Covid

[pagey]

Hi can anybody on here explain why when I first got covid in Feb 2020 which was not to bad I then had over time had 2 vaccinations and 2 boosters but now have covid again and it's so much worse than the first time , I just don't understand why

 

[chaser]

Hi can anybody on here explain why when I first got covid in Feb 2020 which was not to bad I then had over time had 2 vaccinations and 2 boosters but now have covid again and it's so much worse than the first time , I just don't understand why

Different variety?

 

[Grianan]

We’re you tested February 2020? We have colleagues returning from skiing Feb 20 who thought they had it but don’t know absolutely as weren’t tested as tests weren’t available then.

I thought I’d had it a couple of times but the time I actually know I had it (May 22) it was vicious - made me think the other times were something else.

Could also be different level of exposure and almost certainly a different variant.

Sorry you’re feeling rough. Took us 5-6 weeks to feel normal again.

 

[pagey]

We’re you tested February 2020? We have colleagues returning from skiing who thought they had it but don’t know absolutely as weren’t tested as tests weren’t available then.
I thought I’d had it a couple of times but the time I actually know I had it it was vicious - made me think the other times were something else.
Could also be different level of exposure and almost certainly a different variant.

No not tested but our doctor assumed

 

[CazPaul]

No not tested but our doctor assumed

It’s a strange one it affects different people in different ways, even if you’re really fit and healthy.

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[ctc]

It’s a strange one it affects different people in different ways, even if you’re really fit and healthy.

Death is one of the side effects, and no vaccine gives 100% protection against any disease.

 

[pappajohn]

The vaccine was to help prevent hospitalisation.
It never was intended to prevent you getting covid.....just make it less lethal

 

[gpat]

Vaccination for things like flu and covid are not the same as for things like measles, mumps, smallpox. There are called sterilising vaccines and last last lifetime normally The effect of covid vaccine or immunity through catching it reduces over time. Yes its also due to different strains which may break through the immunity as well.

 

[berni109]

Covid is a rapidly mutating virus. The Chinese designed it that way so there is no simple cure in order to debilitate large portions of the population who are unable to offer resistance to the invasion. So enough of the conspiracy theory.
After 3 jabs last year I still got it between Christmas and new year and felt very rough for 5 or 6 days. The better half has just brought it back with her from a cruise and I've got it again 6 days so far and still testing positive dont feel as unwell as last time but nevertheless quite unpleasant.

 

[BusyBuilder]

After talking to a friend I now think I have long covid. My symptoms are sñame as he has, palpitations, tight chest, tiredness. Didn't realise till speaking to him.

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[Puddleduck]

I don't know if this is true but a GP told me the "old" vaccines are not very effective against the newer strains of covid.

I am hoping I am eligible for one of the newer vaccines along with my flu jag.

Having ended up in hospital very poorly after contracting covid I pass my sympathies to anyone who is suffering as it can be very nasty indeed.

 

[Poppy and Hamish]

First if all, sorry to hear you have been unwell. There are many many variables that come into play here to answer your question.

1. It's not confirmed that you had COVID in Feb 20, only assumed. It might not have been COVID. Did you get antibody testing when it became available, but prior to vaccine administration?
2. Even if we imagine it was COVID, that was the alpha variant back then, we are now on Omicron BA.4 and BA.5. They have very different profiles and will interact with your own genetics, vulnerabilities and medical history differently. While many many people died with alpha, there were many many people who were asymptomatic as well. I have not heard of an asymptomatic case for a very long time (I work in a clinical setting)
3. Viral load (initial exposure). The higher the level of virus you are exposed to initially impacts the severity of the disease. E.g someone at the other end of a large well ventilated room Vs sitting in a car with someone for 6 hours or someone coughing in your face.
4. Not related to initial suspected infection, but in relation to the more recent one, how long ago you had your booster, and whether that booster was modified for the current variant.

There are more I am sure, but I have COVID myself, and my brain isn't working at it's best! First time catching it. I could ask why, when I managed to last 2.5 years on the NHS frontline without getting it

 

[pagey]

First if all, sorry to hear you have been unwell. There are many many variables that come into play here to answer your question.

1. It's not confirmed that you had COVID in Feb 20, only assumed. It might not have been COVID. Did you get antibody testing when it became available, but prior to vaccine administration?
2. Even if we imagine it was COVID, that was the alpha variant back then, we are now on Omicron BA.4 and BA.5. They have very different profiles and will interact with your own genetics, vulnerabilities and medical history differently. While many many people died with alpha, there were many many people who were asymptomatic as well. I have not heard of an asymptomatic case for a very long time (I work in a clinical setting)
3. Viral load (initial exposure). The higher the level of virus you are exposed to initially impacts the severity of the disease. E.g someone at the other end of a large well ventilated room Vs sitting in a car with someone for 6 hours or someone coughing in your face.
4. Not related to initial suspected infection, but in relation to the more recent one, how long ago you had your booster, and whether that booster was modified for the current variant.

There are more I am sure, but I have COVID myself, and my brain isn't working at it's best! First time catching it. I could ask why, when I managed to last 2.5 years on the NHS frontline without getting it

hi no antibody testing and thanks for your reply and i hope your symptoms ease soon

 

[Poppy and Hamish]

hi no antibody testing and thanks for your reply and i hope your symptoms ease soon

Ah. Many of us (at work, friends in NHS/private healthcare etc) had antibody testing in first summer so we could see if we had had it before testing was available. I’m not sure if it was available to the general public though. I hadn’t had it!

Thanks. Luckily I appear to be on the mend, but the array of symptoms I am cycling through feels like I have had about three different consecutive illnesses (and it’s only day 4!). Luckily I haven’t lost my sense of taste, and everything tastes like the best drink/meal ever

hope you feel better soon too

 

[Poppy and Hamish]

I don't know if this is true but a GP told me the "old" vaccines are not very effective against the newer strains of covid.

I am hoping I am eligible for one of the newer vaccines along with my flu jag.

Having ended up in hospital very poorly after contracting covid I pass my sympathies to anyone who is suffering as it can be very nasty indeed.

Yes, I believe this is true. Well, in terms of breakthrough infections it is, although I believe evidence does suggest that it does reduce severity of illness, which goes beyond the overall the reduction in symptom severity of BA.4 and BA.5 Anyway,

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[SpeedyDux]

After talking to a friend I now think I have long covid. My symptoms are sñame as he has, palpitations, tight chest, tiredness. Didn't realise till speaking to him.

Oh dear, you have my sympathy. Yours are similar to my long covid symptoms. If it gets bad you should get tested to check there is no underlying cardiac disease.

The tight chest or breathing difficulties can reduce your blood oxygen saturation level. Mine has been generally a bit lower since this second bout of Covid. Worth keeping an eye on that with a good pulse oximeter. Do deep breathing exercises if you need to raise the blood oxygen level.

I also get random episodes of very fast pulse (tachycardia) which also brings on more palpitations. Sometimes I wake up with a very fast pulse. Night sweats too. Some random clotting events - this can get scary. Even mystery rashes can be caused by long covid.

You might need to experiment to find out what food or drink triggers your palpitations. I have had to give up caffeine, nuts, chocolate, spicy foods, and cheese, as well as reducing alcohol consumption. I try to avoid excitement and bursts of adrenaline. All of which makes life seem dull and boring. Not much you can really do about long covid chest pain except avoid physical exertions that may be causing it, although moderate exercise helped my recovery and I am doing it again. I assume that you don't have angina, which is more serious. The chest pain should get better as time passes. Hopey helpy.

 

[DumfriesDik]

I know a family of five. Four have had Covid but one not. The one not to get Covid was one of the young identical twins. Same DNA right through as her sister yet she did not get Covid. So many things can not be easily explained.

I hope you get better soon. Best wishes.

 

[SpeedyDux]

Ah. Many of us (at work, friends in NHS/private healthcare etc) had antibody testing in first summer so we could see if we had had it before testing was available. I’m not sure if it was available to the general public though. I hadn’t had it!

Thanks. Luckily I appear to be on the mend, but the array of symptoms I am cycling through feels like I have had about three different consecutive illnesses (and it’s only day 4!). Luckily I haven’t lost my sense of taste, and everything tastes like the best drink/meal ever

hope you feel better soon too

I asked my GP for an antibody test in the summer of 2020 but was refused. I was reasonably sure that I was among the early Covid cases but have never had any proof. As a consequence, all subsequent NHS investigations have ignored the possibility that I was suffering from Covid complications, looking at each symptom individually, even the events that sent me to A&E, as though each one was isolated and unconnected. The NHS is too departmentalised to see the bigger picture or join the dots. My dentist suggested that I might have myocarditis when he considered which kind of local anaesthetic was more suitable for me.

Hope you make a full recovery soon.

 

[WESTY66]

After talking to a friend I now think I have long covid. My symptoms are sñame as he has, palpitations, tight chest, tiredness. Didn't realise till speaking to him.

Me too