Why do so many people seem to have Covid (and it’s summer?)

[Weightedvest]

I’m taken aback how many people I know who have Covid. Why is that? I assumed it was typically a winter illness.

also, I’m going away on a course next week and I’m worried about getting it and not being able to go.

if you have had it recently, what were your symptoms?

Covid is not season specific though, is it?

It's one reason why I'm afraid to go on holiday. If someone on the plane has it, you have a high chance of catching it and being ill for the whole holiday. It's happened to countless people I know.

I think it would be sensible to test before visiting vulnerable relatives.

Covid test kits in Home Bargains £4.99 for pack of 5.

The one symptom that stands out for me when people who have had it recently say. Is their eyes feel like piss holes in the snow. It's always the eyeballs hurting that makes me back away and swerve those with a lurgy.

Course that's just my experience. It seems to hit people differently.

"shit flu"? be thankful it's a "shit flu" for you. You do not want full blown flu or full blown covid. Trust me.

I have a vulnerable DD and we test to protect her. She actually caught it recently, not from one of us as it happens, and she had antivirals couriered to her within 6 hours of her test. It was really impressive from the NHS and stopped her from potentially becoming seriously ill. So while those of you blessed with good health can say it's foolish to test in case you spoil your fun, there are thousands of people out there still at risk of dying from what is NOT a common cold.

I’m always astonished when people say this.

Tests are on Amazon or in some supermarkets.

People did ought to test if they are in contact with vulnerable people. My mum is on immune trashing meds so I always test.

Plenty of people still die from it.

Harsh. I wasn’t trying to diminish people’s experiences.

Of course people still test. I have a friend who is just recovering from breast cancer and also has a very vulnerable disabled daughter. She asks us to test before we meet her even if we feel OK and I'm happy to do this.

We also test at work as I work in a children's home. If we all get ill there is no one to look after the kids 24/7. Due to the nature of the children it is difficult to use agency staff so we still try to contain the virus if we can.

And this is why it’s everywhere.

Terrible attitude - basically fuck anyone vulnerable or who suffers badly with covid.

I'd think you shouldn't be visiting vulnerable relatives if you sysoected you have any illness tbh!
My dad is 3 months into recovering from a heart condition brought on by a cold (def not covid as he tested).
So I don't get testing - are you saying if you thought might have covid, but if it's negative you'd just crack on visiting your relatives?

It was the most winter-like summer in terms of weather where I am. Slightly warmer temperatures than winter, and plenty of moisture. Surely a haven for infections and viruses to breed in? And anyway, wasn't peak covid in the summer of 2020!?

Yes there is a big wave atm. Even though we are actually seeing the back of it.
The reason why we see it even though it’s summer is because Covid isn’t a winter illness, like the flu. Hence there are several waves each year.

And yes covid can be awful. It has always been like that 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

I’ve just had it - caught on an aeroplane- thankfully on the way home, not the way to our holiday!

The third time I’ve had it and definitely the worst I’ve felt- I guess because my immunity from vax and previous bouts (both 2+ years ago) has faded. I tested because I have a bunch of tests left over from when the kids were bringing them home from school, and because I was curious! DS caught it from me but didn’t feel nearly as bad as I did. I felt like grim death for a good 4 days or so then knackered for a few more.

This is madness. If you feel ill - don't visit vulnerable relatives. Why does it matter what virus it is ? Viruses are dangerous for vulnerable people. Protect them by staying away if you are ill. You do not need to test. It's really very simple.

Maybe it will help if you realise that there are no guidelines atm because our politicians have decided to ignore Covid.
But it’s Covid. It’s still as infectious as it was in 2021. It’s still as bad too. But we don’t see as many deaths because 1- the most vulnerable people have died already and 2- vaccines still sort of protect those who are eligible.

Its still Covid though, with the same severity as it had before.

Lots of people travel abroad during the summer so it's easy to see how it's transported easily. Once school starts, it circulates amongst the school kids who then spread the virus. It circulates and mutates in the general population again after October half term in time for Christmas.

So the cycle continues unless people self isolate if they catch it so they don't spread it around. It's not hard to understand how and why it spreads.

What is this weird anxiety about whether other people test or not? Are you upset that other people have a social conscience and are willing to slightly inconvenience themselves in order to protect other people?

Covid in the summer can look a lot like allergies. You might not know you are infected and infectious and elderly/immunocimprised people in your own family might not be the only people you are concerned about.

My elderly parents just gave it to me. I have just spent 10 days isolating at home so my dh and dd’s don’t catch it from me. Why? Because I don’t want to give anyone a potentially life threatening disease.

cripes! Is this really so hard to grasp.

Unlike flu covid is not seasonal, it still goes in waves just as it did in 2020.
Why do people feel the need to jump on these threads as they always do and pretend to be surprised that anyone tests for covid?
Chances are that if you have cold symptoms it's more likely covid at this time of year. Everyone I know who's come back from holiday abroad this month has developed covid.
I test because I get antiviruls. I'd test for other viruses if I could.

Covid isn't a seasonal disease. You can get it at any point.

For that matter, flu and colds aren't really seasonal as such. Cold weather just means drier air. Drier air dries out your mucus membranes, which prevents your body from defending against respiratory* *infections as effectively.

I'm sorry for your loss. And totally agree that there's a lot of complacency around not considering the vulnerable in all this.

I have it right now. Someone mentioned the eyes in a PP and mine are like that, so sore and itchy. I tested as I assumed it was a summer hayfever allergy thing but wanted to be sure as I’ve never had hayfever before or the eye bother & I don’t react well to antihistamines so didn’t want to take any if I didn’t have to. Test was positive for Covid - bad flu symptoms and the eyes! No cough yet. 60 hours in. Last week I was travelling on planes trains and tube so probably where I caught it from.

I wish everyone who has it better!

I guess I will just take a lot of care this week, and wear a mask.

I got it last month four weeks after finishing chemo. I felt absolutely fine with only a sore throat and cough. The only reason I tested is because my partner is overly concerned about everything since my cancer diagnosis and panics when there’s no need. Still love him though.

I’m sorry to hear that. I tested positive, two weeks ago, in the back of an ambulance, as part of a check to see if I had sepsis. Never been so fucking ill in my life. Still not better. Hospital said Covid is running rampant at the moment.