We Finally Got COVID.

[MineralMan]

After three years, five vaccinations, regular masking, and taking all precautions, COVID finally caught up with my wife and I about 10 days ago. We were both feeling a bit under the weather so we took one of the home COVID tests we had on hand. Positive.

So we called our clinic, got virtual appointments and prescriptions for Paxlovid, which we took for the 5 day course. Not many side effects, really. At 77, I felt worse than my wife, who is 10 years younger. The usual fatigue, coughing, a bit of fever, and all that. I laid down for a couple of days, but then returned, more or less, to normal activities, but with less energy. I'm still a little tired, but just got back from a grocery shopping trip, which was uneventful.

Now, about 12 days have passed, and I'm still a little tired, but that's about it.

I'm hearing similar stories from others who missed the pandemic's early days of catching COVID, getting really sick, and recovering very slowly. Both my wife and I tested negative a couple of days ago, and we're back in circulation - still wearing masks in public.

They said the vaccines and boosters would limit COVID's severity and that Paxlovid would help you if you caught it anyway. They were right. We survived with just a little lost time and fatigue. I guess things work out if you follow the advice of the medical experts, eh? Do what the nice people tell you, and you'll probably be OK. Don't listen to the crazy folks.

[jls4561]

1. Glad to hear you're feeling better. May you continue to improve.

[Ocelot II]

2. Which worked the best - bleach, Ivermectin or the internal UV light?

Glad you're feeling better!

[Hekate]

4. You bad

[brush]

3. Get well. We miss your posts.

[niyad]

5. Wishing you both a complete recovery.

[Hekate]

6. Whew. I am really glad to hear you both weathered it so well. May you stay well!

[gab13by13]

7. Glad you weathered the storm,

I don't look at the total when I pay for groceries. Also glad you beat Covid.😊

[Nevilledog]

8. Glad to see you back and feeling better.

[pandr32]

9. Glad to hear you're back up and at it.

[Samrob]

10. Sorry about your illness but glad for your recovery.

Two questions: Were you still masking when you caught it? Do you have any idea where you may have caught it?

[RussBLib]

11. We are still Covid-free

The last two to not catch it in my realm of friends/family/acquaintances.

Glad to hear yours was not very severe. We'll be looking for another booster in another month or two, which will be our 7th.

https://russblib.blogspot.com/

[moreland01]

29. Got our 6th (2nd Bivalent) last week.

No side effects other than a sore arm.

We're the only ones of our friend group that don't attend large indoor gatherings and restaurants. Neither of us has had Covid yet.
And we still mask up in certain places where we feel vulnerable.

But, day by day, we do feel more isolated and left-out. Can't wait for summer fun again!

[wnylib]

41. I didn't know that it was possible to get a second bivalent shot.

Where did you get it? If it was a pharmacy, did they challenge you about getting a second one?

I'm interested because my bivalent shot was 6 months ago.

[orleans]

55. mine was six months ago also

i've read that people were just going to walgreens and getting the second one.

i need to call them (walgreens) and ask b/c i want to get it on spring break

[moreland01]

75. Try different ones

If Walgreens won't, then try Walmart. One of them will. My husband was getting on a 16 hour flight to Guam (24 hours traveling total) and there was no way I was going to let him go without being booster.

Heading to Switzerland in September so we'll be at the Walmart pharmacy again in August.

[wnylib]

76. Thanks.

[moreland01]

74. Walmart

We went to a "Little Clinic" in the local King Sooper's Grocery store and the pharmacist said that we couldn't get one. They were awaiting guidance from the CDC.

Then we drove across the street to Walmart, gave them our vaccination cards and said we'd like another bivalent booster. Not a problem at all. They even gave us anew vax cards because ours were getting filled up and ragged.

[wnylib]

77. Wow. Thanks.

[Walleye]

12. My brother and his wife just got it a couple of weeks ago after three years

For the first time, all Vaxxed and boosted, they had a similar experience to you, sore throat, cough, fatigue, they’re OK now. I’m glad you two are doing well

[hippywife]

13. Watch for rebound after Paxlovid.

Keep testing for a while to make sure.

[Tree Lady]

16. The thing I noticed with friends

who caught covid. If paxlovid completely took it away it tended not to come back but with a friend who was still sick after taking it, she had rebound case a few weeks later.

For me took it completely away and I didn't get back.

[hippywife]

22. I don't know if that's applicable to everyone.

So much else about this pandemic isn't.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

45. That's interesting. Every human different. But I got Paxlovid rebound

I had Paxlovid in me within hours of first symptoms. Worked but virus came back. Overall, just like a lengthy head cold.

Have heard doctors are considering NOT prescribing on day 1, but waiting til day 3, just to avoid rebound.

[Dorian Gray]

70. I've read some theories

about this exact phenomenon. That it seems to work better if you're immune system has been working against the virus. (I guess so if the course of Paxlovid doesn't eradicate your virus, your immune system is prepped to do the rest). But I'm not a doctor or an immunologist, so I'm just totally guessing.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

71. Yes and they think dosages may not be enough for some

people. Interesting that neither husband nor wife in OP had rebound tho

[panader0]

14. Glad you are feeling better MM. Any idea where you got the virus?

[Prairie_Seagull]

17. Second this question.

[MineralMan]

19. No clue.

[Goonch]

63. No clue but.....

Do you have a theory of possibilities or speculation of circumstances or personages or events that may have exposed you? Anything?

[MineralMan]

66. Nope. When I'm out in public I wear a mask.

So, I don't have any idea how I caught it or how my wife caught it. Either of us could have infected the other, too.

[Goonch]

68. If I may ask...😷

specific type of mask (I have a vested interest ;-{)

[MineralMan]

69. That depends on where I'm going and why.

A lot of times, I just wear a surgical mask, if I will not be in close proximity to people. Other times, it's an N95 mask.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

46. I was in same boat as OP and know I got it on an airplane.

I was the only one wearing an N95! In the front, only near about 7 other people.

[Wishful-Thinking]

65. Had the same story as MM but know how we got it

Person we know in our country neighborhood had just come back from a trip to Arizona mineral show. Husband saw him two days after his return and gave him a short ride in our truck without a mask but open windows. That night he called and had tested positive. I immediately isolated in different bedroom and bath from Hub…served him food on a tray to door, etc., he came down with it 3 days later…we stayed isolated and not in same room for 6 days, he took Paxlovid starting on 3rd day. Minor symptoms for Hub, no recurrence and I didn’t get it. Both in our 70’s and fully vaxxed, cautious etc.

[malaise]

15. Damn - glad you're both getting better

[LetMyPeopleVote]

18. I am glad that you are feeling better

[IronLionZion]

20. Hope you feel better soon. I had it last week

it was so mild for me that I thought it was just a cold until I tested positive. These vaccines are powerful and effective. I'm fully recovered.

[AllyCat]

58. I agree. The vaccines work.

We’ve all had the bivalent, been in MANY groups for kids’ sporting events and such, still masking, and I work in a hospital where folks are sick. We’ve not caught it again after last summer. One kid has never gotten it. Kind of amazing medicine, isn’t it?

[IronLionZion]

59. It can be sobering to see the Sorry Antivaxxer website

https://www.sorryantivaxxer.com/

COVID is still killing people who are not vaccinated. But for me, it was just like the common cold.

[AllyCat]

62. 100s of people a day are dying from this in the US.

[Prairie_Seagull]

21. Well wishes to you and yours.

[keopeli]

23. Blessings to you and your wife.

I pray you do not experience the Paxlovid relapse or long covid, both of which have affected my octogenarian parents.

Good health!

[Traildogbob]

24. Been very lucky here

All vaxxes and mask everywhere. Avoid going anywhere except forests with the dogs.
I asked my doctor after having to go to dad’s funeral, Covid, and basically none of the Christian Republican family and acquaintances wore a mask.
Doctor was very reluctant to offer Paxlovid when I asked if that was possible IF I got it. She said you should never mix it with some other meds, like cholesterol and anxiety meds.
Seems like folks here go straight to the Paxlovid with no concerns.
Any thoughts?

[Silver Gaia]

25. We've been lucky so far, too. (Knock on wood!)

But we've taken extraordinary precautions and we live in NorCal where the vax rate is relatively high.

We have similar questions as you about Paxlovid. I've read that you're not supposed to take it if you're on blood pressure meds. Anyone know anything about that?

[beaglelover]

28. My husband is hiv+ and had to stop taking some of his maintenance meds when he took paxlovid.

this was after consulting with his doctor.

[Moostache]

26. Good to hear you're recovering...

Glad you did not get a severe case or face serious issues. I have long ago exhausted my patience with anti-vaxxers and arguing the efficacy of being vaccinated for disease severity and recovery odds.

Myself and my youngest daughter have managed to avoid a positive COVID test thus far, even when all 4 other members of the household were tested positive and had varying symptoms. My wife (51) was vaccinated, double boosted and had about 48 hours of flu-like symptoms and fever, then she made a full recovery in a matter of days. Our children (20, 18, 16) all had positive tests and remained with the mildest symptoms (cough, fatigue, low grade fevers) and were back to good within a weekend.

For my youngest and I, we tested everyday that the infection was in the household and neither of us ever tested positive or came down with symptoms. Everyone in the house was vaccinated at the earliest point possible. None of us had any negative reactions or issues with he initial doses or boosters (aside from injection site tenderness).

My mother was not among the lucky with COVID-19. She was already in a health crisis in 2020, but she had the horrible timing of a disabling fall (destroyed her ankle and lost all mobility) and hospitalization before the vaccines were released and while he disease ran rough shod over the medical field and care providers alike. She pass in November of 2020 and never got the chance to be vaccinated. The hole in our family that remains can never be filled, but when I hear of people who have been saved from the worst potential outcomes, and reflect on how I (a hypertensive, insulin-dependent diabetic with an unhealthy BMI) have benefitted, I really focus my anger on those who try to dissuade people from being vaccinated and taking precautions.

Get well soon MM...I am very happy you are among the number who have been able to beat back COVID.

[mahina]

57. Oh man

[LAS14]

27. Ours is an almost identical story. Hubby isn't quite up to snuff yet, but getting there. nt

[Justice matters.]

30. Good to know you both feel OK.

I had it twice (once in the summer and another in January) and both cases felt pretty much like yours here.

Last week, I had a short scare about "long COVID" in me but after self-testing, turns out it wasn't that.

5 vaccines here, and the last one Bivalent (original + omicron). They worked fine, thanks to Science!

[GoodRaisin]

31. I expect to hear more and more of this now that people are letting their guard down.

Masks have pretty much disappeared where I live now. Most people I know haven’t followed up getting all their boosters. I still mask in public places but not at home so I’m vulnerable to visitors. I stay up to date on all my vaccinations as well, so hope that protection kicks in if/when it hits me so I have only a mild case.

Best of luck getting over yours completely.

[Warpy]

39. We saw only a moderate rise in cases when the masks came off here in NM

but vaccine compliance has been high (over 95% now), so most cases have been mild and not required hospitalization. Now we're getting little upticks now and then, but so far, the risk is low.

I had the main event in March 2020 when nobody knew what we were dealing with. The worst for me were the headache and the loss of taste and smell, neither of which were cited as hallmark symptoms until a couple of months later. The one breakthrough case was 2 days of "oh shit, not again" followed by fast recovery without treatment.

[bluestarone]

32. Thanks for your news here

Glad you both are now Negative again. My wife and i ARE in the same boat you two were in. So far no Covid here. We are BOTH fully vaxxed and fully boosted. We do also wear our masks. I guess it is just a matter of luck? Both in our 70's as well. It all comes down to, we can ALL still get it. Best part is it looks like it will not be as severe, being we're vaxxed and boosted. Well, Good luck to you BOTH!!

[LittleGirl]

33. I had it in June

1st day of summer, sick and positive PCR and home test.
I had one side of my face blocked and couldn’t hear properly for about 5 weeks. I never had the cough that most have. I didn’t have anything but NyQuil or Tylenol. The fever lasted a couple of days. BP was fairly normal. I had trouble sleeping until I couldn’t hear anything then I slept like a log. It was 90 degrees outside and we don’t have a/c. I sweat the fever out.

Glad to hear you’re on the mend. My 28 yr old neighbor got it in December 2020 before the vaccine. Permanently disabled with long covid.

I had a booster in December 2022. I’ll get one yearly.

[FakeNoose]

34. Same thing happened to me at the end of November (after Thanksgiving)

My case was so mild that I didn't even trigger a "positive" on the home test. Honestly I had so few symptoms that I might have missed it entirely, except that I lost my senses of taste and smell for about 5 days. No temperature, no sore throat, but I was hoarse for a few days. Luckily I knew enough to stay home and quarantine, just took it easy for a couple of weeks. It's a lot easier for us retired folks to do that.

I know that the vaccine shots saved me from what could have been a terrible experience. But I also think that the more recent versions of this virus have morphed into lower likelihood of a fatality or a "long Covid" experience.

[AmBlue]

35. Glad you're back

...and feeling better!

[cksmithy]

36. I am glad you are getting and feeling better.

You and your posts are the reason I finally joined DU. My husband and I are 4 & 5 years younger than you. I appreciate your posts, especially the one about how to prepare and what is needed when parents pass away. We are now the parents who are going, who needs to get our affairs in order for our two daughters. Thank you for all of your thoughtful, well informed posts. I know, you said you were not going to post as often or take a break, I will miss your opinions. We still have not got covid, but I basically live like a hermit due to health issues, my husband does the shopping, etc. We always wear masks indoors and sometimes outdoors, depending on crowd size. I'm sorry you both got sick. Take care.

[iluvtennis]

37. So sorry to hear this, BUT happy to hear you/your wife have recovered. Continue to take all of the

precautions because COVID is indeed real.

[mcar]

38. Glad to hear you are on the other side of it

The lingering fatigue is the worst.

[kooth]

40. We all Three Got it on Christmas Day ...

We were vaxxed and boosted, masks and lots of hand washing. Ours was a lot like your symptoms, except for my wife's father (82 when he got it). He was very sick, recovered, then slid all the way into dementia which was where he was headed anyway. He is now in a nursing home awaiting permanent assignment to another facility. I was 67 when I got it, my wife is 59, and we're OK now. I hope you all recover soon!

[Hortensis]

42. Thanks for the helpful report, MM, just sorry it's first person.

Hi to Mrs. MM.

[brewens]

43. We were all supposed to have dropped dead from the vaccine already, so every day is a gift.

[BigmanPigman]

44. I see about two people masked in stores

when I go out these days and I am one of them. It is weird. I am glad you were masked and continue to do so!

[LoisB]

47. I'm sorry it caught up with you and your wife but glad you're on the upside of it now. Continued

healing and good health. Look forward to your next post.

[ahlnord]

48. Minnesota?

As a Minnesotan, I am curious as to whether you are still living in MN. Did you catch covid here? I have a vague recollection that you moved recently. I might need to up my "mask-wearing game"!

[Backseat Driver]

49. Glad for your recovery! AFAIK, we've never had it!

I was missing your posts on Valentine's Week and would have hung a "heart" on your OP. Alas, no luck but I want you to know that we've missed you here and, even if the promotion is over, you are always in my heart. Be mine, Valentine! Best to your wife.

[peggysue2]

50. Thank goodness, you and your wife are pretty much back on your feet

And thank God, that the vaccines and Paxlovid have been available to limit the severity and duration of the infection.

And, of course, do not listen to the crazy people.

Get completely well soon!

[Easterncedar]

51. Take care, MineralMan. You may not see me, but I really value you.

[sinkingfeeling]

52. Watch for the fabled Paxlovid rebound. I got it about 5b days after testing negative.

[IbogaProject]

53. Be mindful of rebound

Just take it easy for another week and be alert for a rebound, even if slight. That can be an issue w that treatment. Wishing you a rapid and complete recovery. And Ymyes you're fortunate to have gotten it now during a lull with all of 3 years tech and knowledge. We had it March , 2020, with little but self care.

[Abolishinist]

54. Same here. I had been bound and determined not to get it, very cautious,

and I'll be damned if 11 days ago I woke up early in the am, both nostrils plugged, high pulse rate and blood pressure. So JUST to eliminate Covid as a cause I took the test and I tested positive. REALLY pizzed me off after being so careful for the last 3 years.

Fortunately, after feeling like crap for 10 hours I started feeling better, back to 90% normal the next day and after that, except for congestion, normal or actually even better than normal, as my isolation in the house kept me away from the refrigerator and no wine. But unfortunately, 6 days later my wife came down with it, so I feel really bad about that. She's doing OK, but not quite the quick recovery I had. Today is the first day I tested negative, so there's that.

The really strange thing is, I haven't known that many people who have had Covid, and yet in the last several weeks there are at least 6 of our friends who have come down with it. Crazy, doesn't add up. Anyway, the best to you and yours!

[orleans]

56. sorry you got it, glad you're doing so good now

nice to see you here again.


(i still haven't had it as far as i know -- so i guess i'm one of those "novids" )

[HipChick]

60. Glad to hear you are feeling better...after dodging for 3 years

caught it myself..vaccinated,boosted and still masking

[Niagara]

61. Happy to hear that you're both recovering well.

I'm sending additional healing vibes to you and Mrs. MM.

[Warpy]

64. People were asking about you here

I suspected some bug had flattened you, glad it wasn't any worse than it was.

[hunter]

67. I picked the virus up at a truck stop in Red Republican California.

Just stopped to pee and pick up a snack. Mask and hand sanitizer were not enough.

If I could do it over again I'd have stopped at some random place on the road and peed there.

Passed the virus on to my wife as well. She missed two weeks of work.

Both of us fully vaccinated. I choose to believe if we were not fully vaccinated it could have been worse.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

72. I had the same experience, but my taste buds took a hit.

Took a couple months for that to come back.

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

73. glad you are getting through it