Chat about Novel Coronavirus - 2019-nCoV - COVID-19

Most of my friendship groups parents in their 60’s (in Dorset) have now had their first vaccination.
I was extremely sceptical about the suggested numbers when first announced but it continues to go remarkably well. Long may it continue!

Just had my antibody test results back-positive. Which is quite exciting as it was last March I had it.
I have to say I'm surprised nobody seems to have picked up on it. I should have thought still having antibodies after 11 months would be a (minor) big deal

I should have thought still having antibodies after 11 months would be a (minor) big deal

It's not unsurprising whilst the pandemic is ongoing. Each subsequent exposure to the virus will result in some level of immune response. Having "immunity" doesn't mean you can't ever get it again, it means your body is better equipped to fight it when you do get it again and (hopefully) stops it before it takes hold.

Aw :(

Are your lungs feeling better?

Which test did you use?

Searched to see if these twitter messages are real but not sure.

EDIT: They are real, not sure if this is funny ha ha or funny wtf.

The gov/nhs one, so hopefully it's reasonable
@Greenbank I was pleasantly surprised to still have antibodies after so long as they keep saying on the news that they don't know how long protection lasts

They're real:-

https://twitter.com/Dr_D_Robertson/status/1356954427857514496

I was pleasantly surprised to still have antibodies after so long as they keep saying on the news that they don't know how long protection lasts

I don't think I was clear enough, let me try and explain.

The fact you have antibodies now doesn't necessarily mean they've been lingering around since the original infection.

After an initial infection the immune system will keep antibodies around for a while in case it comes back soon but, over time (weeks/months but not years), the antibodies present in your blood will drop to undetectable levels. That doesn't mean your "immunity" is gone as the body remembers how to recreate those antibodies (and other associated immune system cells) if they are needed again the future.

The "they don't know how long protection lasts" refers to this latter point of how long the body remembers how to create the necessary cells to fight an recurrence of an infection. It doesn't just refer to how long the original set of antibodies remain in your system. They aren't the same thing.

It's much more likely that you have detectable antibodies in your system because you've been exposed to the virus again recently and so the body has created what it needs to create in order to fight the reinfection. In a couple of months the same test could return a negative result, and then a few weeks later (if you were exposed again) it may return a positive result, etc.

Immunity doesn't mean you never get reinfected. It's not some magic barrier that prevents the virus from getting into your body. It's how your body deals with the virus once it inevitably does get back into your body. It means your body is much better equipped to deal with reinfection before it gets to the levels where it starts to cause symptoms and/or (hopefully) before it gets to significant levels of the virus that could be transmissible to someone else.

Immunity also isn't binary, it's not simply "none" or "perfect". You could have had an original infection, then be jabbed twice, and still be one of the unlucky people whose well prepped immune system is still overwhelmed by the virus.

Tx, I can't get that one.

No aftereffects, your smell and lungs are still ok?

Not to speak of. I had a fairly mild case, fluid on the lungs which meant they wouldn't inflate fully, leading to a persistent cough (racking, violent as the homoeopaths would describe it) in an attempt to bring the goo up; shortness of breath as a result (was up and down stairs a lot at the time) and, yes, I did lose sense of taste and smell but that came back very rapidly. No after effects except occasional shortness of breath but, tbh, that's probably more down to the crisps and chocolate (ie super healthy) diet than anything else.
What do you do workwise? I didn't think I'd get the test but I stretched the truth a bit and got one (but I didn't say that)

Seems like its 'drive to the local park day' in Britain. Where did you drive your jazz @Fox ?

Not much better to be honest.
Oximeter is still around 96.

Slightly less painful when I cough.

Beyond shattered today, fell asleep in my daughter’s bed for 2 hours earlier, because sleeping with the cold wall on my back was a nice relief.

No appetite today, amazing how your desire to eat shrinks when you can’t smell anything...

@Greenbank excellent description, thank you

I don't drive a Jazz! How rude.

Think I've driven my Civic twice since Christmas. I was surprised it started last time.

@Greenbank are you a medical professional?

Nope, no medical training whatsoever. Last bit of biology I did was at GSCE level.

Evidently still more knowledgeable about virology than Dido Harding.

And now I can’t taste coffee, which is an utter tragedy.

Is now time to go to instant coffee?

Day 9 of symptoms.
Woke up much more comfortable, temp was almost normal, 37.2 ish.
Lungs feel really tired, still coughing, very out of breath.
Can't really speak too long without feeling out of breath.

Wife called GP for a sick note, and we've both been referred for further assessment.
Assessment said that breathing difficulties often come in about 10-12 days after initial symptoms, and that we should monitor O2 levels 3 times a day.
And that if it drops to 92 or less, to call 999.

:/

oh man, hope you feel better.
Sounds like you are on the mend.

How are you managing childcare?

Hope you're doing okay - you're doing everything right.

Assessment said that breathing difficulties often come in about 10-12 days after initial symptoms, and that we should monitor O2 levels 3 times a day.

This is what I was told too, although I was in better condition than you the doc said it can still take a dive. Other advice was not to lie on my back and to do constricted breathing exercises, deep breath in, hold, release etc.

Hope you’re both on the mend soon.

In my case, I had a chest infection that required antibiotics and still not right. Sinuses are blocked and nose breathing is an issue.

Started on the sudafed, proper stuff and going to wash my sinuses out.

Fingers crossed you will not have o2 levels drop.