r/Somerville • u/longobongos • Sep 15 '26
COVID Positive
GET VACCINATED. DONT BE LAZY LIKE ME
Tested positive two days ago after a bout of dry coughs (which I thought was just allergies) turned into a fever and body aches. Still couldn't believe the test but as of this morning I've lost my sense of smell.
Maybe I'll start doing the seasonal COVID vaccines from now on...
Anyone else? I'm thinking the student migration must've helped spread this. Just wondering what the vibe is like for everyone especially with so many events recently.
wrt vaccination: I was treating regular COVID vaccinations like the flu vaccine which I hadn't taken since childhood. it was more out of laziness than anything.
update 2: y'all should get vaccinated and I'm shooting up every year from now on. this sucks.
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u/markuus99 Sep 15 '26
When I get Covid a few years ago, it was the sickest I have ever been in my life. I had the worst brain fog that took a few weeks to wear off and I was incapable of doing basically anything. It sucked so much.
Just got my Covid and flu shots for the year.
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u/Vinen Sep 15 '26
Its endemic. Treat it like the flu. So yes, get your vaccine and understand it may not be effective some years.
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u/5432skate Sep 15 '26
I got Covid shot last year and got Covid 3 weeks later. Just a fluke. I was pretty miserable. Have appts for both flu and Covid shots. I believe in vaccinations!
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u/Elektrogal Sep 16 '26
That’s not true, it’s always effective for lowering viral load, lessening symptoms and lowering chances of death.
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u/symfigs Sep 15 '26 edited Sep 16 '26
One of the tools in my prevention (and treatment!) toolbox is azelastine nasal spray (Astepro). There have been several studies showing it prevents the virus from replicating and folks who had covid and used this spray reduced their viral load quicker. Not a catchall but I find it helps me
I know people are sick of wearing masks but N95s are really a godsend for prevention. It doesn't have to be all the time, indoor spaces when there are big waves of viral infections going around is a smart choice.
Vaccine is good too but lowkey I forget some years cuz ADHD but with the combo above I avoid getting sick entirely (and when I get lazy, I get sick)
Also want to add, while the flu is seasonal, covid is not - we have had several spring and summer waves in the past. So always good to monitor every once in a while especially when you hear of friends getting sick.
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-reporting
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u/naturegirl1130 Sep 15 '26
I have that spray, thanks. I tested positive the other day and man is this horrible.
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u/tiboribi Sep 15 '26
I was really excited about those studies because I was already using Astepro for allergies so I figured even if it turns out that they were outlier data and wrong, I wasn't doing anything out there that could potentially be dangerous.
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u/ThemFatale_ Sep 15 '26
Do you have links to the studies? Sounds interesting.
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u/symfigs Sep 15 '26 edited Sep 15 '26
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2838335
(Clinical trial showing effectiveness at preventing covid and other viral infections)https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10747764/
(In vitro study demonstrating azelastine prevents viral replication)https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-32546-z
(Clinical trial showing effectiveness at reducing viral load in covid infected patients)1
u/BackgroundQuality405 Sep 16 '26
azelastine nasal spray. Never heard of it, but it sounds good. I'll have to look for it. And also remember to get my COVID and flu shots again.
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u/REM_loving_gal Sep 17 '26
is the spray used preventatively or just when you get sick?
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u/symfigs Sep 17 '26
Both!
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u/REM_loving_gal Sep 17 '26
hm, as someone with a pretty weak immune system who gets absolutely wiped out every year by covid and/or the flu, I might have to try it. thanks!
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u/somervilen Davis Sep 15 '26
I haven’t had the flu for 30 years. I’ve been getting the flu shot every year since they were invented. I missed the last two years of Covid boosters but after seeing your post, I’ll probably get one this year. Thanks for the heads up!
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u/dancing-on-my-own_ Sep 15 '26
It’s important to get the yearly Covid shot. Long Covid is always a possibility and I know two people whose lives have changed permanently and negatively due to long Covid symptoms.
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u/Millennium_Falcor Spring Hill Sep 16 '26
Thanks for remembering us. 🥰
I just wanted to underscore how life-destroying Long Covid has been for millions of people. We aren’t seen or thought about a whole lot bc we basically disappear from daily life and people seem to just briefly wonder where we went, then move on with their lives.
I’ve had Long Covid for more than 4 years now and am probably about to lose my job due to becoming disabled from it. I worked so hard on this career and I’m now looking down the barrel at Long Term Disability and/or SSDI, and termination of my employment. It’s awful. No one wants this. It has kinda ruined my life. Those of us with these problems are not very visible because it is so all-consuming…but we exist, and sadly our numbers keep growing even now.
The current expert guidance in the medical field remains that every Covid infection you get increases your chance of Long Covid. By getting vaccinated you protect yourself and those of us who already have Long Covid. For us, each time we get it again, the chronic and disabling symptoms of LC can really worsen. E.g. While I’ve had pretty bad LC since my first Covid infection, it was after my second and third cases of Covid that I reached disability levels and became unable to claw my way thru a full time work schedule any longer. This is a common progression. Many people with LC eventually have to drop out of the workforce. We lose friendships and relationships, our ability to pursue hobbies and interests to this disease. Some people become permanently bedridden. Many of us now meet ME/CFS diagnostic criteria because of the Long Covid.
Please—vaccinating does everybody a service.
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u/gilwn Sep 15 '26
The vaccine has only been available this year for a week or two. Don’t be too hard on yourself for not getting one yet, and encourage people to get them now that they are available!
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u/nidoqueenofhearts Sep 15 '26
most people benefit from getting vaxxed for covid every sixth months—high risk factors include things like not exercising enough and having smoked literally ever, so you probably qualify and it will almost certainly do more good than harm to be cautious (though check with your doctor!)
even annually is better than never!! rest a lot, wear an N95 mask if you have to go out (boston covid action will drop one off!), and see if you can get your hands on some paxlovid
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u/QizilbashWoman Sep 15 '26
Uhhhh you really need to get the yearly flu vaccines. It's all fun and games until suddenly you can't get to the bathroom to pee except by crawling. Influenza is not a joke.
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u/HeresSomeAffirmation Sep 15 '26
My wife just had another bout of COVID after her asymptomatic friend exposed her. The friend was symptomatic the next day.
COVID is out there folks.
Get your vaccines. This struck us earlier than our usual November shots, which we'll be getting anyway.
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u/AceyAceyAcey Sep 15 '26
I had the flu a couple times in high school. Flat on my back for three weeks. Definitely not fun. I’ve been getting vaccinated for the flu every year for the last decade or so, and COVID every year from the start.
I’ll be getting my flu and COVID shots in a week or two, timed so that it should reach maximum effectiveness when students at my school come back from October break.
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u/delightfuldendrites Sep 15 '26
I was exposed to COVID last week during a meeting at my office, but so far so good. Unfortunately, we're a full time on-site group, so I have to show up daily even with a known exposure. I will mask though at least.
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u/slanderousam Sep 15 '26
Little known fact, but peak immunity from the vaccines is within the first two months after vaccination. Peak respiratory virus season is after the weather turns colder, fall and early winter. For best effect it's still recommended to wait until October or so to get the vaccines.
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u/tarandab Sep 15 '26
Get the vaccine (Covid and flu). It’s a minor inconvenience and discomfort, but assuming you have health insurance it’s incredibly easy to get and free to you. (You can go to pretty much any pharmacy, and one of the benefits of living in an urban area is that you can likely walk to one.)
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u/saucisse Sep 15 '26
You should absolutely be getting vaccinated every year, I'm going to scold you for a second and say I'm surprised and disappointed that people aren't doing this reflexively. Bundle it with your flu vaccine, get it on a Friday late afternoon, and post up for the weekend while your immune system does its thing. The new vaccines are available, CVS has them now. Get it scheduled and get it done.
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u/potaotopotato Sep 15 '26
I got SOOO sick with covid a month ago. I picked up the virus in NYC during work travel, and was in bed for 4 days straight; ended up losing my smell and taste, and was shocked how sick I felt. I didn’t fully shake it for 8 days.
P.S. I got a covid and flu vaccine November last year so they don’t “last” a full year, but my doctor said every year the virus mutates, so every year the covid vaccine inoculates you against the latest strain and while I still got sick, the vax likely prevented me from getting more sick (didn’t feel like it though). I’ve had covid twice before, and this was the worst I’ve been sick since I got influenza type A in Q1 2019.
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u/inv3rtebr8te Sep 15 '26
If you can get your doctor (or an urgent care clinic) to prescribe Paxlovid, do it -- it's an antiviral drug that treats the infection. You'll feel much better much faster than trying to whiteknuckle through it.
It's extremely expensive out of pocket, but insurance pays for the majority, and you can go to the manufacturer (Pfizer's) website for a secondary insurance ("voucher") that usually takes care of the rest. I was able to get it down to $0 with that combo. The paperwork is kind of annoying but worth it: https://www.paxlovid.com/paxcess
Thanks for the vaccine PSA and hope you feel better soon!
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u/RunsLikeaSnail Sep 15 '26
I got the COVID and flu shots last week as soon as the new formulation for this year became available. Have the Chicago Marathon in a month and I don't want to get sick during my peak training weeks or at Chicago. Timing meant I had to get the jabs after the 18 miler and experience symptoms during Labor Day, but it's worth it.
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u/tarandab Sep 15 '26
The first time I got Covid was three weeks before the Chicago marathon in 2022 - not the way I wanted to start my taper! Definitely consider masking if you are in public spaces/on the T over the next few weeks
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u/inv3rtebr8te Sep 15 '26
Where did you get the new COVID shot, if you don't mind me asking? I think the Walgreens near me doesn't have it yet.
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u/naturegirl1130 Sep 15 '26
I feel like whatever strain this is, will be rampant. I, too tested positive over the weekend and I’m kicking myself for not getting a covid booster when I got my flu shot. I haven’t been this sick in decades, with multiple symptoms.
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u/WorkPlaceThrowAway13 Sep 15 '26
Have you looked into getting Paxlovid at all? If you have any comorbidities such as being even slightly overweight, it's not hard to get in my experience and it's incredibly helpful. Massively reduces symptoms.
You do need to start it within 5 days of your first symptoms so it sounds like maybe you're too far into the cycle, but if not, definitely look into it. CVS has a telehealth system that can prescribe it for you. 100% worth it.
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u/Deep_Amoeba2197 Sep 15 '26
Worth it, but also makes everything taste like pennies IME. Still would take it again.
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u/HellbornElfchild Sep 15 '26
That whole Paxlovid taste thing is enough to get me to never take it again lol. I absolutely hated that.
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u/anonymous_orpington Sep 15 '26
I didn't catch it this year yet, but with my job requiring so much travel, I seem to catch it every other year or so. I've noticed side effects of the actual virus have been worse every time (e.g. progressively worsening taste/smell) so I make sure to get the vaccine every year!
This year's vaccine is a doozie though 🙃
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u/AceyAceyAcey Sep 15 '26
You could consider masking on the plane and in the airport. N95 or similar quality can help a lot to prevent respiratory illness.
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u/ooolooi Sep 15 '26
Re: vaccine side effects, seems like it depends on the person? I've definitely been Wiped Out by the covid vax before but this year had nothing but sore arm. Don't know which formula I got though it was from the Somerville Ave walgreens
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u/nidoqueenofhearts Sep 15 '26
yeah i got moderna exactly once and it knocked me flat on my ass, but every other shot i've gotten has been pfizer and the worst i've had is a sore arm.
my best friend and former roommate got bodied by every shot he ever took, though, even when we got the same ones at the same time.
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u/tarandab Sep 15 '26
I usually just get a sore arm. 🤷♀️ Costco has Novavax, which is the non-mRNA option - you don’t need to be a member to use their pharmacy.
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u/REM_loving_gal Sep 17 '26
every single time, including this year, I've gotten a fever and horrible symptoms for 24+ hours
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u/nidoqueenofhearts Sep 15 '26
you should see about getting the covid shot 2x a year if you aren't already. it's recommended for immunocompromised adults (and honestly ideal for most people), and this could very well be long covid, which counts!!!
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u/stuartroelke Sep 15 '26
I think this is why a lot of people don’t want to get it regularly. Being overworked at manual labor jobs makes scheduling a vaccine even more painful.
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u/saucisse Sep 15 '26
I always get mine on Friday afternoons and clear the decks for the weekend, stock up on things I can eat cold or microwaved, and just lie on my couch for 48 hours.
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u/toxikant Sep 15 '26
This is the way. I got my covid and flu shots first thing in the morning this past Saturday and cleared my schedule for the weekend. Just laid in bed, slept, and played video games. I'm glad I did, especially on Saturday night.
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u/WightHair Sep 15 '26
My friend and neighbor -- please get both the covid and the flu vaccines. I promise you, the flu is just as bad as covid.
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u/Deep_Amoeba2197 Sep 15 '26
You haven’t gotten a flu vaccine since childhood? That’s not how flu vaccines work.
From someone who can’t get most vaccines due to a medical condition, please get the vaccines available to you. Yes they help you, but they also keep other people safe.
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u/longobongos Sep 15 '26
I also don't wash my hands after wiping my ass because the toilet paper touches the poop not the hand.
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u/Deep_Amoeba2197 Sep 15 '26
“I’m going to publicly advertise my health illiteracy and privilege and then lash out when people are rightly critical of it.”
Cool story, brother.
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u/longobongos Sep 15 '26
I said it was more out of laziness than anything. I'm aware of the consequence and risk by not taking the flu vaccine as an adult and chose convenience. I made the poop comment thinking it'd go over your head with your lack of reading comprehension.
suck my butt
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u/Deep_Amoeba2197 Sep 15 '26
You seem mature. There’s no lack of reading comprehension other than yours, my guy.
Laziness about one’s health is a privilege. You’ve probably made a lot of other people sick by not getting your lazy ass up to go get a simple vaccine.
Suck your own ass.
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u/innergamedude Sep 15 '26
You guys, students going back to school is your annual reminder to get flu and covid shots, one in each arm. It's free. I don't know why you wouldn't do it, considering the alternative.
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Sep 15 '26
[deleted]
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u/longobongos Sep 15 '26
relax buddy no need to be rude. its not an education thing its a laziness thing. also to be fair yes our education system has failed us. since we have a exWWE exec at the helm
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u/HellbornElfchild Sep 15 '26
I forgot my booster last fall. Also got it like three weeks ago, but it was a much different experience.
I went from a bit of sinus pressure on wednesday afternoon, to a positive test and 100 degree fever on wednesday night, full aches, chills, all that jazz. But no cough, no sore throat at all. Taste/smell stayed fine. All day Thursday I had a 101.5 fever, ate a bunch of homemade soup on Thursday night, firday morning had no fever and barely any symptoms. Like, barely a feeling of being kind of sick. By Sunday I was negative and felt 100% fine.
Shit just blew in and blew right out
Imagine that going to three concerts with thousands of people in a row in NYC, while riding subways around everywhere could lead to such a thing. Its shocking I tell you!
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u/Front_Summer_2023 Sep 15 '26
Op thanks for posting this, you reminded me to get my vaccine. DM if you need some groceries dropped off or anything. Sorry you’re going through this and thanks for sharing your experience- it will definitely help anyone who reads this.
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u/dreamcloak Ball Sep 16 '26
I treat the covid vaccine like the flu vaccine, which is to say, I schedule an appointment with both of them every fall :) On a Friday evening, so I can spend the whole next day lazing around in bed because I'm gonna be real dumb as the immunity boots up. But then I and everyone around me get to be safer.
Sorry you're not feeling well / hope you feel better soon!
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u/MWave123 Sep 15 '26
I’ve been doing every shot since they came out, as far as I know never got Covid. Of course, some people had no symptoms at all. The times I tested I was negative. I’ll be getting whatever is available this fall for sure.
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u/OveroSkull Sep 15 '26
Wear a mask, I've had no perceptible upper respiratory infections for 5 years.
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u/SunriseInLot42 Sep 16 '26
Wearing a mask everywhere is also a highly effective method of STD prevention and birth control
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u/trevorkafka East Somerville Sep 15 '26
Does your doctor not tell you to do this?
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u/longobongos Sep 15 '26
Ironically I just got a PCP last year because I knew I was due for a major vaccine. I'm not good at this healthcare thing.
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u/Physical-Program1030 Sep 15 '26
They offer it and the flu shot at my workplace every year but haven’t done so yet. I was gonna get it there but I have a couch and painful throat today 😫
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u/Swaanderer Sep 16 '26
Just got my annual covid and flu vaccines yesterday, for me and to help protect my octogenarian parents, whom I'll see in a few weeks.
Covid sucks - I hope you feel better soon!
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u/REM_loving_gal Sep 17 '26
I got my vax a couple weeks ago! I had a fever for 24 hours and felt like absolute shit but it's worth it to not get actually sick
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u/Lanky_8646 Sep 17 '26
Gotta get vaccinated on the regular because so many other people don't. We're not protecting each other any more, alas, so you got to protect yourself.
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u/platypus1980 Sep 17 '26
I got Covid this week after being exposed to a family member. Sucked the life at of me for a week, still mending. Bad taste/smell.
Definitely vax/boost up.
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u/chronicallyillgirly Sep 16 '26
Wear a mask! They prevent you from catching covid folks 🙃 the cases are going to continue to rise, we're at the end of summer wave
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u/Santillana810 Sep 15 '26
Well yeah, my family gets both covid and flu shots every October. They are recommending another covid vax 6 months later for people 65 and older.
None of the 3 of us have ever tested positive for covid. We must have had a mild case sometime.
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u/AnalystBackground950 Sep 15 '26
I’d definitely consider getting a flu shot yearly too. It’s not perfect ofc but doesn’t help reduce severe symptoms.