Scared about catching latest Covid strain

[Thegrassroots26]

Work in large secondary with many young people in one place. In classrooms all day. I don’t do well when I get sick and I’m scared of getting ill again as lots of kids seem to have a ‘cold’.
Am I being ridiculous? Every time I catch it I end up so unwell and in bed for weeks.

Unfortunately Covid is out there circulating along with the other viruses.

Is a large secondary school the right place for you to work if you are worried about being ill? Schools are a constant source of viruses and germs. Not just Covid.

Hopefully the vaccination will soon become a paid for option for those that want to have it annually, just like the flu jab.

If you can afford to pay for it I would get a vaccination.
Assuming you don’t qualify for an NHS one because hardly anybody does these days.
I had them for several years because I have a compromised immune system from cancer treatment but under the changed rules last year, and I expect the same this year too, I no longer qualify so I pay.
Boots charged £98 last year.

Yes I saw that it was £98 in boots and had considered it, but is very costly. Paid for the flu one but that was only £9 so much more affordable.

No, a school probably isn’t the right place for me, but struggling to get out at the moment and I’ve been there many years, so it’s better the devil you know sometimes.

Also only very recently had the flu one, so wouldn’t get the Covid one until October, and by then I could’ve caught it already, so is it worth paying almost £100..?

Get the vaccine and stock up on Boots dual defence.

@Thegrassroots26only you know if it is worth paying £100 ish for the vaccine as only you know how ill you get. I paid for whooping cough and RSV last year and that was much more than £100 but I felt it was worth it. As for having Covid and flu jabs close together, those who are invited to have them on the NHS have both jabs on the same day, one in each arm so that would suggest there are no concerns about that. Why not speak to a local pharmacist and get some clarity? Wishing you all the best. I hate winter too, because of all the respiratory illnesses that are floating about. That's why for me paying for the vaccine I wasn't entitled to was definitely worth it.

Why would you need to wait until October?

Was just thinking I should space the vaccines out and have it slightly closer to proper winter… I’m also not super happy about paying almost £100. But I know that I potentially run a higher risk of getting ill, but I could’ve already caught it this week at school for all I know.

If things like colds, flu, covid make you very ill, it makes sense to get whatever vaccines you can.

I don’t bother because I’m blessed with a robust immune system. My friend is the opposite and gets the flu jab without fail.

You have reason to be worried this year - I have just had it - and it was the worst one I have ever had (hospitalised) and I am healthy and generally will, youngish. It has the added bonus of gastric symptoms this time. Get the vaccine and try to take precautions whilst you organise it. If I could have paid to avoid being so ill, I would have done.

Live abroad and a colleague has it

So yes, it appears to be back

I had it a couple of weeks ago. I felt so ill - sore throat like razor blades, still have the cough, and got the shits too, for good measure. I was off sick for a week.

I've got it at the moment. It's no fun but no worse than a bad cold plus a temperature for one day only

For you.

That really doesn’t sound anything like the latest strain. Even my kids have been in bed for days with the latest Nimbus strain. I was tested in hospital so I have been clinically diagnosed.

It’s best to get the word out about this strain, and people can protect themselves before the winter sets in (If they need to)

With kindness @Thegrassroots26 what do you want to happen? You have the option of getting the vaccine for under £100. You don't want to pay that. For a random reason that's not evidenced based you've decided if you DO get it you need to space it from flu?! NHS give them to vulnerable people on same day.

You work in a setting that's known for germs.

You either need to change career or get the vaccine if you want to protect yourself. As well as doing the usual hang hygiene, sanitiser on your work lanyard, open windows even a little bit for air circulation in class room.

I say that as someone who works in this setting too and who was on shielding list. Covid isn't going away. Society isn't interested in stopping it. You can be as angry about that as you want but it's not going to change the facts.

You have options. You need to do something.

Your thinking does seem to have got a bit muddled. You want to leave the vaccine closer to winter but are also worried you might have already caught it last week? I get the worry, but don’t let it stop you acting.

Covid is no longer seasonal like flu. January was the lowest prevalence this year so far. But it’s increasing again now, and you’re back in school, so now is the time to get the vaccine.

As pps have said, it’s not necessary to space it away from your flu vaccine.

You could easily gradually waste £98 on non-essentials (unless you live incredibly frugally) so if you are seriously concerned about getting ill, the cost of the vaccine is a no-brainer. Getting ill also usually involves spending a fair amount on various products to try to alleviate symptoms.

To help you make your decisions more evidence-based, a data analyst, Bob Hawkins, produces a weekly report on the current situation with Covid and other respiratory diseases:

I've got it now and sympathise. I never used to bother too much but I think I've developed a bit of health anxiety (what if it ISN'T fine sort of a thing). Also struggle with the emotional symptoms of COVID- I find it makes me quite dysphoric.

I agree with paying for the vaccine in your line of work. Annoying to have to pay but good for peace of mind.

I had the vaccine but sadly it didn't protect me this year.

It's a nasty one, the cough is still going four weeks later. My usually low blood pressure went through the roof for a few weeks too. The emergency and then follow up oral steroids didn't even touch it like they usually would (asthma).

Thankfully seems to be improving a little every day, but it's been horrendous. Luckily asthmatic dd seemed to get over it much quicker.

The vaccine has never totally prevented you catching Covid, but reduces the severity, that’s the protection it provides.

keep washing your hands,
before you eat,
after you blow your noise
keep up the hygeine
take vitamin d and c

Absolutely, God knows how bad it would have been without it!

Yes, much like those who suffer very badly presumably...all experiences are relevant.

Only really relevant if you have a confirmed clinical case of the newest strain.

There are lots of the usual seasonal colds doing the rounds, and it sounds like that is what you have. Trust me, you will know the difference

Haven’t heard anything about the latest Covid strain. Are you testing then? Didn’t even k ow that was still available.