Preparing for Covid this Summer
“The important message for our members is that they need to take every effort right now to protect themselves as testing has greatly decreased; fewer people are wearing masks and the newest variant, BA.2 is extremely contagious. We must reach out to our doctors/teams IMMEDIATELY if we test positive or experience symptoms. There is only so much time they have to treat us. This virus isn’t mild for us and if anything, it’s scarier out there now, with the lack of precautions to keep us safe. It’s hard to measure our risk, as Dr Fauci suggests. Even though we are very familiar with our transplant, we differ with our various health conditions. Statistics on community spread is not always accurate. We really have to fight for ourselves and be our own advocates!- so we are not forgotten or overlooked.”
Monica Winkelman, OTS Board member
Here is information compiled from several news sources-- the New York Times and Vox:
From “What Immunocompromised people need to know right now: there’s a spectrum of risk among this group, and a lot of tools to help them,” by Keren Landman@landmanspeaking, 4/6/22 (Vox)
There are no easy answers on how to minimize exposure for immunocompromised people . However, improving ventilation and air filtration, and maximizing vaccination rates and masking among those sharing air space with high-risk people would help.
1) Vaccination remains a key component of prevention. For people who initially received mRNA vaccines, the CDC now recommends a total of four doses for immunocompromised people, with the option of a fifth dose. For those who initially received Johnson & Johnson vaccines, the recommendation is for a total of three doses (preferably including mRNA doses), with the option of a fourth. Immunocompromised people are somewhat less protected by vaccines than people with normal immune systems, but the protection isn’t zero.
2) Wearing a properly fitted N95 mask also provides excellent protection during casual contact with others, even when they are unmasked.
3) Research Evusheld (AstraZeneca), an antibody drug that can help immunosuppressed people. First check with your healthcare provider about Evusheld. If you can get a prescription, this website has helpful links to distribution sites: https://rrelyea.github/io/evusheld. Also, you can call 1-800-232-0233. In the Chicago area, one location for appointments is Innovative Express Care (www.innovativecorona.com/evusheld-covid-prevention)
4) If you do become infected, you may benefit from antiviral medication such as Paxlovid (Pfizer) and Molnupiravir (Merck/Ridgeback Therapeutics). BUT BE SURE TO CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR FIRST ABOUT POSSIBLE DRUG INTERACTIONS. THESE MEDICATIONS CAN BE DANGEROUS IF TAKEN WITH BLOOD PRESSURE PILLS AND/OR IMMUNOSUPPRESANT DRUGS (TACROLIMUS FOR ONE). These pills are taken immediately at the start of symptoms for several days. You should know how to get a prescription and which pharmacy can fill it. Some pharmacies can test and administer the pills on-the-spot.
5) Immediately notify your transplant team or doctor if you experience any Covid-like symptoms, or test positive. Symptoms can be mild at first but progress rapidly. Paxlovid, Bebtelovimab and Remdesivir are effective treatments for BA.2. NOTE WARNING IN TIP #4!
6) BA.2 spreads more quickly, and infections can be asymptomatic in others. Even those who have been vaccinated can spread BA.2. Here are some common symptoms of Covid:
· Fever or chills
· Cough
· Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
· Fatigue
· Muscle aches
· Headache
· Lost of taste or smell
· Sore throat
· Congestion or runny nose
· Nausea,vomiting
· Diarrhea
BA.2 seems to present with these symptoms in particular: cough; fatigue; congestion and runny nose.
IN ADDITION, two New York Times reporters listed some tips for the summer:
1) Follow the statistics for your county or region via the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov.
2) Check your mask supply and have high-quality medical-style masks: N95, KN95 or KF94. Free mask distribution info is available on the CDC website.
3) Order home Covid infection tests asap. Heat can damage the tests. Try to avoid the chance that they could be affected while waiting for delivery in trucks. (However, please note that the CDC has not recommended ANTIBODY-LEVEL testing since test results can be misleading and not dependable.)
4) Get a pulse oximeter. Low oxygen levels (below 92) can be a sign of pneumonia. These are available to drugstores for about $30.
5) IF YOU PLAN TO TRAVEL, check clinics and pharmacies in your destination area. Be prepared to stay extra days, if needed, for recovery from Covid.
From “A New Wave of Covid-19 is Coming. Here’s How to Prepare,” by Tara Parker-Pope and Knvul Sheikh, New York Times 3/3/22 and updated 4/4/22. See also “High Demand for Drug to Prevent Covid in the Vulnerable, Yet Doses Go Unused,” by Amanda Morris and Sheryl Gay Stolberg (New York Times 3/6/22)