To Vaccinate or Not---The Rat Flu Odyssey Continues

Here are some Covid anecdotes. Ime age is more a factor than healthy lifestyle when it comes to covid. We watched several very healthy but older unvaccinated people die from covid in 21. It seems that obesity was a terrible risk factor for younger people that were unvaccinated. Very few vaccinated people were hospitalized unless they were very old and frail. All my coworkers, mandatory vaccinated, that got covid had attenuated disease like the flu or a bad cold. Some never got symptomatic covid. Alternative treatments like ivermectin had no effect on covid severity or lessened symptoms. We only test people now that are symptomatic. Masking is optional for staff, patients and visitors as of sometime this spring. My opinion is that vaccination works to prevent the spread and severity of covid 19.


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Just checking in after 3 years to say that I finally got covid and spent my birthday flat on the couch with a 102 fever. Balls.

Vibes. I did the same thing for my 40th last spring.

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Originally Posted by John_B

Just checking in after 3 years to say that I finally got covid and spent my birthday flat on the couch with a 102 fever. Balls.

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Hope you feel better soon. If you qualify for treatments, the infectious disease doc (Daniel Griffin) over on TWiV says paxlovid is preferred, remdesivir second, mulnupirivir a distant third. Also advises that you take advice from ID docs, or primary care docs who consult with ID docs. You wouldn't see an infectious disease doc for heart problems, also don't take cardiology advice for infectious disease. And to avoid treatments we know cause harm - many doctors still offer these. A common mistreatment is "wait and see" when paxlovid should be started instead. (for the record, I'm not an ID doc)

For those without active covid, he advises to have a plan. Discuss with your doc so you know which medication you qualify for and how to take it, and how to get the prescription written and filled quickly. E.g. Paxlovid has conflicts with other medications and health conditions, remdesivir is an IV drug. Both work best taken early. If you're under 50 and healthy, then there aren't as any options.

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Originally Posted by John_B

Just checking in after 3 years to say that I finally got covid and spent my birthday flat on the couch with a 102 fever. Balls.

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Gotta be careful around birthdays. Depending on which birthday it is you could cross into a higher risk group and die.

I honestly haven't taken a COVID test in at least 6 months. It fees like outside of meeting up with known high risk individuals we've entered the "don't ask don't test" phase of the post pandemic society. I'm still working from home 95% of the time but that's only because my direct manager also is..

As soon as his boss starts making him work on side 2-3 times a week he's going to make the rest of the team do it. About have of them already are.. But, that's because they have to leave the house to take their kids to school or daycare or whatever anyway.

The argument that it's just the flu seems more accurate post vaccinations.. But, it would be nice if people took the flu more seriously when it comes to testing to confirm and staying home when you know that's what it is (i.e. paid sick levee for everyone NOT VACATION/PTO balance to stay home)... Not likely though..

There's no such thing as just the flu. Full blown influenza is plenty nasty, and it kills people, of course.

There still seems to be a disturbing amount of ignorance regarding exactly what influenza truly is.

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Originally Posted by PB

There still seems to be a disturbing amount of ignorance.

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FIFY

Every time I’ve had the flu as an adult and wasn’t vaxed for the season, it sucked. Big time. Never beyond being sick with high fever for 1+ week at home. (Apparently, influenza can be spread from asymptomatic infections). When I acquired viral bronchitis at my office job, it sucked, even more. That was medically managed. From best of my knowledge, I fully recovered from those infections.

Osterholm made headlines this winter by suggesting the goal of c19 infections twice a year for everybody and all experiencing common cold-like symptoms. He is apparently continuing to suffer from long covid, acquired after he made those statements. He claims to have caught it during an elevator ride.

John_B, I hope you feel better soon

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Originally Posted by old goat

There's no such thing as just the flu. Full blown influenza is plenty nasty, and it kills people, of course.

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Pretty sure everyone my age or older has known someone really well who seemed the picture of good health, got "just the flu" and died from it a week or so later. That's a one in a thousand thing, nothing to sneeze at.. But at first it seemed COVID was a one in a HUNDRED thing, at least for those with certain pre existing conditions...

The point is life is now going on much the same as it was pre COVID. I guess we'll know around May if COVID is still killing more people or if we're back to the flu being the alpha bug. Maybe the fact that some people are still wearing masks will continue to reduce flu deaths.

Also so many people get a common cold that’s a bit worse than what they are used to and they say “ah I must have the flu” - if you get a symptomatic flu you likely will feel like a total bag of shit for a week - it’s not just a runny nose with an occasional cough that you just power through.

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Originally Posted by SumJongGuy

Pretty sure everyone my age or older has known someone really well who seemed the picture of good health, got "just the flu" and died from it a week or so later. That's a one in a thousand thing, nothing to sneeze at.. .

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Sneezing is not a symptom of influenza.

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Originally Posted by bennymac

Also so many people get a common cold that’s a bit worse than what they are used to and they say “ah I must have the flu” - if you get a symptomatic flu you likely will feel like a total bag of shit for a week - it’s not just a runny nose with an occasional cough that you just power through.

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But it can be fairly mild if you’re vaxed, no?

More or less. I've heard recently that some scientists think it depends, like every other disease, on your particular genetic makeup. Makes sense.

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Originally Posted by bodywhomper

But it can be fairly mild if you’re vaxed, no?

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Yes you’re right - but a milder version of flu symptoms (fever, sore throat, headache, fatigue, muscle aches) rather than cold symptoms (runny nose and post nasal drip cough). I’m generalizing here - it’s true there can be overlap.

I got had covid for my birthday too. I wasn’t very hungry all week but when I got a burger and fried to go on my bday it all tasted like vinegar and chemicals. It was fucked up and sucked


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Continuing the gustatory journey, the metal mouth from Paxlovid was a treat.

Only way I knew I had it was Christmas Day 2021 the dog started farting out the rawhide treats she'd been eating. Everyone else cleared the room. I was sitting there next to the dog completely oblivious to the problem.. Wife had gone to the hospital Dec 11th.. We'd all done multiple tests through the 21st. CDC and health department cleared her Dec 22nd so I took off the N95 I had been wearing around her. Doh!

I'm slightly on the mend but felt goddamn awful Sat/Sun with fevers of 102-103. I'm 35 but have exercise induced asthma so figured I'd try to get Paxlovid. So far it's taken 4 calls to the local clinic since this morning before I received a call back and if I am eligible the closest pharmacy that may have have some in stock is an hour drive away. 3 fucking years of this shit and the American medical system can't figure this out a little better!?!

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Originally Posted by John_B

I'm slightly on the mend but felt goddamn awful Sat/Sun with fevers of 102-103. I'm 35 but have exercise induced asthma so figured I'd try to get Paxlovid. So far it's taken 4 calls to the local clinic since this morning before I received a call back and if I am eligible the closest pharmacy that may have have some in stock is an hour drive away. 3 fucking years of this shit and the American medical system can't figure this out a little better!?!

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The American "medical system" is a goddam travesty.

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Originally Posted by John_B

I'm slightly on the mend but felt goddamn awful Sat/Sun with fevers of 102-103. I'm 35 but have exercise induced asthma so figured I'd try to get Paxlovid. So far it's taken 4 calls to the local clinic since this morning before I received a call back and if I am eligible the closest pharmacy that may have have some in stock is an hour drive away. 3 fucking years of this shit and the American medical system can't figure this out a little better!?!

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It's because you didn't get it until the pandemic was already over... It's like going in to do your holiday shopping at 6pm on Christmas Eve. All the merchants are taking down the COVID products and stocking up for Ebola..

I'm mostly kidding of course and sincerely hope you feel better soon. But I do think the testing and paxlovid push has jumped the shark now..

If someone needs paxlovid (as per the recommendations) then they should be able to get it easily same day as their positive covid test. Having hoops to jump through and barriers is not helping anyone.

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Originally Posted by bennymac

If someone needs paxlovid (as per the recommendations) then they should be able to get it easily same day as their positive covid test. Having hoops to jump through and barriers is not helping anyone.

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This^^^^
Got mine the same day as testing positive.

Imma geezer, so OK.

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Originally Posted by bennymac

If someone needs paxlovid (as per the recommendations) then they should be able to get it easily same day as their positive covid test. Having hoops to jump through and barriers is not helping anyone.

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You can. See Test to Treat. https://aspr.hhs.gov/TestToTreat/Pages/default.aspx

COViD 19 hospitalizations still three times that of flu hospitalizations. JAMA April

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...0this%20period.

.

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Originally Posted by SumJongGuy

COViD 19 hospitalizations still three times that of flu hospitalizations.

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Friend died with Covid as a contributing cause 10 days ago. He caught it in hospital.

Friend got COVID at the last Dead show in SF last month. First time getting it and he got worked HARD by it. Also missed out on our annual bike trip to JXN because of it. Fucking dirty hippies will get ya!

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Originally Posted by muted reborn

Friend got COVID at the last Dead show in SF last month. First time getting it and he got worked HARD by it. Also missed out on our annual bike trip to JXN because of it. Fucking dirty hippies will get ya!

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Sucks for your friend. Tell him not to be a dirty hippie. ;)

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Originally Posted by truckeelocal

Friend died with Covid as a contributing cause 10 days ago. He caught it in hospital.

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Fuck. Sorry to hear that. That's a raw deal.

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Originally Posted by truckeelocal

Friend died with Covid as a contributing cause 10 days ago. He caught it in hospital.

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Condolences. That sucks. Local?

"Hospital acquired infection" was already a leading cause of death among people. Gotta think COVID has blown that up even more. Sorry for your friend. This makes me thing that even though I haven't worn a mask in months, when I go to the doc for annual stuff I might just wear one... since that's where the sick people go.. and docs work with them all day all week all year..

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Originally Posted by truckeelocal

Friend died with Covid as a contributing cause 10 days ago. He caught it in hospital.

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my Condolences, truckee-


fifth dose today.
With the Federal Emergency declaration expiring, covid becomes another "commercial" product category ( no kidding - That was the term the medical assistant used > "commercial" . )

so, we'll see If in December, their new strain of 'commercial' vaccine is available, and if I can justify affording it.

Thank you, my friends


my Condolences, truckee- skiJ

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Originally Posted by SumJongGuy

"Hospital acquired infection" was already a leading cause of death among people. Gotta think COVID has blown that up even more. Sorry for your friend. This makes me thing that even though I haven't worn a mask in months, when I go to the doc for annual stuff I might just wear one... since that's where the sick people go.. and docs work with them all day all week all year..

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Long before COVID, I remember taking one of my kids to the doctor and having to drag the other two. One time it finally dawned on me that "this is where snot breathing kids go to hack up Dog knows what and smear it everywhere". My kids were pissed once I no longer let them touch any of the toys in the waiting room.

Condolences, truckeelocal. That sucks.

Condolences TL. Feels like we're entering the ignoring phase.


Separately,

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Originally Posted by old goat

You can. See Test to Treat. https://aspr.hhs.gov/TestToTreat/Pages/default.aspx

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Was this a joke? My detector is due for replacement.

Website offers a data sheet that links the site and the locator needs a 70 mile radius to turn up 1 possible option--if they have unreported inventory and if they offer it to civilians. I think I might reach out to Splat first.

Not a joke. The availability obviously depends on where you live, but that's true about health care in general. One of the big downsides of living in the country. (And living in this country but that's another story.) You have to have a pharmacist willing to do it and I think for the most part it's being offered by the big drugstore chains, not mom and pop shops.

Only 70 miles jono? I have to go to Portland - like 175 miles - for test-treat clinic.
There’s also a telehealth option here - maybe show them your Covid test on Zoom and they send a scrip for Paxlovid to local pharmacy? I can do the same with my doc.

Ms TBS took Paxlovid for Covid last year. Didn’t seem to make a big difference- she was still bigly sick at the end of the course. She also said it makes everything you eat tastes like you’re licking an ashtray.

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Originally Posted by old goat

Not a joke. The availability obviously depends on where you live, but that's true about health care in general. One of the big downsides of living in the country. (And living in this country but that's another story.) You have to have a pharmacist willing to do it and I think for the most part it's being offered by the big drugstore chains, not mom and pop shops.

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I guess what I found funny was the idea that this program addresses blue benny's assertion that "If someone needs paxlovid (as per the recommendations) then they should be able to get it easily same day as their positive covid test." Maybe it was the "you" that threw me off.

Doesn't look like any of their literature is less than a year old, though. Maybe the program had better reach a year ago--or it just didn't need so much reach when testing was easily covered in more places. My wife got Paxlovid around that timeframe but this spring that wasn't possible. Rural is a factor but there are at least 5 hospitals between me and the nearest site in the locator. Which seems more easily explained by the program going zombie--entering an urban zip the locator turns up lots of CVS pharmacies but they haven't reported inventory in 2 weeks, either.

Don't get me wrong, it seems like a great plan. Beautiful plumage.

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Originally Posted by TBS

Only 70 miles jono? I have to go to Portland - like 175 miles - for test-treat clinic.
There’s also a telehealth option here - maybe show them your Covid test on Zoom and they send a scrip for Paxlovid to local pharmacy? I can do the same with my doc.

Ms TBS took Paxlovid for Covid last year. Didn’t seem to make a big difference- she was still bigly sick at the end of the course. She also said it makes everything you eat tastes like you’re licking an ashtray.

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Yeah, mouthful of pennies was the report I got. And she got a rebound, but I think I got one of those even without it this spring, so who knows? The 70 miles may only be true if you can get through the gate at the air force base, so...Portland or Seattle might be my closest in reality, too. I do expect everything but the test is actually feasible, though. That first step is a doozy.