.

Best wishes for all of you with COVID and those who are waiting to see if the other shoe will drop. I'm in that latter position right now as my husband tested positive on Friday night. It's really unbelievable that he went so long without getting it and then got it twice in just over three months. He is feeling pretty good and is going to skip Paxlovid this time.

For those with Paxlovid mouth, I found that gargling with mouthwash was the only thing that helped. The taste was so bad that it would wake me up at night. Like something had died in my mouth plus the bitter taste of chewed up vitamins. My husband preferred to chew on peppermints.

By the way, I got COVID last year while we were traveling and opted to stay in our hotel rather than fly home. Like you, Stephen, I continued to do my daily steps. And, yes. It was very monotonous.

Melanie, speedy recovery to your husband
Jack, thanks. Kills me to miss the concert. But I still plan to sell the tickets

A speedy and full recovery to all of you who are fighting a Covid infection! I take strict precautions primarily because we don't know the long term after effects of a Covid infection--Long Covid, anyone? I'm fully vaxxed and boostered, but as someone who is old and has had prostate cancer, I'm playing it safer than most. So far, No Covid.

"French kissing a skunk"--hope to pass on that! Get well!