Covid and clinically vulnerable and antivirals

[galliton]

Hi, I am looking for people's experience of taking the antivirals and if that seems to help shorten this illness.

I have just tested positive and I am clinically vulnerable due to a chest condition. It is very likely I will need to start antibiotics but I don't know if I should also get the antiviral which I am entitled to. I don't want to take unnecessary meds but just not sure what to do for the best.

Thanks for any advice.

I've had covid nine times and antivirals four times. They were absolutely brilliant and I felt better almost immediately. However they've now stopped offering them for people with my condition/medication - I still have the letter saying I'm eligible but it seems not to be the case now. Apparently they changed the criteria a few months ago.

I hope you'll be able to get yours OP - I would definitely recommend them if you can. Have you had covid before? How many vaccinations have you had?

Thanks for your reply, Glorious. Sorry to hear that you have had Covid so much. This is my first time and I have had four jabs. I registered my test and requested the antivirals but I have heard nothing so i suspect I am no longer eligible as well.

I have been really ill for a fortnight with this and a severe chest infection for which I have antibiotics. It seems the strain doing the rounds at the moment is nasty as even fit people are getting very unwell.

Have you only been offered 4 doses of vaccine? I ask because I'm clinically vulnerable and I've had 6.
I had covid very badly in 2021, was hospitalised.
2022 got it again and got the phone call about anti virals. You have to register the positive test online and start the avs within 5 days so it's probably too late for you now.
The doctor warned me about side effects and we agreed I wouldn't take them.

I did have a really bad chest infection in January, not covid, took weeks to recover and two different antibiotics.
Maybe go back to GP?

I tested positive for the first time on Tuesday. Ive had four jabs and was in the process of finding out why I haven't been offered more and booking. I reported the positive test as I am ECV and, in theory, eligible for antivirals. The GP knew nothing about it but referred on and I have been sent the antivirals. I feel like I've got a bit of a cold, no temperature or chills, aches and pains. Slept like a log last night. I'm not sure whether to take them

I have had the antiviral infusion, went to hospital, and it took a couple of hours.

I had to call 111 as it was the weekend, and they weren't much help, but I called my GP on the Monday, got a phone call in the afternoon and was booked in the next day.

I didn't find it shortened the length of COVID, but as soon as I tested negative I felt well, and didn't suffer long COVID. Whereas the previous 2 times it took me months to feel better.

If I test positive again, and unless I'm not eligible, I will have the antivirals again.

I hope you are too ill with it.

Aren't too ill*

I had antivirals last year with my second covid infection. It was an IV then. They appeared to work quickly.

The third time I missed the date for taking them due to hospital worker strikes, but it wasn't as bad an infection that time.
I then got it again 6 weeks later and didn't hear back from the antiviral clinic so not sure if still eligible - my paperwork says I am but I know the criteria has recently changed and it is much more restricted.

They still do i/v but it's pills for five days if your symptoms are not too severe. I'm still in two minds, I need to decide by 10pm. I suppose the only reason I wouldn't take them is in case of side effects but that doesn't usually put me off treatments I need. I've never had Covid before so I have no comparison and I feel fairly well

I've taken my first dose this morning...

The only side effect I had was a disgusting taste in my mouth, no other problems
I felt better very quickly, tested negative then got paxlovid rebound, tested positive and felt a bit rough again

I was warned about the nasty taste in the mouth. If that's all then it's not so bad