Now that I've gotten it....

[CalicoKitty]

So, last month, I was exposed to COVID. (Found out about exposure a few days later). Became symptomatic and shared the love with my husband.  Thankfully the two of us had very mild cases. Mild headache. Mild nasal congestion. No fever. No cough. LOTS of lethargy. And I lost my sense of smell....

I know it's weird, but I feel relieved. I mean, stressing over this illness - being nurses we see some of the most horrible cases... It's been like "am I going to bring it home today"... for 8 months..... That is a lot of stress.  And now I almost have a 'survivor's guilt'. 

So, the vaccine will be available shortly. But, I believe the recommendations are to wait 3 months after infection... But I love vaccines. I want to get them all! More immunity!  Sorry.. Just feeling silly.. But, really, my work approach is different. I now see the PPE more to protect my other patients rather than protect me. And some part of me is like "why am I wearing a mask, now"... 

I don't want to be dismissive of people that have gotten sick. We've all seen those bad cases, and maybe have personal experience with some of the really bad symptoms. I watched one of mine rolled out when I was walking into a unit... But, anyone else feel some sort of relief now that it's "over" for yourself personally?

[ClaraRedheart, BSN, RN]

Serious question. I had it back in July and have felt relieved for  awhile. Our hospital has limited vaccines for frontline staff. I chose not to get vaccinated, because the virus itself should have created an immune response that the vaccine is meant to do. If I really need to get vaccinated, will the vaccine wear off every 3-5 months too like natural immunity? Are we going to be getting 2 part shots every 5 months for the rest of our lives?  

[toomuchbaloney]

5 hours ago, ClaraRedheart said:

Serious question. I had it back in July and have felt relieved for  awhile. Our hospital has limited vaccines for frontline staff. I chose not to get vaccinated, because the virus itself should have created an immune response that the vaccine is meant to do. If I really need to get vaccinated, will the vaccine wear off every 3-5 months too like natural immunity? Are we going to be getting 2 part shots every 5 months for the rest of our lives?  

The science to date suggests that the vaccine mediated immunity may last notably longer than naturally acquired immunity.  Keep your fingers crossed. 

[RainMom]

7 hours ago, ClaraRedheart said:

Serious question. I had it back in July and have felt relieved for  awhile. Our hospital has limited vaccines for frontline staff. I chose not to get vaccinated, because the virus itself should have created an immune response that the vaccine is meant to do. If I really need to get vaccinated, will the vaccine wear off every 3-5 months too like natural immunity? Are we going to be getting 2 part shots every 5 months for the rest of our lives?  

I've read that the vaccine elicits an immune response 400x that of a natural response from infection & that it is expected to last around a year.