Had a physical this morning and asked to be tested for antibodies. I really think what I had over November and December could have been it. The NP agreed and suggested we test for active infection too. They only took blood, no nasal swab. She said results take 24-48 hours. I had a strongly diminished sense of taste and smell in December.
Had a physical this morning and asked to be tested for antibodies. I really think what I had over November and December could have been it. The NP agreed and suggested we test for active infection too. They only took blood, no nasal swab. She said results take 24-48 hours. I had a strongly diminished sense of taste and smell in December.
I'm hoping the antibody is positive. It would explain a lot, and could mean I have a lowered chance of catching it. Also, I might be able to donate plasma.
I'm hoping the antibody is positive. It would explain a lot, and could mean I have a lowered chance of catching it. Also, I might be able to donate plasma.
if yours come positive im definitely getting my family checked.
I'm hoping the antibody is positive. It would explain a lot, and could mean I have a lowered chance of catching it. Also, I might be able to donate plasma.
Yeah it's one of those weird scenarios where you almost hope that you had it back then because you've clearly already recovered and as you said, you've got a much lower chance of getting it again. Still not sure where that part of the virus is at and if you can even get it again.
awookiee said: Still not sure where that part of the virus is at and if you can even get it again.
I think the consensus is most experts are pretty sure it works that way (immunity once you've had it) but there isn't enough data yet to say so with certainty.
There's also the question of how long any immunity lasts, how strong an immunity it is, and how much the severity of the infection impacts the level of antibodies and later resistance. What is highly likely is some immunity is imparted, but everything else about that immunity/resistance is a relatively open question. These open questions are some of the reason the herd immunity crowd are potentially so dangerous. They are pushing to expose people to a potentially deadly infection for what could be little benefit, and it could even mean the virus is more likely to mutate as it moves from person to person. Vaccine based herd immunity does not include the same potential for mutation risk since it is not a live virus that is used.
If we get any mutations to the coronavirus it opens up a whole other can of worms. We develop immunity to the colds we get, but the viruses that cause a cold change so much the immunity/resistance we gain from one is almost useless to future infections. Immunity is sadly not a simple binary of immune/not immune.
I saw that too - an actual expert, saying avoid curling…and
choirs…and friends...and family. Friends and family are bad,
especially when they get together, and you are there…
I think I am hearing experts say (congressional testimony yesterday) it is too early.
Anyone know of bonafide experts saying otherwise - please share.
This just in . . . University of Washington model (IHME) bumps up deaths projection by 10,000 - adjustments due to lifting of restrictions.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but IHME has been consistently lower in their projections too, and that still seems really low. I'm pretty sure that we hadn't quite hit 80K deaths last Friday, and we're over 83K less than a week later. The death rate is dropping in NYC and other early hot spots, but the infections are also becoming more widespread in rural parts of the country, where there are fewer hospitals and as restrictions are lifted, it seems inevitable that it will accelerate.
Interesting development - my employer has instituted a daily, mandatory Fit for Duty questionnaire for every colleague, regardless of whether they work from home, in an office, or at our customers' sites.
After taking your
temperature, does your temperature read higher than 100.4⁰F (38⁰C)?
Within the past 14
days, have you. . . . . . been within 6 feet (2 meters) of an individual confirmed positive
for COVID-19 and either
the period of contact was greater than 15 minutes, or you or the other individual were not wearing a face covering/mask?
. . . lived with or provided personal care for an individual confirmed
positive for COVID-19?
. . . been ordered to quarantine by a healthcare professional or public
health authority?
Do you believe there are any other risk factors not identified above that Company Name should be made aware of to ensure your safety and the safety of
others? e.g. a new persistent cough, close contact with an individual
probable, but not confirmed positive for COVID-19, etc.
If you answer yes to any of these, you're directed to contact your local health provider and take the day off or work from home if possible.
Vitamin D deficiency significantly correlated with increased mortality and overactive immune response leading to cytokine storm. https://neurosciencenews.com/vitamin-d-coronavirus-mortality-16349/ Time to start supplementing if you don't get enough sunlight, live north of 37LN or south of 37LS, or aren't already supplementing. I actually had my vit D levels tested a year ago, found myself deficient, and started supplementing (after massive startup doses prescribed by my doctor, I now take 5,000 iu every 2 days.) My vit D was retested Monday and came out in the recomended levels.
Also, my antibody (IgG and IgM) tests both came back negative indicating I likely did NOT have coronavirus in the winter.
How are you guys managing to get antibody tested? I haven't looked into it too hard, but the two times I've asked about it the provider didn't say it was an option.
Thanks for asking. She is still showing no symptoms, still isolating although I've had to stop her from doing things like randomly hanging out in the kitchen when I'm in there or answering the door. My test is tomorrow morning at 9:00. Physically I feel great, but I haven't been sleeping well and my anxiety has been so high all week. I'm trying my best to remain calm & settled though, trying to distract myself with good tv & good music. I just want this to all be over though. I need some socially distanced hugs for real.
@michelle Hopefully your test is all clear, and it’s good she’s not “sick sick”, though yeah - stay in your room, ya doofus!
Lily was all sad the other day because she hadn’t had a Mum hug in weeks so I made her have a shower and then wrap a scarf around her face and then I gave her a big hug, lol.
Lily was all sad the other day because she hadn’t had a Mum hug in weeks so I made her have a shower and then wrap a scarf around her face and then I gave her a big hug, lol.
That is so sweet! I'm sure it made her feel *so* comforted to get a hug from mum again. I'm sure it felt good for you to get a daughter hug too. I know how she feels, in a different way though. I haven't seen my nieces since late February, and I'm used to seeing them all the time. We're really close, and this is so hard. At least we can Facetime. One thing about this, it really helps gain even *more* appreciation for the people you love.
@Michelle Yeah, I’m a loner so I don’t think sometimes about how hard other people are taking this. Lily is a social person and also a hugger so she’s been struggling. At least she had her housemate and she was still allowed to visit me (you can visit family here but have to still do social distancing of 1.5 metres), so she’s not been completely alone. Hard for social people who live on their own, though, or people like you who are close with family and can’t visit them. :-(
@Michelle Yeah, I’m a loner so I don’t think sometimes about how hard other people are taking this. Lily is a social person and also a hugger so she’s been struggling. At least she had her housemate and she was still allowed to visit me (you can visit family here but have to still do social distancing of 1.5 metres), so she’s not been completely alone. Hard for social people who live on their own, though, or people like you who are close with family and can’t visit them. :-(
1.5 metres in OZ? 2 metres here.
I haven't hugged my mom in two months either, maybe when she comes to visit this weekend, it will be our Mother's Day.
We grocery shop for my parents every week and go out to their place to drop the supplies off and visit outside for an hour or so. It's really hard for everyone to not hug or even get close, but it's better than a video call.
Just underwent my test. It was the most uncomfortable experience. I’m glad I (hopefully) only have to do it once. The swab being inserted doesn’t hurt, but omg... they swirl it around for what feels like forever on the very back of your nasal cavity and it made me start tapping my feet on the floor really quick (the way you do, you know what I mean) and my eyes watered. I’m glad I had it done, but I definitely would not say it was enjoyable.
I just asked my PCP for it when I went in for my regular visit. (I'm on a BP medication that requires keeping an eye on my kidney function a few times a year via blood test.) She said they are offering it through labcorp testing. Give your PCP a call @Giovanni and see if they offer it. I believe the antibody testing has only become more available in the past week or so.
@Michelle Did they do a throat swab too? We have that here as well as the nasal swab. I’m dreading ever having to get it as I gag really easily (sometimes when brushing my teeth, lol). I’d probably throw up all over the poor tester.
Anyway, fingers crossed for you - let us know your results!
Just underwent my test. It was the most uncomfortable experience. I’m glad I (hopefully) only have to do it once. The swab being inserted doesn’t hurt, but omg... they swirl it around for what feels like forever on the very back of your nasal cavity and it made me start tapping my feet on the floor really quick (the way you do, you know what I mean) and my eyes watered. I’m glad I had it done, but I definitely would not say it was enjoyable.
I should know by the end of the weekend.
Michelle my belle we all love ya here! Fingers crossed. Tough situation to be in.
Comments
If we get any mutations to the coronavirus it opens up a whole other can of worms. We develop immunity to the colds we get, but the viruses that cause a cold change so much the immunity/resistance we gain from one is almost useless to future infections. Immunity is sadly not a simple binary of immune/not immune.
I think I am hearing experts say (congressional testimony yesterday) it is too early.
Anyone know of bonafide experts saying otherwise - please share.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but IHME has been consistently lower in their projections too, and that still seems really low. I'm pretty sure that we hadn't quite hit 80K deaths last Friday, and we're over 83K less than a week later. The death rate is dropping in NYC and other early hot spots, but the infections are also becoming more widespread in rural parts of the country, where there are fewer hospitals and as restrictions are lifted, it seems inevitable that it will accelerate.
If you answer yes to any of these, you're directed to contact your local health provider and take the day off or work from home if possible.
Also, my antibody (IgG and IgM) tests both came back negative indicating I likely did NOT have coronavirus in the winter.
She is still showing no symptoms, still isolating although I've had to stop her from doing things like randomly hanging out in the kitchen when I'm in there or answering the door.
My test is tomorrow morning at 9:00. Physically I feel great, but I haven't been sleeping well and my anxiety has been so high all week. I'm trying my best to remain calm & settled though, trying to distract myself with good tv & good music. I just want this to all be over though. I need some socially distanced hugs for real.
I know how she feels, in a different way though. I haven't seen my nieces since late February, and I'm used to seeing them all the time. We're really close, and this is so hard. At least we can Facetime. One thing about this, it really helps gain even *more* appreciation for the people you love.
I haven't hugged my mom in two months either, maybe when she comes to visit this weekend, it will be our Mother's Day.
I should know by the end of the weekend.