Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #109

[Gypsy Road]

May I ask, had you had Covid at that point before you got your vax?

Yes, I got Covid beginning of summer 2020. It was a mild case. I have a heart valve issue and an autoimmune issue, but I’m healthy otherwise - but I wanted to know more about how the vaccine might impact my health issue. I had a bad reaction to Flu-bIoc a few months before. I asked a lot of questions as I’m not usually one who takes meds before I do my research. I bothered all my doctor and nurse friends with questions constantly. My doctor answered all the questions I had too, and I finally got vaccinated last year. We thought that I may only be able to tolerate one dose, but I didn’t have bad side effects and I was able to get my second dose and a booster.

 

[anneg]

Me and my husband have (finally) decided to get the vaccine. He had it severely and is a Long Hauler experiencing lingering symptoms. I however only had a very mild case but am now experiencing some of the after effects.

With all the chatter about the B5 strain we are concerned which is why we have decided to get the vaccination.

My question is what vaccine in your opinion is the best one (and why)?

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are similarly effective in protecting people from serious illness, hospitalization, and death from Covid. I got Pfizer for my first two shots, then a Pfizer booster in October, and in May I chose to have Moderna for my second booster to change things up a little bit.

 

[anneg]

GMA had a physician whose research on the oximeter use on black and brown individuals and the results are not as accurate.

Here is a recent article about this:
When it comes to darker skin, pulse oximeters fall short

 

[anneg]

I’m much better myself, thank you. Mr HKP is day three of steroids today. Woke up (just gone 8am here) needing his blue inhaler. We’re hoping the steroids start helping today, he’s not getting worse but just not noticeably better yet.

I'm glad you to hear you are much better! I hope Mr HKP will improve soon with the steroid treatment.

 

[anneg]

I've been following on and off, mainly on right now because COVID has managed to find me. I had an elderly neighbor that fell so we called 911. I followed in my car and as soon as I entered the ER (with K95) I knew I was in trouble. It was packed with very sick people. After sitting with my neighbor for 5 hours, nursed told me he had tested positive for COVID. So Monday I tested positive. I have never had a headache like this. I have RA so doctor told me to go to ER for iv monoclonal iv. I had called ER asking about best time to go and they indicated 5-7 a.m. Got there are 4. The monoclonal iv dropped my bp like crazy, bottom number was 30. They finally got it back up to 45 but man I'm like a limp cloth. Anyway thanks for letting me share my COVID tale. Best wishes for those feeling ill, I'd say try to stay well for the rest of you but this variant is pretty cunning. Sigh

I'm sorry to hear you got Covid and had such a scary experience when you were given the antibody treatment. I hope you'll be feeling much better soon!

 

[weepingangel]

I only check this randomly now. But noticed deaths have gone up from
the plateau of around 300 a day

 

[HongKongPhooey]

I'm glad you to hear you are much better! I hope Mr HKP will improve soon with the steroid treatment.

Thank you Anneg. It’s just before 6am here and we’ve been awake a while, he is coughing but said he feels better. Didn’t need his blue inhaler last night for the first time since last week. I’m hopeful he is on the right track.

Other than his asthma, he is healthy. Mid 50s, takes no meds other than inhaler. Anyone debating on vaccines and boosters - this variant is not to be messed with IMO.

 

[ilovepierre]

May I ask, had you had Covid at that point before you got your vax?

The first two times I got COVID, I wasn’t vaxxed. Vaccines weren’t available yet in March 2020 and in in January 2021, vaccines might have just started to roll out, but they were only offered to a select population of people. When I got COVID a third time (January 2022), I had just gotten my first booster a week or so prior.

 

[jjenny]

is the Moderna 2nd booster still a half dose?

Yes it's a half dose.

 

[ilovewings]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/07/13/ba5-omicron-variant-living-with-covid/

Not sure if this is behind a paywall-- basically the article states we have to learn to live with Covid in our lives----it is going to be here for the forseeable future---- each person has to decide what risks you are willing to take and what precautions, if any, you wish to take ----From the tone of the article, it sounds like the experts believe most of us will contract this virus-- for most people-- it will be like a nasty cold- for those of us who are vulnerable, we must make sure we are vaccinated, boosted and at times, masked and be a little more careful than a healthy younger person. There is no expectation of masking mandates, lockdowns, etc.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/07/13/ba5-omicron-variant-living-with-covid/

 

[Teche]

Here is a recent article about this:
When it comes to darker skin, pulse oximeters fall short

Thank you for finding this article.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Your 5 biggest questions about Covid boosters, answered

Updated vaccines targeting BA.4 and BA.5 are expected in the fall, but doctors still overwhelmingly encourage those who are eligible to get booster shots now.

www.nbcnews.com

As Covid cases and hospitalizations rise nationwide, the message from federal health officials about boosters is clear: Don’t wait to get the shot. If you're eligible, get it immediately.

"The threat to you is now," Dr. Anthony Fauci, the chief medical adviser to President Joe Biden, said at a media briefing Tuesday. "Getting vaccinated now will protect you now."

But sorting through who specifically is eligible, how many shots people need and when they need them has confounded many.

What's more, new versions of the vaccines are in the works that aim to specifically target the omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5. But those shots aren’t expected until this fall — leading to questions about whether people should get boosters now, or simply wait.

Here's what to know about Covid boosters...

 

[WichitaFalls]

I'm sorry to hear you got Covid and had such a scary experience when you were given the antibody treatment. I hope you'll be feeling much better soon!

Thank you @anneg, I would get the iv again if I needed it. I can feel myself slowly improving since being at the ER. The blood pressure drop while unexpected, resolved on its own within an hour or so.

 

[Yesiamapirate]

Your 5 biggest questions about Covid boosters, answered

Updated vaccines targeting BA.4 and BA.5 are expected in the fall, but doctors still overwhelmingly encourage those who are eligible to get booster shots now.

www.nbcnews.com

As Covid cases and hospitalizations rise nationwide, the message from federal health officials about boosters is clear: Don’t wait to get the shot. If you're eligible, get it immediately.

"The threat to you is now," Dr. Anthony Fauci, the chief medical adviser to President Joe Biden, said at a media briefing Tuesday. "Getting vaccinated now will protect you now."
But sorting through who specifically is eligible, how many shots people need and when they need them has confounded many.

What's more, new versions of the vaccines are in the works that aim to specifically target the omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5. But those shots aren’t expected until this fall — leading to questions about whether people should get boosters now, or simply wait.

Here's what to know about Covid boosters...

Thanks for sharing this article, @BetteDavisEyes. COVID is really circling all around me. One of my good friends got a positive test today. As luck would have it, at the last minute she backed out of joining us this past Sunday for drinks and dinner.
I am really considering a second booster. We leave for vacation in a week so I may not be able to get in before but I can try.

 

[anneg]

Thank you @anneg, I would get the iv again if I needed it. I can feel myself slowly improving since being at the ER. The blood pressure drop while unexpected, resolved on its own within an hour or so.

May I ask which antibody treatment you got? Was it bebtelovimab? I believe that is the one being used these days.

 

[ilovewings]

Thanks for sharing this article, @BetteDavisEyes. COVID is really circling all around me. One of my good friends got a positive test today. As luck would have it, at the last minute she backed out of joining us this past Sunday for drinks and dinner.
I am really considering a second booster. We leave for vacation in a week so I may not be able to get in before but I can try.

Cant you just go to your local pharmacy to get that booster? My plan is to go to Rite Aid early next week

 

[Sundog]

Cant you just go to your local pharmacy to get that booster? My plan is to go to Rite Aid early next week

I think that we have to factor in the possible side effects of the booster as well, when planning for whate date we get the booster, just in case for 48 hours or so a person is having side effects that aren't major, but interfere with getting things done.

 

[WichitaFalls]

May I ask which antibody treatment you got? Was it bebtelovimab? I believe that is the one being used these days.

@anneg, yes it was Bebtelovimab. I would take it again if needed. I am leaps and bounds better in 24-36 hours after my infusion. I did a quick check online to see if diastolic pressure drop was a side effect but didn't see much. I'm moving in a much better direction and MOO monoclonal antibodies is a big reason why.

 

[Teche]

Cant you just go to your local pharmacy to get that booster? My plan is to go to Rite Aid early next week

Walgreens, CVS, and Costco still provide vaccines.

 

[Yesiamapirate]

I think that we have to factor in the possible side effects of the booster as well, when planning for whate date we get the booster, just in case for 48 hours or so a person is having side effects that aren't major, but interfere with getting things done.

That is just it. I need 48 hours for the side effects. The last three vaccines I really reacted to. Fever, aches. Etc. of course better than full blown COVID but I really need to do it when I can take a day or two off work. And not so close to vacation.