My friend tested positive for Covid

[kitchengardener2]

I had a visit from a friend on Sunday, we sat outside in the garden for coffee and certainly didn't get close. We are still being extremely careful, don't let anyone in the house or visit other houses. However, just had a text message from my friend to tell me that she has tested positive. We were out but tested as soon as we got home. The tests are showing negative but I am so worried. We will test everyday for the next few days and just keep our fingers crossed 🤞 Another reason for Evosheld to be offered to immunosuppressed people!! We can't go on living in fear of the simple things in life, like having coffee with friends.

[Poodle2]

Hopefully you will continue testing negative. If your friend tested positive today, it is very unlikely they were positive on Sunday. If you had been infected, you would be likely to test positive in the next few days at the latest so if you are still negative on Sunday, it's likely you will stay like that.

[kitchengardener2 in reply to Poodle2]

Thanks,that gives me hope.

[Jetliz]

Hi

So sorry you now have an anxious wait. You sound to be similar to myself in caution. It's times like this that you really wish we all had access to Evusheld. I've had an excellent response from my MP but I'm not getting my hopes up anytime soon.

Take care Julia

[Davidcara]

Glad it was outdoors. Hoping you will continue to be negative, which I think will be the case. Maybe just a reminder that the virus is not done with us. Even though many feel they are done with it.

[kitchengardener2 in reply to Davidcara]

Thanks, that was why we stayed outdoors. Thankfully it was warm enough to be outside.

[Agfar]

I think Poodle2 is right. It is worrying but the Birmingham University study reckons 80% (not on treatment) will make antibodies, which is encouraging even if we don't know how many antibodies. My husband has been positive for a week now and I'm still testing negative. We have put preventative measures in place at home but I am nervous I'm so close to the virus. Fingers crossed 🤞 for us all.

[kitchengardener2 in reply to Agfar]

I started treatment with Acalabrutinib last August so really concerned.

[Shiresboy in reply to Agfar]

Have been confirmed to having good antibody response, ww since 2019, but still advised by my nurse to mask sanatise and avoid crowded spaces.

[Eucalyptus22]

Fingers crossed you don't test positive. Ridiculous when you think even a coffee in back garden causes a risk and so much anxiety. I so agree with your statement about Evusheld. We can't go on being afraid of everyone. Even going for a walk with my much tested best friend causes me anxiety especially if I see people on the path coming towards me.

Tomorrow we are going on holiday to a log cabin in a RSPB reserve after shielding for 2.5 years! Again keeping away from everyone but at least the view will be a change. Life can't go on like this, especially when you can't be 100% confident that those of us who haven't produced any antibodies will get the MAB treatment.

Omicron Variant B4 and 5 are on the rampage and are super transmittable. Numbers are increasing, but at least it isn't as pathogenic. Even so, the government doesn't seem to care that every day we potentially have to put our lives on the line.

Kate

[kitchengardener2 in reply to Eucalyptus22]

Enjoy your holiday. We have done similar for the last year’ staying in isolated cottages and forest lodges and not eating out. We take all our food with us to avoid shopping.

[WinJ3]

Don't count on Evusheld protecting you from Covid. I had all my Covid vaccines, boosters and 2 injections of Evusheld and still caught Covid. I hope you remain negative.

Win

[KatieBlue in reply to WinJ3]

Thanks for sharing. I’m not sure where everyone is getting the idea that evusheld is a silver bullet when even against Delta it was in the 77-83% efficacy range. With various omicron variants that efficacy is further reduced.

People who’ve had evusheld can still get and spread covid. Can it help protect against severe covid? Sure. But getting covid can lead to long covid (CDC says 1 in 5 people who’ve had covid will end up with long covid.).

And an aside to kitchengardener2’s comment about being outside and “certainly not being close…” — covid is airborne and can transmit outdoors, and in a matter of seconds. Think of it moving through air like cigarette smoke. How close is “not close?”

Finally, having both individuals wearing well fitting N95 or equivalent masks would provide additional layers of protection…

[DanBro1 in reply to WinJ3]

Yes, but did you have mild symptoms?? Like you, I've had 4 Moderna shots plus Evusheld and I am beginning to feel like I can get out and about safely.

[WinJ3 in reply to DanBro1]

Mine was farely mild and felt like a bad cold without fever. It lasted about one week with treatment of Nirmatrelvir 150mg and Ritonavir 100mg for 5 days. I was isolated for 10 days and did lots of reading and watching movies on Netflix. 😆

[kitchengardener2 in reply to WinJ3]

Hope you are better now x

[Fran57]

I’m keeping everything crossed for you!Hopefully, you will keep testing negative.

I too have spent over two years worrying about my husband getting covid. He has now got to the point where he says we shall continue to be sensible, but he wants to try to get back to some sort of normality.

We are hoping to move house very soon to be nearer our sons, because we can’t bear to be away from them and their families any longer… but I am concerned about visits with them .

We left the house (first time apart from covid jabs, really)and travelled (with a trusted friend driving, all masked)so we could view houses… what should have been a happy, exciting experience (we’ve been here for 45 years), but I found it quite daunting😳

Evusheld, whilst not a 100% effective, would maybe give my husband a little more protection…

I wish you well and I hope your friend recovers quickly too.

Good luck. Stay positive,

Fran 😷

[kitchengardener2 in reply to Fran57]

Good luck Fran with the house move. We moved to the coast when we retired and love every minute. Would never go back to the city, we have very little close family and they are generally (in normal times) to visit us. Alice x

[Fran57 in reply to kitchengardener2]

Thanks Alice 😉Yes, it must be lovely!

I retired and the pandemic arrived a few months later 🤦‍♀️

We’re moving from a very densely populated city to a small market town, so we’re hoping it will be a whole new experience.

Thanks again.

Fran 🤞🏻

[LeoPa]

Now you can congratulate yourself for being cautious! You have a very good chance of not testing positive.

[peghip]

Last year I had to collect my son and granddaughter fro A&E,. Granddaughter taken by ambulance because high temp.It was a 30 minute journey, both wore masks and sun roof and windows open. Next day he tested +ve for covid and app told me to isolate for 10 days. I didn't gave any symptoms after this. Nor ÷ve LFT. Air and space work and it is probably unlikely you will be infected with covid although no absolute guarantee is possible.

By mask wearing, avoiding crowded spaces and generally being careful I've avoided covid infection. I shop camp walk occasionally eat out and have something approaching a normal life.

I avoid the pub but been in twice both times it was virtually empty.

[Bikram21]

Hi, I was with my brother when he tested positive on a Friday evening. I was positive by Sunday evening. We had spent over an hour in his car with the windows partially open. I had a Bebtelovimab infusion on Monday afternoon and never had more than a runny nose and was sleepy for two days. I had had Evusheld 1 mth prior. I had the infusion at the same facility where I had the Evusheld and was told I was the first one in that facility to test positive after having the Evusheld injections.I have several friends (non-CLL) that also had the Bebtelovimab infusion and had the same result. I do hope you continue to test negative, but if that changes I would push for the infusion.

[NaturalWaze in reply to Bikram21]

Hi Bikram, did you wear a mask in the car with your brother?

[Bikram21 in reply to NaturalWaze]

I was not wearing a mask. I feel certain that if I had, I probably would not have tested positive.

[NaturalWaze in reply to Bikram21]

Thanks for letting me know. I’m constantly assessing what is safe and what is not!

[Elle_V]

My mom tested positive the day after we had an outdoor lunch with her. A thunderstorm started and against my usual precautions we went inside. I finished lunch with my daughters in the dining room while my mom ate in the kitchen. We were in the house unmasked for a total of about 20 minutes. I was so scared for the next few days but thank goodness we didn't get it.

[JLJC]

Aww gosh!! This Covid worrying we have do is so exhausting isn’t it?? 💪🏼🍀🧜‍♀️

[Claybuster in reply to JLJC]

This is true. I would still like to know the truth about how this plague was started. We probably will never know!

[kitchengardener2 in reply to Claybuster]

I will never ever be convinced that this was not some form of chemical warfare. We were in Cape Verde in January 2020 and one day all the Chinese shops and restaurants were open and the following day, they were closed and shuttered. Earlier than that in October 2019 we were in Mexico with family and shortly after our return, my sister in law became seriously ill. She was hospitalised and on oxygen but the doctors couldn't diagnose what was wrong, they tested for tropical diseases because of our trip but eventually decided that she had a new form of pneumonia. She is still breathless after any exertion.

That same month our neighbours returned from a cruise and both were very ill, they now have what is described as long covid, even through they haven't officially had covid. Two people who came back on the same coach as them, died, no official cause of death other than a form of Pneumonia.

We need Evosheld urgently!!

[Eucalyptus22 in reply to kitchengardener2]

I can add my experience to that. I was in Madrid October 2019. Had dinner in a tourist restaurant shared with about 50 Chinese tourists. Flew back to Manchester the following day (was wearing a mask) and dropped like a stone at 2.00 pm , 4 days later. Fever for 3 weeks, muscle aches, cough, loss of taste and smell and felt so ill with what I can only describe at a 'weird flu". Had to have medical help at 10 days as chest was tight. Was still coughing 5 months later and my GP in March 2020 said my symptoms seemed like covid, yet covid was only 'offically' around since Dec 2019. That was all before I started Acalabrutinib! Any antibodies I might have had - gone! Just hope my T cells have some memory.

It's all very "interesting " 🤔 . If only we weren't so emotionally involved.

[kitchengardener2 in reply to Eucalyptus22]

All we hope is that our T cells are blessed with a good memory. Stay safe x

[Hallyho]

Yeah! I hear you! I have been anxious about going anywhere the last two years! We finally went on vacation, wore a mask most of the time, and both hubby and I tested positive now. My doctor got me in for an infusion of Bebtelovimab on the 3rd day. That was Wednesday and I am doing fine. Very mild congestion, mild cough, runny nose. Really just mild cold symptoms. And those a rapidly getting better. Hubby having a harder time, but symptoms were only intense for him for a couple of days. Now we are just resting a lot, taking Tylenol and mucinex.

[DanBro1]

I totally agree with you about trying to live a half-normal lifestyle. Here in San Antonio, something close to 80% of the residents have had at least the basic vaccination, but mask usage is minimal now days. I go out and about, but I avoid crowded indoor places. I have had my 2 basic Moderna shots plus 2 boosters and Evusheld. I must confess that I am getting more carefree every day.... going to Walmart and HEB grocery early mornings on weekdays maskless, for example (say it ain't's so!). Between recently completing my CLL O+V treatment regimen and having my aortic heart valve repaired/replaced a few weeks ago, I have much more energy and far less lethargy now days.

[bennevisplace]

Don't panic kg2. You've been doing the right things to protect yourself and would be extremely unlucky to have caught Covid from an outdoor, distanced meeting, assuming you didn't station yourself downwind!

Keep taking care, but take comfort too. You will have some T cells on your side, should you get the virus, and you should be able to get antivirals within 5 days of a positive test - they are effective against Omicron, which in any case is probably not worse than the cold that I and others have had for 2 or 3 weeks (it's one of those that just keeps on giving).

[Irishgreek]

Your caution seems wise. I spent eight days in hospital with COVID in January. My blood oxygen level dropped to 82. All specialists agreed that my three vaccination shots had not increased my immunity at all. I had monoclonal antibodies treatment and Evusheld two months later. Oncologist told me to consider myself NOT vaccinated since I showed little signs of any increased immunity.

[Vlaminck]

Were you vaccinated and boosted? Particularly if so, and having been outside, and given the timing, seems unlikely you have to worry. I have had some seriously positive exposure (including 3 days playing with grandson as he came down with Covid, including third day when confirmed later at hospital, and parents also got it) and did not get it (or if I did, it was very mild and never tested positive). I am going to throw out again for consideration the supplement Lauricidan (or any other product that makes monolaurin). This coconut based derivative supposedly tends to dissolve the viral envelope (which is a lipid meaning an oil) on enveloped viruses (including Covid, herpes, and many flus). Read about it; don't take my word -- but even if this is wrong, it's a healthy oil. I take it 2-3 times a day even when traveling. I had also been vaxxed and boosted. (Unfortunately, plain old cold virus is not enveloped and am just getting over a cold that hit me 4 days ago.)