Covid for Christmas

I woke up with a sore throat Monday morning, after Christmas. I'm fully vaccinated, and I caught it from someone who is also fully vaccinated. I went to a Xmas Eve party and that's where it happened. It only took two days for me to start having symptoms. I let guard down because of being vaccinated. I wanted to relax and enjoy myself and I did. 

I was suspicious right away. It did not feel like allergies or dry throat. However, some people talked me down saying that it was the weather. I have a friend who is medical assistant, and I got a rapid test right away. It was negative. So, I became less concerned. I wasn't due to go back to work until Wednesday, so I had time and just stayed away from people. The sore throat felt similar to strep throat, and I wondered if I needed antibiotics. 

On Tuesday morning, I did the home test again. It looked negative with only one line. I thought it was negative and set the little test thing on my dresser. Later, back in my room, I happened to look at it again and there was the second line. I was like "What!!!"  I wasn't even going to look at it again, but for some reason I did. At this point, all hell broke loose. Other people from the party also tested positive. It was just chaos. I feared my elderly Dad would get it. He was certainly exposed to it. 

I work for hospital, and I had to call their Covid hotline. I was on hold for over an hour. I also had to inform my manager and a bunch of other people. I ended up getting an appointment for a lab test at 3 p.m. because they want solid proof. Got the result Wednesday morning and it was positive, of course.

I never got a fever. Just the sore throat, headache, congested, running noise, and coughing. The coughing is due to an irritated throat. I quarantined myself to the back room and double masked around my Dad, staying away from him as much as possible. So far, he's okay. One odd thing, it made me hungrier than usual and eating made me feel better. 

I learned some things by the experience. Vaccinated people can get Covid and spread it. Most likely it's the Omicron variant. The home test is not accurate. Another person I know had it and tested negative. I don't recommend trusting a negative on a home/rapid test. The incubation period is only two days. It spreads like crazy. Not everyone at the party got it. Maybe the vaccine worked better for them. It can't be determined. I am still glad I am fully vaccinated because I think it helped. If it keeps you out of the hospital, it's worth it. 

Anyway, it was a rough time, and my time off was pretty much ruined. I'm much better, and grateful for vaccines. Don't let your guard down and be safe.