The red line beside the “T” indicates that the Covid test was positive.
I knew the risks of picking up contagious diseases during air travel, which is why I went so far out of my way to get this year’s new Covid and flu vaccines before my trip to Scotland. The second evening after I returned home, I started feeling like I was getting a cold. I felt miserable and feverish during the night, so the next morning I did one of the at-home Covid tests. It was positive.
We know that it’s possible to get Covid even though one had the vaccine. The severity of the Covid, though, should be reduced into a “mild” case. My fever wasn’t all that high — 101.8 at its highest. But on day 2 of Covid it’s impossible to know what course it will take. After some Googling, I described my condition to ChatGPT and asked for advice. “Call your doctor,” was the bottom line. I called, they said I should come in, and an hour later I was in the doctor’s office, where another Covid test was positive. It did indeed look like a mild case, but out of an abundance of caution the doctor recommended Paxlovid.
At the pharmacy, I went to the drive-by. I was shocked at how much Paxlovid costs, though my Humana Medicare Advantage insurance paid for most of it. I checked the Humana app this morning for the official numbers. The pharmacy billed Humana $1,406.66 for the Paxlovid. My share of that was $132.74. Yikes!
It’s now day 3, and I’m feeling better. This is the first time I’ve had Covid. I do my best to avoid colds and flu by avoiding public places probably more than I should. I’m just glad that I got Covid on the way home, rather than on the way to Scotland. What a way that would be to ruin a trip.
It really isn’t fair that people my age have Medicare, while younger Americans must try to get by in a health-care wilderness. The obvious solution is Medicare for all. Republicans will do everything possible to see that that never happens.
David, so glad you are feeling better. Covid is sneaky, never know where it may be hiding. I have always gotten the boosters and also the updated vaccine this season, along with the high-dose flu shot. About a year ago, I had symptoms similiar to yours, tested positive and saw the doctor. My case was quite mild and recovery was fairly quick. I attributed that to the earlier booster.
I firmly believe in vaccines and am very troubled by Kennedy’s claims about autism and other maladies without scientific proof. My fear there will be people experiencing serious illnesses or loss of life because of the publicity given these claims. Scary times!
Hi Jo: Scary times indeed, and scarier every day. And I’m so afraid that things are going to get much worse before they get better.