[SprinkL3]

I wanted to post a supportive thread for those with long-covid or those who are caring for someone with long-covid or those whose relationships have drastically changed after someone they know has dealt with long-covid. Examples of long-covid include symptoms that last beyond 6 months, such as loss of taste, loss of smell, distorted taste, distorted smell, tinnitus, fatigue, breathing problems, PTSD from medical traumas (perhaps from ICU-based trauma or other medical traumas, such as being intubated, having side-effects from certain medications, experiencing iatrogenic effects of certain treatments, experiencing gasping for air as you struggle to breathe, experiencing blackouts from lack of oxygen, experiencing traumatic grief/loss related to health loss, etc.).

I also wanted to post this supportive thread for those with complications from Covid-19, which may or may not include long-covid. Examples of complications include having to live with an organ transplant of some sort, having to relearn how to use motor skills (walking, grabbing), having to relearn how to use cognitive skills to combat brain fog, having to deal with exacerbated medical issues because of the effects of Covid-19, and having to learn new coping skills to deal with the effects of a new lifestyle. Some people may also be struggling with amputations and other health losses, which can be perceived as traumatic or at least a severe life-changing stressor.

Safe thoughts and wellness wishes to you all as you share in this safe space.

[downandlonely]

I am recovering from Covid now (I believe the Omicron variant). One odd thing was that I never lost my sense of taste or smell (maybe that's not as common with Omicron or maybe because I was vaccinated). I don't believe I will have any long term effects, but it is too soon to tell. I believe I contracted Covid at a party on Christmas day (2 weeks ago). I first experienced symptoms and tested positive on the 30th. As of yesterday, I am still testing positive.

[SprinkL3]

Originally Posted by downandlonely

I am recovering from Covid now (I believe the Omicron variant). One odd thing was that I never lost my sense of taste or smell (maybe that's not as common with Omicron or maybe because I was vaccinated). I don't believe I will have any long term effects, but it is too soon to tell. I believe I contracted Covid at a party on Christmas day (2 weeks ago). I first experienced symptoms and tested positive on the 30th. As of yesterday, I am still testing positive.

I think the incubation period of 14 days coincides with virus shedding/being contagious, and I think that people can test positive and still spread the virus within that 14-day window - regardless of vaccination status. I do believe, however, that the vaccine reduces viral shedding, so the dosage of viral shedding is much smaller than an unvaccinated person, which is to say that the time and distance of an infected person matters. For vaccinated persons, it takes longer to contract the virus than for unvaccinated persons. But being in close proximity to other people - even vaccinated people - without masks will still spread the virus. The dose plus vaccine combo might prevent severe symptoms, which is probably why the unvaccinated and immunocompromised get hit harder with the virus nowadays.

If you are testing positive after 14 days, however, that would be something new and concerning. Hopefully you test negative soon!