Rituximab and Covid - not on antivirals

[Alderess]

Hi. I’m away from the UK and tested positive on Monday, having had symptoms on Sunday. It is now day 5 and although I can breath I have a lot of cattarh and I’m struggling to speak because of it. This is my second bout of Covid. Last time I got antivirals and they were so horrid to take I haven’t tried to get them here in Chicago.

my question is this…has anyone on Rituximab had the recent strains of Covid and not had the antivirals? If so, how long was your recovery? We’re supposed to fly home next week and at this rate I’ll be staying on for a bit longer. I have had 5 vaccinations (2 Astra Zeneca, 2 Pfizer, 1 Moderna)

SMC

[Moomin8]

Morning, I am not on Rituximab anymore - I'm on Tocilizumab now. I have had 5 vaccines and had Covid at Christmas 2021, so maybe haven't had this strain 🤷🏻‍♀️I didn't take antiviral tablets in the end, because they arrived too late, and was testing positive for the whole 10 days. It took some weeks to fully recover, but I went back to work on day 11. I hope you don't feel too poorly and can still do a few things before you return home.

[Alderess in reply to Moomin8]

Thank you. I am not feeling too poorly most of the time, just a sticky cough. Breathing is fine. I suspect it will bw more than 5 days though…

[AgedCrone]

Do make sure you test negative for the set time before you get on a flight home won’t you? Please do contact your medical travel insurance company & get some advice.

If you have respiratory problems on the ground…they will be worse in the air…& there is nothing much to be done up there except give Oxygen. …..& you would have a very uncomfortable flight home .

Wish you better very soon…..but get some medical advice.

[Alderess in reply to AgedCrone]

Fortunately we’re with friends so i can stay as long as necessary so of course I’ll follow the guidelines. Helpful advice about feeling worse in the air. I once had toothache on a plane. It was terrible!

[kellymomcars]

I'm on Rinvoq and just came out of the latest Covid without taking antivirals. I also went back to work on day 11, but fatigue and cough stayed until day 21. I opted to treat the symptoms with over the counter medicine (lots of cough medicine - guaifenesin to break up the phlegm, and dextromethorphan to calm the cough). Hope you feel well soon!

[Alderess in reply to kellymomcars]

Thank you. I’m on day 11 and definitely still not 100% but getting better. I had better get some more over the counter stuff. I’m hoping that not using Paxlovid will mean a bit more resistance next time….