The Coronavirus Discussion Thread.

I reckon that I might have contacted covid which kicked in on Thursday.

You don’t need to shell out on tests. We could tell by the change in your posting style that something was wrong. Luckily we have your whole-hearted endorsement of Sunak on record for the future. 🙂

Get well soon…

Well there is obviously a joke  somewhere there ^^ but it is lost on me!

I have to admit that the general election thread did help me to do two things during peak symptoms on Thursday. Firstly it provided me with an entertaining alternative to my usual Thursday evening qiqong class. And secondly the interaction with binners distracted me from my symptoms. I remember thinking at the time “it’s true what they say, laughter is the best medicine” 😀

Yesterday was my first post Covid bike ride – 6km exploring around Gargunnock. Good to be back and after over 3 months I had not forgotten how to do it, even had a good landing OTB.   Unfortunately it got me rather badly with horrible complications but on the mend.   Where did the muscles go?

Best wishes and hopes of a speedy recovery to those caught this time around.

It is back it seems….

I have a couple of our team at work (distributed around the UK), local relatives, and now our own house with it…gah!

The boffins had a jolly good go at stopping Covid, but it seems it may be time to acknowledge that this particular jab hasn’t really been very effective at all…

My understanding was the Jab was never intended to stop it, was to lessen the severity which it has done by the looks of things as we haven’t got the same number of people dieing from it.

We have had managed to avoid it till now, had it for the first time last week.

This particular jab was never intended to prevent transmission entirely, or wipe out the virus, which is impossible. It’s currently there to reduce the severity of symptoms in those most vulnerable to the illness, preventing death or serious complications. At the height of the pandemic, it was given more widely to reduce transmission as much as possible (in variants with lower transmission rates) and, by mitigating disease severity, lower the number of people who required hospital care, at a time when there was almost overwhelming pressure on health systems.

Just to clarify – had managed to avoid catching Covid. Had the jabs when offered.

Certainly going round again, lots of people seem to either have it, confirmed by test, or something like it.

Dug out a test kit we have left last week but apparently I only had manflu.

but it seems it may be time to acknowledge that this particular jab hasn’t really been very effective at all…

Some vaccines do offer immunity (in most cases) such as smallpox or measles whereas others will offer something between full immunity and just lessening of the symptoms. In the latter case its often down to how much the virus evolves and when it does whether it can still be identified by the antibodies.

For example the flu vaccine is really multiple vaccines. Twice a year the scientists look at what strains are dominant in the winter of the northern/southern hemisphere and then prepare a vaccine covering what they think will be the top 5 or so strains for the other hemisphere.  Hence why its efficiency varies wildly year to year depending on whether the predictions are right. Since if a different strain is dominant then the immune response may be far less effective.

Unfortunately covid 19 also falls into this type.

I’m now old enough for another jab. I’ll be taking it, despite (as far as I know) never having had covid..

The boffins had a jolly good go at stopping Covid, but it seems it may be time to acknowledge that this particular jab hasn’t really been very effective at all…

‘Yes, the chaps were beavering away in their boffin bunkers, but after the triumphal development of wheezes like the bouncing bomb, the lunar lander and James Dyson, not to mention the internet, they jolly well fell short when it came to creating a vaccine capable to providing 100% protection from a constantly mutating virus. We say bobbins to boffins, etc’

– The Daily STW

‘

I’m now old enough for another jab

Anyone can have one now privately. Costs about 80 quid

I’m still interested in whether being exposed but not testing positive boosts Immunity. Ie my other half had it a month or so ago. No isolation for me, never got it. I’ve had it twice already. I assume that my immune system fought it off, but at same time would have got a wee boost from exposure

https://news.sky.com/story/bird-flu-may-be-evolving-under-the-radar-scientists-say-13221104

I’m now old enough for another jab. I’ll be taking it, despite (as far as I know) never having had covid..

And now I’ve got Covid, which is annoying both because I’ve broken my otherwise clean record, and now I can’t have the jab. Assuming I recover, does having had it confer as much protection as the jab?

Assuming I recover, does having had it confer as much protection as the jab?

Generally, no.

Generally, no.

Thanks. However, I’ve just checked and the guidance has changed – used to say you couldn’t have the jab if you’ve had COVID in the last 6 weeks – now it says that as long as you’ve recovered there’s no need to wait.

In the end stages of recovering from something that tested positive for COVID, but felt way worse than last times. Came on with a vengeance last week. Will hopefully manage a nights sleep without waking up in a puddle of sweat several times a night.

And some unholy colours of fluids coming out of my nose.

getting PTSD seeing this thread pop up, nearly 40k posts…..dark times.

Im still pretending its all gone away, it clearly hasnt 🙁

UKHSA maintaining their data dashboard. No it hasn’t gone away. Deaths mentioning Covid are likely to be an accurate reflection of the underlying morbidity/mortality since such patients are likely to have tested positive. you can see the bump over the summer. Deep sequencing has been paused, but of course the virus will be evolving. As a former part-evokutionary biologist at heart, I’m of the opinion that vaccination pushes that evolution of the virus  ?In fact any virus, but sars-cov-2 seems particularly pliant.

https://ukhsa-dashboard.data.gov.uk/topics/covid-19

on the positive side, I’m back training after post viral fatigue. Still no smell of course. Four and a half years, I guess it’s not coming back.

Got it for the first time about 4 weeks ago, bit rough and tested positive for 8 days.

Still no smell of course. Four and a half years, I guess it’s not coming back.

Sorry to hear that. Have you been doing regular olfactory training throughout that period?

Got it for the first time about 4 weeks ago,

Interesting in that if you are an old man (no offence!) it’s got my Dad eventually at nearly 80. It’s been a sod too, despite him being jabbed. And I know Amazon is evil blah blah but the ability to deliver strepsils and other making-life-easier supplies the same or next day to a person that lives 300 miles away from me, is incredible.

Covid On The Rise… says cheery Grauniad article:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/26/covid-on-the-rise-as-experts-say-england-has-capitulated-to-the-virus

I feel mildly doomed. We’re having our bathroom converted into some sort of de luxe bathing salon ensemble and there is a constant stream of tradesmen wandering through the house coughing a lot, mostly I suspect because of the dust. I’m putting my faith in evasion tactics, a good excuse to get out on the bike, and First Defence. After my 18-month dice with long covid, I really, really don’t want to go there again.

I still don’t understand why we seem to reluctant to vaccinate people under the age of about 90. It seems like false economy given the impact of long covid and seriously unwell people both on the economy and the NHS.

It’s also irksome that sourcing the vaccine privately via Boots for example, costs a whopping £100 or so.

Sorry to hear that. Have you been doing regular olfactory training throughout that period?

I sniff citrus daily. But not the other training. And of course the fish and scampi dog treats that had no effect even with the “nose in the bag” method. The same outcome was not true for the dog!

Personally I’d like a triple flu/covid/RSV vaccine annually and would pay for it. Combined flu/COVID vaccines are coming. Not this year.

Ah, that‘s a shame. Our youngest is booked in for flu&Covid together, didn’t realise it was still two separate jabs.

Youngest might get flumist sprayed up the nose. Combined mRNA flu and COVID vaccines have passed Phase 3 trials but are not yet approved. Protection agains influenza B has not been forthcoming in the combined vaccine – Remember, beware the dreaded Pharma X provides “update” on Y press release…But Moderna may have cracked it with B/Victoria:

The immune responses from a single dose of mRNA-1083 were found to be non-inferior versus the co-administered, routinely recommended, licensed comparators. In both age cohorts, mRNA-1083 also elicited statistically significantly higher immune responses against three influenza virus strains (H1N1, H3N2, and B/Victoria) and against SARS-CoV-2.

Next year will likely see combined protection and possible Influenza B protection as well. I’ll still be too young (just). Might be ready when I am!

I sniff citrus daily

I believe that it has to be the most pungent smell possible. I became obsessed when I completely lost my sense of smell due to covid with getting it back, luckily I didn’t feel particularly ill so I spent my time constantly trying smell training. I focused a lot on the Vicks vapour rub tub, sticking my face into the ground coffee container, and sniffing essential oils such as lavender.

I remember the first tiny hint of a whiff of something, it was like hearing an extremely faint sound of someone shouting in otherwise total silence and stillness. As it slowly returned it got louder and louder. Ironically I actually believe that my sense of smell is now more acute than it was before I caught covid, which makes no sense to me. I now regularly comment on smells which other people don’t pick up.

I suspect that the longer you are without your sense of smell the more olfactory training it will require to get back, but I don’t know that if after a certain period of not having your sense of smell it proves that the damage done by the virus is irreversible. Anyway I hope you eventually get at least some of it back.

Interesting in that if you are an old man

I’m enjoying my first bout at 65. I think slowoldman is a bit older though.

I suspect that the longer you are without your sense of smell the more olfactory training it will require to get back,

Well I get chronic inflammatory sinus pain with the slightest hint of an immune reaction (e.g., post exercise). I think the damage was done to the nasal passages and sinuses and there is no going back. Taste does return after each infection. Vicks has no effect, nor does fresh lavender or rosemary. I have yet to order my sunflower lanyard, and picking up the dog poo is no hardship 😉

To be honest, the fatigue is much worse than loss of smell, and the not infrequent pericarditis.

I still don’t understand why we seem to reluctant to vaccinate people under the age of about 90. It seems like false economy given the impact of long covid

Turns out that if you’ve got Long COVID, you can badger them to get yourself on the vaccine eligible list!  I’ll be getting mine in a couple of weeks. Doesn’t really make up for 4.5 years of debilitating fatigue, mind…

Combined flu/COVID vaccines are coming. Not this year.

That’s interesting – MrsDoris seems to think she’s getting a combined vaccine (through her workplace, done privately) in November.  Perhaps it’s just both at once?

I think sometimes the wording is ambiguous but it’s two jabs not a combined vaccine.

I’ve been offered 2 jabs at once. But I booked the flu jab weeks ago and only just been offered the covid jab.

Sad that an elderly relative won’t take up the offer, when there’s so many younger people that would jump at the chance.

I still don’t understand why we seem to reluctant to vaccinate people under the age of about 90.

I don’t think we’ve turned anyone down who’s asked for it TBH regardless of their age. or whether they’re in one of the vulnerable groups or not.  Flu jabs are going to be offered next week, it may be worth contacting your GP and asking if you can have both at the same time.

@doris5000 Getting a jab due to long covid sounds great, considering they changed the rules just before I turned 50 last winter.

I’m still a NOVID as it seems to be called. Haven’t had a cold that I can recall since July ’22 and that tested negative.

For example the flu vaccine is really multiple vaccines. Twice a year the scientists look at what strains are dominant in the winter of the northern/southern hemisphere and then prepare a vaccine covering what they think will be the top 5 or so strains for the other hemisphere. Hence why its efficiency varies wildly year to year depending on whether the predictions are right. Since if a different strain is dominant then the immune response may be far less effective.

Unfortunately covid 19 also falls into this type.

I read a couple of years ago that there were already a dozen or so actual corona viruses/strains included in the selection for the flu vaccine. And have been for years.

I’m still a NOVID as it seems to be called. Haven’t had a cold that I can recall since July ’22 and that tested negative.

it’s so weird.  My best mate is a touring DJ.  Spends his life on planes and in sweaty nightclubs full of kids on drugs. Has never had COVID!

Last year’s Vaccine was XBB1.5. This year includes JN.1 https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory-overview/public-health-threats/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/covid-19-medicines . Novovax was finally approved in the US under an Emergency Use Authorisation, the EMA and UK as the first protein (not mRNA vaccine) and targets XBB1.5. MHRA have approved JN.1 from Pfizer and more recently, Moderna. Which is what you’ll get. AZ withdrew their vaccine from worldwide registration.

Combined COVID/flu vaccines will be single shot mRNA vaccines for both viruses. There are no approved mRNA flu vaccines (yet). Next year – everyone is chasing them. Not my area to be honest. therapeutics, however…

Which is what you’ll get

Mrs_oab is waiting on the call…