As I explained in an earlier post, my partner and I have both had Covid-19 after three and a half years of avoiding catching it1. While we were both very ill with the virus, but have recovered fairly quickly and despite still giving positive RAT results up until a few days ago, felt almost back to normal. My partner gave her first negative RAT result after infection on her day 8 (last Monday), while mine was on my day 10 (yesterday, Friday). The difference was possibly due to the fact that she had been on antiviral drugs.
Despite both now giving negative results, we still both have symptoms, which mostly consist of a runny nose and an intermittent dry cough. Fortunately, we have not suffered any of the other symptoms associated with Long Covid, which can be debilitating. These symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, ‘brain fog’ (memory and concentration problems), heart palpitations, loss of senses of taste and smell, joint and muscle pain, dizziness, headaches, nausea, and can last for many months. Long Covid is more likely to occur in people who are unvaccinated, have suffered severe illness with Covid-19, or have underlying conditions such as high blood pressure, chronic lung disease, diabetes or obesity2.
The best way to avoid Long Covid is to avoid being infected, and keeping up to date with your Covid-19 vaccinations. With the latter, we have done just that; having had the full quota of 5 vaccinations (i.e. 2xAstrazeneca; 2xPfizer; 1xBA4/5 Pfizer), with the most recent one, the BA4/5 Pfizer, being stuck in my arm in late March. It was supposedly tweaked to deal with two of the most common variants (Omicron BA.4, BA.5), which spread widely in the second half of 20223.
Now, a new variant of the Omicron family (EG.5) has appeared and is spreading widely in the US such that it is causing about 17% of new cases and is associated with an increase in the overall number of cases and an increase in hospitalisations. However, the new variant may not be the cause of these increases. It may be that the cause is the northern hemisphere heat, which is forcing people indoors, such that the virus spreads more easily4. In addition to keeping our vaccination status up to date, we will keep wearing our masks when we go to the supermarket or any other indoor public area, in the hope that we can avoid contracting this virus ever again. I recommend doing the same.
Sources
I am glad you are recovered(ing). Our household has yet to experience covid. Not sure completely why but most of our family members have also avoided it so far. We have all been fully vaccinated but I think, at least as far as Mrs Dougall and I are concerned, mainly it is because we are not people who particularly enjoy going to social functions, or, in fact, anywhere where there are a lot of people. Mind you one close relative, who is also no social butterfly, has had it three times, and been hospitalised twice.
Mark,
Glad to hear you haven’t had it. I can highly recommend NOT getting this bloody virus. Having to be hospitalised twice from repeated doses sounds terrifying.