What happened to the Covid-19 virus?

[Labubus]

Is the COVID-19 virus still going around? Or has the vaccine controlled it?

I recently travelled to a few different countries in SE Asia (where lockdown was stricter than UK), and it wasn’t mentioned once!

It's out if style like skinny jeans.

Is the COVID-19 virus still going around? Or has the vaccine controlled it?

Both, obviously.

Plus most people don't test anymore so they wouldn't have a clue if they have it or not when they're ill.

Skinny jeans are like leggings.

They'll NEVER go away 🤣🤣

Haha

Is the COVID-19 virus still going around? Or has the vaccine controlled it?

Yes and yes.

Two of my friends currently have it. Fewer people test for it these days, but people who have vulnerable family members and friends still test for obvious reasons.

There are variants about. You might not know about them if noone is testing for it now.

It continues to mutate and circulate just like most viruses.

Still around and still a nasty illness.

Dp’s dad died in May. Covid was the specific illness that triggered his final rapid decline and it’s one of the causes on his death certificate. He also had had a chronic cancer for 5 years which was treated with immune system suppression.

It is now endemic here and worldwide.

It circulates in it's many different variants, mutating further as it goes.

Most of us have a level of immunity to it acquired through vaccinations and /or exposure on a regular basis - sometimes becoming unwell, sometimes not.

Yes, 2 friends of mine separately have had it in the last 2 weeks after coming back from holiday. In bed for a couple of days as felt rough.

All viruses change over time. They often change to be slightly less harmful because a virus is generally most successful in being passed on if it doesn't make people so ill that they have to stay at home. The most successful varient of a virus will be the ones to reproduce and survive. Many people will have some immunity through vaccines and having had it before so they will only catch it again when their immunity reduces or the virus is substantially different to the version which they developed immunity to.

It's still circulating in its latest form.

I caught it late 2024, for the first time. The vaccines are wearing off, the virus is altering, and I guess my immunity to that particular strain wasn't sufficient to protect me completely. But I was back on my feet in a week.

The immuno-suppressed and the very frail still need to be careful, most of the rest of us can now fight it off effectively.

I currently have it - as confirmed by two tests.

This time round it's not been as violent as the first time, about 2 years ago which went into pleurisy and I had a day of not being able to raise my head and high temperatures.

However this time it feels like a heavy head cold mostly, not totally stuck in bed, but exhaustion, sinus pain, headache, totally stuffed up and limbs aching. I don't normally get colds badly, which is why I tested.

I also have a really painful rash. I've got clusters of what look a bit like large red boils in various places. They are immensely itchy and very painful if knocked. I'm on day 5 and honestly I don't feel much better than day 1.
I'm also beginning to feel an ache in my chest that last time was the beginning of pleurisy, so I'm hoping that's not coming back.

I need to message my line manager and ask what he wants me to do, because I'm capable of getting into work and working, but we have vulnerable people there. My job doesn't brilliantly translate to wfh, but I can do something if I drive in and pick up my laptop, and I was on annual leave last week so there is a lot to do.

I know two people who have been completely flattened by Covid in the past week or so, so it's very much still around.

Just had a nasty dose of it. Into week 4 and still feeling wiped out. Of the rest of the family 2 had no symptoms and 2 had cold symptoms for a few days. So it's still about, just different people react in different ways.

I have had it once in Jan 2021, DH just had it for the 3rd time, it floored him this time, I kissed him but did not get it again, strange🤔

I caught it on a plane recently. I didn't know I'd had it - mild sore throat & slightly runny nose, but someone who I was with tested & they were positive. It's only the second time I've knowingly had it.

My DW is in hospital and apparently has covid, l didnt even know they tested anymore, I dont feel great so guessing l have it as well, but im still allowed to vist.

I had a brief skirmish with something that gave me several days of the shivers, a slight upset stomach, a cold and a sore throat a couple of weeks ago. It felt like the start of Covid when I had it before, but it didn't come to anything. I didn't bother testing to find out though.

I had it in November. Tested because it didn’t feel like a normal cold and I have a housebound elderly mum and also we can wfh when testing positive. I ended up taking two days off sick as I felt awful and as I had a positive this wasn’t questioned. Although my work is really good about sick leave anyway

Is the rash just on one side of your body?

I just had it 4 weeks ago (3rd time since 2022) and whatever this variant is it really did a number on me. I felt absolutely dreadful for a week, couldn’t get out of bed for 5 days and have been left with horrible digestive issues. Confirmed by a LF as I has some in the house. I haven’t had any vaccines since the inital two back in 2021 as the vaccines gave me horrendous mouth ulcers, oral thrush and played havoc with my autoimmune condition.

Just this moment tested positive, I’ve not had it before. Test produced a very strong line after only ten seconds.
Spent most of last night awake not able to get either too hot or cold. Eventually zonked out around 8am and woke at midday feeling actually not too bad, or at least a little better. Lots of rest on the cards for me now, I had the first 2/3 vaccinations but nothing in the last couple years.

No. It's in patches, mostly on my limbs, but the first (and worst) patch was on one of my hips.
I initially thought I'd been bitten - as we were away I was checking the bed for bedbugs, but dh (who is normally an excellent protection against being bitten as he tastes so much better) had none, and there isn't a bite centre.

Currently in patches of 3-9 spots on:
Left top of arm (pretty much all over)
Left lower arm just below elbow
Left elbow
Left hip
Right shoulder blade
Right next to arm pit
Right elbow
Right knee
Right mid lower leg
Centre lower back
Possibly a couple round hair line

The worst look a bit like chickenpox spots, but around 1cm across and filled with something which makes the middle a bit whiter. I've had chickenpox and it's not where I get shingles (that's centre back just under my brastrap!)

I currently have it. Was infected by DS who had a throatache for 2 days that we thought nothing about. I have got a mild fever, aching body, running nose, throatache and headache. It's been 5 days now.. I only know because I went to the Dr being sure I had a step throat and he tested for covid and flu to be sure...