My country/city has a new COVID wave. I got infected for the third time.

Gotta catch'em all

I have been recovering from my 4th COVID infection. I've told people, it's not Pokemon, I've NOT gotta catch em all. Seems bad luck, my immune system, or shitty people I work around will continue to give it to me. 🫤
- Yeah I get what you are saying. Asymptomatic carriers are an even bigger problem for people with low immunity.
- 4 times, that's rough. Were they all pretty bad cases?
  I feel lucky I've only gotten it once despite working retail, but I did get the flu once too and it was much worse than COVID.
  For anyone curious, I do keep up with my vaccines and boosters.
new pokemon caught: covid

PSA: you can still get free rapidtests, and it can definitely be useful to know whether a cold is just a cold

In the US, https://www.covid.gov/tools-and-resources/resources/tests

Thanks for sharing this!
Yeah I got tested (RT-PCR) at a clinic too. COVID 19 confirmed. The rapid at-home test got it right all three times.

I wish you a well recovery.

I was feeling pretty bad a few days before Christmas. Couldn't breathe, anxiety level off the roof. I did a COVID test from the pharmacy which was negative, which in turn made me feel even more anxious about my health. A day after Christmas I was so bad I went to the hospital. They tested me there and in less than a minute it was a positive.

It was a pretty bad COVID, I got vaccinated about 2 years ago but this was the first time I actually got it. It went pretty pretty bad.

I am still suffering from long COVID symptoms, mostly issues with short breath etc. Currently lying down on the couch trying to get better. I really hope this ends soon, I need my life back.

I hope you don't have to go through the same thing. I really wish you a swift recovery.

PSA - Rapid tests from the pharmacy are highly accurate at proving a positive, they are very inaccurate at proving a negative.
Meaning if it's positive, you're positive. If it's negative, you may still be positive.
When in doubt, get a PCR test.
- I've also never, never seen someone test positive on the first day of symptoms. Sometimes on the second, but almost always on the third.
  The CDC bitching out to corporations by saying test on the first day so people can keep going to work sick is still insanity. I really wish they allowed people to throat swab since it's supposed to be more effective, but I'm sure they're worried about our litigious culture saying we're trying to choke Republicans to death with microchips.

I hope you have a speedy recovery with no lingering effects!

Genuine question (honestly, I'm not trying to be a troll or start a fight): doesn't it make anyone mad that things have gotten to the point where we can't live our lives without constant reinfection?

I ask 'cause I've been trying to rationalize this question, and no one in my life is really talking/acknowledging COVID anymore, so I'm not really able to bring this up without being that guy who still cares about the pandemic.

We can't live our lives without yearly influenza waves (and other viruses) either. We had one window of opportunity to stop COVID, that was when it first appeared in China. The moment it got in more places, Pandora's box was open and would never be closed again. The COVID we have now and the one back then are wildly different. Since omicron the amount of deaths and even ICU usage has gone down a cliff while the number of infections has skyrocketed. Vaccines + omicron have lead us from the epidemic/pandemic into the endemic stage, where it's just become a part of life like the flu. Not awesome, still ruining life's, but far from the death machine it once was.
- I appreciate these perspectives. Thanks.
- Can it evolve to a deadlier or less transmissible strain like the first SARS 1 where it will eventually stop the transmission?
No, it doesn't.
The name is the same, but the virus is much weaker.
We haven't found a way to eradicate it. I have more important things to worry about than something so futile.
- I especially appreciate your second point.

country/city

#monacoposting

#citystates
- Vatican and Singapore?

I still haven't caught it. There are dozens of us! Dozens!

Maybe you just got a case without symptoms
Me too, however I vaccinated early and was mostly good about isolation when it was required, hence it's plausible that I have been lucky.
Same boat, and while havent gone full CovIdiot, I havent really been super cautious either
edit: not sure if it's the Covidiots or people who are annoyed that I wasnt more cautious that are downvoting me
- You might just be asymptomatic or immune. Congrats!

Out of curiosity, of those that are getting infected multiple times, have you been keeping up with your vaccinations? Fully or partially, or not at all?

Unfortunately, due to the nature of COVID, the vaccines aren't fully effective at stopping infection. The virus is just too effective, and our immune system doesn't maintain the response required.
What they do is give the immune system a massive headstart. This vastly reduces the peak viral load. This both reduces the chances of it being dangerous, as well as reducing how infectious you are.bit doesn't always stop you getting reinfected however.
- Vaccines aren’t designed to stop infection. They never intended to.
  The vaccine is intended to get your body familiar with the virus so that when you do get it your body knows exactly how to fight it.
I had it 4 times last season and twice this season. I got the initial 2 dose vaccine in early 2021 and a booster each November since then for a total of 5 shots. I think the boosters have helped me to not have terrible symptoms, a few times it’s been just a stuffy nose and loss of smell, maybe a low grade fever. I’ve only had two infections that I would consider bad and even then I’ve been nowhere near hospitalization or even doctor checkup.
- That's a lot of times. Do you generally ask everyone to sneeze in your mouth, or do you just eat a select few?
- That suuucks. Do you wear a mask? It seems like you are especially likely to catch it whether because of your job, immune system or other factor.
  I'm still one of the "crazy" people who wears a mask to work and I've only got it once in 2022, but I know it's anecdotal.
3 time gang. I got my first round about a month prior to covid even being officially announced. 2nd and 3rd I was vaxxed and masked and everything, including my wife. I still don't know how I got #2 and #3. Luckily I haven't had it in about a year and a half, but working from home and being an introvert have helped.
- I'm curious, how was the severity of your first infection compared to later infections?
I’ve had it 3 times: I had the two vaccinations, one booster and this years annual booster, but I believe I missed one. I’ve generally had a strong immune system, but am definitely reaching an age where I can no longer just assume good health
First was worst. I realized it wasn’t a cold when I couldn’t smell the curry I was making. I ran a fever for a couple of days and was actively sick more than a week - that was before vaccinations existed
Second was just like a cold for several days. I believe I ran a brief fever from symptoms but missed it with the thermometer
Third was I think a day or two, caught on the flight back from seeing family this past Thanksgiving. The biggest problem was the test and trying to self-quarantine. It’s much harder when you don’t feel sick
My kids had it twice more, from school, but I avoided it despite keeping them home from school and being around them all day
While it continues to affect us, there really seems to be a progression where it’s less and less
We can't even get them anymore in the Netherlands, unless you have bad health and are also eligible for flu shots or are old enough (50+ afaik). I recently checked because I'd rather take another shot than be ill for a week. It kinda sucks but I also do kinda get it. The vaccines were at some point like €30 a piece. Spending that amount plus the infrastructure for everyone isn't free either. So maybe it's just not worth the collective cost anymore, for young and healthy people.
- Eligible for flu shots? Tf? In the US, almost all shots are 100% free. It's the most cost effective way to keep people healthy. I thought you guys had healthcare?
We got infected for first time ever last September, were double boosted (so 4 doses in total) prior to that and the new boosters (for the BA strain family) were just coming out at that time which we were planning to take. It hit us bad, Paxlovid helped a lot getting it out. Then we got infected again in December as JA.1 started spreading everywhere but just a mild cold this time. The new strains are just so infectious and by the time the vaccines targeting them are available, most people are already infected.
I've had 3 pfizer shots.
- So the initial two shots that were a months or so apart and then the refresher 6 months later? You're basically unvaccinated at this point. No surprise you're contracting it all the time.
  I'm at six shots.
- You should still get the boosters because those will both A) help keep you from becoming ill at all, and B) not transmit it to others if you do.
  Most other people aren't in great shape. Wouldn't you feel bad if you passed it to someone's cute kid or lovely grandma and they got severely ill as a result?
- The last time I got it was pretty bad though
  You know a really effective way to reduce symptoms in case you get sick? Getting vaccinated. Just get your yearly flu and covid vaccination and your symptoms will be much less than without.

Haha only 3? I think I'm up to 5 or 6 at this point. I have a very bad immune system. First time I got it(pre vaccine) I was terribly ill for almost a month. Thanks to the vaccines and boosters, in combo with paxlovid, I usually only have 2-3 days of actively bad symptoms and then another week of mild cold-like symptoms.

Isn't it really bad for your long-term health to get covid? I haven't got it yet, which at this point feels like going for a high score
- It can be, but it's not guaranteed.
  But covid can absolutely fuck you up for life. It's been causing autoimmune issues on top of everything else, too.
  Also, you might have had it and not known. There are plenty of asymptomatic carriers out there.
- Every time you get it, you roll the dice on permanent long-COVID symptoms. That risk doesn't go away.
- Yeah I've had long COVID since that first time and it only gets worse each time
I am starting to think I should become a hermit. I've avoided it all this time, and have tested regularly.

COVID hit me the second time at my companies christmas party. I almost forgot that it is not a regular flu and covid kindly reminded me of that. I was down and laying in bed for a whole week with fever. Took me two weeks to feel almost back to normal. Got cough 2 to 3 weeks after I recovered. Still a weird illness with even more weird symptoms like skin rashes at fingers and toes. Get well soon.

I just want it has just random abilities that it decides to switch on and off depending on who it infects.
I didn't get any rashes or anything but on top of the standard flu-like symptoms I couldn't really remember things with any degree of reliability. And I found it very hard to think logically, I remember staring at my phone and I really could not work out for the life of me how to use it. I knew I should know how to use it but in the moment I couldn't work it out and I had to give up.

That sucks.

I hope you don't catch it again. Things will be more tougher in the future as countries being pushed by businesses will downplay this more.

Take care

And a good recovery!

Not once here (officially) knocks on wood

I tested positive for the very first time on Thursday. Didn't even think to test for a couple days of 103°F because of my good luck so far...

I actually never got it. I also never taken a test. Ha take that you extroverts with all your ....... many ....... friends .............. someone help me

Didn't work for me in 2022 😐
The good ol murica approach
- How does that work? I'm not even from America

Makes me so glad I'm vaccinated. Also a paranoid shut-in.

I got vaccinated too, like 3 times. The first time I got COVID was before the vaccine. Still got infected after but symptoms were more mild and recovery time was way faster. That first time without the vaccines were absolutely brutal.

Don't worry, third is the charm!

Did you have your booster shot in the past six months?

That sucks. I genuinely can’t fathom how I haven’t caught it yet. I got the vax right when it came out at the hospital/first responder time but with how much I travelled at the peak it’s amazing I’ve still avoided it. Every booster has kicked my ass so I really don’t think I had a silent case.

Always possible that you have had it and you are just asymptomatic.
I am triple vaxed, but the last one was like during the previous winter, wanted to get a booster this winter too, but got the covid in early october, before they were available in my country, got a 39.5 C temp, sent me to the fucking floor for 2 days, I think you would notice if you got it, lol
- I was a bit late on this booster because they were late getting it on base and then shifted all supplies overseas which made me go to local pharmacies which is a pain for active duty but I finally managed. I feel like I was higher risk at the beginning than now though, either way what I've been doing seems to have worked. Meanwhile my biochemist wife who works in pharma development is only a bit butthurt that she caught it before me despite absolutely being the subject matter expert and only going interacting with peers at work during the height of it.

Stay safe. Just one bad case of long-covid will debilitate you for months or years, effectively destroying your life.

"picture of COVID test"

Hmm this IS mildly infuriating.

Get better soon!

At least it’s a clear test. Every test I’ve had, the result is an in distinct line you have to question

If you can see it at all you're positive.
- but do i see it at all? is that a real line, or my imagination? do i even see?
Congratulations, boy , girl or neutral??

enjoy your newly gained immunity

Do you think it's a third time lucky rule?
- depends, if the virus gets bored of evolving this time round then yes

Any chance the test instructed you to urinate on it

Where I live covid is not much of a thing right now and the influenza seems to have calmed down too (for now at least)

It's the new common cold. Hopefully it continues to mutate to become less deadly to those most susceptible.

If pilots and bus drivers suffer from post COVID fog brain, it could become way more deadly. That's why instead of treating it like a cold, people still need to get vaccinated.

Damn, that test line is stronger than the control.

For most people covid isn't that big a deal anymore, assuming you had all your vaccinations.

I was missing the most recent booster, and mine was like a mild flu.
But it's been 3 months and I'm still not over the fatigue and brain fog. So protect yourselves, everyone.

I'm starting to think those tests are no good.

The tests are actually impressively accurate. They have a VERY low false positive, when used correctly. They aren't as good with false negatives, they can miss minor infections, that don't expose enough virus and so can show negative, even when infected.
A positive test however, definitely (or as close as no difference) means you're infected, even if you don't feel any symptoms.
Well they got it right all three times sooo I'd say pretty good for me.
I reckon. For me, whenever the T line shows up, I feel crummy for weeks afterwards. It's not a good sign, I'd rather not take the test. \s

So we’re still rolling the dice as far as getting a bad covid. Yeah, the virus has generally gotten less serious, but it still has the potential to be serious, and it’s still killing lots of people.
So it’s not the same as sneezing.
- Not to mention long COVID. Personally know at least 2 people who got it (myocarditis or something? Can't remember).
- So it’s not the same as sneezing.
  That's why everyone should get yearly booster shots (same with the regular flu).
- Has it? The last I heard, the new strains were even more infectious and more dangerous, but people weren't getting as sick thanks to the vaccines.
  But that was before this current strain, which is resistant to boosters from before late September and is the cause of the second highest spike in infections the US has seen, with an estimated 2 million new cases on the 11th alone. Hopefully, this new strain has mutated to be less dangerous than the original, and that's why it's resistant to the vaccines/boosters except for the most recent.
COVID can cause neurological damage in ways other viruses can't, and can leave people with permanent symptoms. It's definitely mildly infuriating to know that our governments have all given up on doing anything about it and have the attitude of just letting people get it when we don't know all of the long term consequences of COVID.
- It’s definitely mildly infuriating to know that our governments have all given up on doing anything about it
  Over here in Germany covid vaccinations are now treated like flu vaccinations. Insurance covers the cost but it's up to the people to make their own appointments at pharmacies or doctors. I have little empathy for people refusing to get boosters and then have to deal with consequences.
If every sneeze was a brain damage dice roll, I bet we'd see this kind of post about sneezing indeed
Weird. I work in hospice. We somewhat regularly get patients signing in because of COVID/COVID effects, but I can't recall the last time someone signed in because they had "really bad flu." It's almost like one is still significantly worse to get.
You may not be an anti vaxer, but you're still a jerk
This comment is mildly infuriating
You seem quite cross, almost obsessional about this post. Perhaps just ignore and move on. You don’t know anything about the poster’s health, age etc.
https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2024-01-04/covid-2024-flu-virus-vaccine
https://donotpanic.substack.com/p/four-years-later-two-million-infections?publicationid=1402572&postid=140312819&isFreemail=true&r=1oiwuv