My husband tested positive for Covid.

[MontanaMama]

He’s fully vaxxed and boosted. I woke up with his same symptoms but tested negative as did our 16 year old son. I can’t imagine that I won’t test positive soon..we live, work and sleep together for Pete’s sake. Both the kiddo and I are vaxxed and boosted. I am betting it is omicron. One of our employees tested positive this week as did his young daughter..they attended a family Christmas celebration where all attendees who could be vaccinated and boosted were and more than half of them now have Covid.

Steering clear of people and religious mask wearing is my only recommendation. Be safe people. I love you all.

[Nevilledog]

1. Was reading that using the swab in the throat is more accurate than nose for Omicron.

Hope you all feel better soon.

[liberalla]

43. I saw a piece on TV about that. They ended up doing both tests on a woman at the same time.

The nasal test was negative, while the throat was positive. A doctor said the viral load is greater in the throat and will give a positive result sooner.

It's probably a good idea to test for the virus in your throat instead of your nose.

[Ms. Toad]

46. The suggestion I saw was

to swab the throat, then both nostrils usung the same swab.

[Nevilledog]

51. Glad they didn't recommend nose first.....

[Talitha]

69. Ya got that right - - Ewwwww!

[MontanaMama]

56. Doesn't it depend on the test?

Ours said to swab the nose.

[Ms. Toad]

66. The test itself says to swab the nose.

What people are finding, aecdotally, is that the nose swab on antigen tests is missing a fair number of positives.

Based on where Omicron seems to focus - base of the throat - people started experimenting and found they got positive results when the nasal swab, alone, had been negative.

Earlier this month, Jacklyn Grace Lacey tested herself for COVID-19 using a home kit. First, she did it the usual way, sticking the swab up her nose. It came back negative.

Instead of stopping there, Lacey, who works as a medical anthropologist at the American Museum of Natural History, “decided to biohack on myself.” The omicron variant was circulating quickly around New York City, and the literature suggested that the variant might replicate faster in the piping of one’s lungs, as opposed to one’s nasal cavity. So she did another test, sticking the swab down her throat. This time, the test yielded that telltale pink line.

Lacey, who had stocked up on rapid tests over the summer, took this as a clear sign she had COVID—but she kept swabbing via the traditional method out of curiosity. After 36 hours, Lacey finally got a positive result from a nasal swab, too. “I was pleased to learn my hypothesis was correct,” she told me via Twitter DM (she was still sick and not up for talking on the phone). But she was concerned about what her experiment might mean for others who were relying on tests to screen before holiday gatherings. She changed her name on Twitter to “Throat Swabs 4 Omicron ASAP.” Before long, she was retweeting someone else who got a positive with the same method.

https://slate.com/technology/2021/12/throat-swab-rapid-testing-omicron-effective.html

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

88. Good to know!

Thanks for the info.

[COL Mustard]

52. See! Bleach or mouthwash would work!

[malaise]

2. Hope he recovers quickly

Stay safe montanaMama

[greatauntoftriplets]

3. Take care of yourself.

My niece had it over Christmas -- yes, she's vaxxed and boosted. She described as like the worst head cold ever. Lots of sneezing and blowing, a low fever, and feeling sic, but not horribly so.

Get well soon!

[Freddie]

6. So did my 22-year old niece

Vaxxed and boostered, got it anyway, felt like a bad cold for a week and she’s fine now. Her dad (my brother), a cancer survivor, tested negative.

[greatauntoftriplets]

31. And my great-niece now seems to have it, though she's tested negative twice at home.

It's a crafty bug.

[ProfessorGAC]

17. I'm Dubious Re: My Negative

One at home, one at doctor's clinic.
They officially diagnosed it as a cold, but I've never had a cold this drippy & drainy. And, this is the 12th day and it's not quite gone. I don't recall ever having a cold that lasted more than 8 or 9 days.
Of course, I've never been 65 before.
But, this was one aggressive cold, if that indeed, is what it was.
Too late to do anything about it now, but I'm now wondering if it wasn't omicron.

[greatauntoftriplets]

30. It may have been omicron. Certainly fits my niece's description.

My niece recovered in five days, though she had expected to be sicker longer than that. She had tested positive at home and at the doctor. Messed up our Christmas.

Now her daughter, my great niece seems to have something. She's tested negative twice at home. Went to the doctor Friday and was tested, but I haven't heard the results yet.

I hope you start feeling better soon.

[ProfessorGAC]

41. Thanks

I'm feeling way better today. But, the 22nd to the 25th I was wrecked.
I planned to do scallops & risotto on Christmas day & had to push it off a day. Even then, it didn't come out like it usually does because my focus was poor.
Until about this past Thursday, I felt crummy. Last 3 days have been progressively better.
Happy New Year, Auntie! Still digging retirement as much as I do?
If this COVID thing ever breaks, maybe i could drive up there one day & we'll have lunch.

[greatauntoftriplets]

42. I'm happy to hear that you're finally feeling better.

That took a while and certainly spoiled your Christmas plans.

I like not having to work anymore, but miss the paycheck. Still sort of laid up after my ankle fracture last year in combination with my bad knee. Thinking about replacement surgery, but not while COVID is raging the way it is. Lunch one of these days sounds good.

[left-of-center2012]

4. Five of my relatives have come down with covid

All had their two vaccinations plus the booster.

They are in Ohio;
I am in New Mexico

[VarryOn]

20. I got a text about an hour ago...

That my wife and imay have been exposed at her family's Christmas gathering. Her neice and her boyfriend just test positive. We don't know their vaccination status, but we have both had all three jabs. So, we'll be fine if we end up with it.

I think we'll here lots of stories just like yours and ours.

[left-of-center2012]

39. "We'll be fine ..."

Hopefully.

Right now my relatives are dealing with very severe flu-like symptoms
and each have to quarantine for 10 days.

They range in age from 30 to 80.
Some are sicker than others.

[VarryOn]

71. I really do believe we'd be fine if we tested positive....

Last edited Sun Jan 2, 2022, 09:27 PM - Edit history (1)

Still, I hope not to get it.

Anyone vaxxed has .0005% of being hospitalized (1 in 5K) and the chance of death is .001% (1 in 10K). The source I found for these numbers was from September, so they wouldn't include the omicron variant. If they did, they'd probably be lower.

So, yes, there is a non-zero chance from either hospitalization or death happening. But it's so very low, for me personally, it doesn't worry my wife or me. But, I know different people have different tolerances for various risks.

I'm far from being flip about the whole deal. I just want to show optimism, something this world needs right now.

Yesterday, my wife and I counted the friends, family and acquaintance we know that have tested positive since around Thanksgiving. We came up with 18. Most are people we go to church with. About half, had minor or no symptoms. We know of four who found out via a test before minor medical procedure and never had symptoms.

We know of one the 18 who was hospitalized, and she spent only three nights there. She's a big woman with HBP and diabetes.

Several felt like hell for a couple days but have recovered.

Anyone e I've talked to that had monoclonal antibodies are big fans. Both my in-laws received them. Within hours, both began to feel better.

I don't want covid, nor do I want those I know (or even don't know) to get it. But, I dont see it as a death sentence.

[crimycarny]

91. +1000

Seemed a bit insensitive to reply to your post with "we'll be fine" in quotes as if to say "yah, not necessarily".

The statistics agree with you and it's certainly important to keep an optimistic and positive attitude when sick--with ANYTHING--versus being overly stressed out.

If you got the regular flu, and you posted about it and said you know you'll be fine, and someone responded with "we'll be fine" in quotes and went on to list dire symptoms their acquaintances experienced, wouldn't that be seen as a bit odd?

FWIW, I've known several people know who have gotten both Delta and Omicron. Of those vaxxed, they were all fine. A friend was completely asymptomatic with Delta as was her family. Everyone I've known whose gotten sick lately--so assume Omicron--has had nothing worse than a bad cold. Most felt much better after 72 hours.

[ismnotwasm]

5. Yeah my husband and I are both positive.

It’s very mild, my husband is sicker, I’m ok. I can’t work though, and we are so short staffed

We have a patient on my unit who has been there over a month. We do weekly surveillance on patients. He’s come up positive. This particular patient is not fully vaccinated for a variety of reasons. My point is, he either got it from staff somehow, but more likely a family member.

My hospital has initiated stricter visitation until this wave recedes.


Be well

[Irish_Dem]

7. Sending good vibes your way...

Thank God all of you are vaxxed and boosted.

[MontanaMama]

57. Right?

I can’t imagine if we weren’t. I’m worried enough as it is.

[Irish_Dem]

61. I know, but you have a lot of vaccine in your systems.

Try to stay calm and let it do its job.

Stay warm, rest, good nutrition.
(Advice my mother always taught me, she was a nurse during the polio epidemic.)

[cilla4progress]

8. Crap, MM. How is he doing?

Hope ok.

I'm in MT now with my daughter who lives here. Did the 9 hour drive back with her after Christmas. She was vaxxed and boosted and yet got covid a couple weeks before Thanksgiving. Her symptoms were minimal - isolating, for a 28 year old, was the worst impact for her. I will be assiduouly masking while here! Even though my daughter tells me masking is rare here.

Best wishes to you and your family, Mama, for good health. Please stay in touch. Will be thinking of you!

[MontanaMama]

11. Thanks cilla.

He’s got cold symptoms. Nothing horrible, just annoying. 🤞

[cilla4progress]

14. Ok.

Thanks for the update.

Stay safe!

[ratchiweenie]

48. MM, so glad he's not really sick. We're out in Lolo and since I never go anywhere and my grandson

has been off school for over 2 weeks I haven't actually paid attention to how quickly omicrom is spreading in Missoula. I did get the memo saying they had hoped to open the school without masks but that is out the door due to the increase in cases. Hope your husband gets well soon and none of you get really sick. Do you have a retail business I could frequent when I finally do venture out for more than a visit to my doctor or pharmacist or to take someone else to a doctor or pharmacist? LOL. Ratchi.

[MontanaMama]

60. Hi neighbor!

I’m so worried about school reopening tomorrow. We’ve not been around anyone other than employees and even then we’re blessed enough that we have two buildings and can keep our distance from each other. We didn’t even get together with local family for Christmas.

We do have a business in Missoula and would love to meet you in person when we can be assured we’re safe. Let’s look forward to that.

[ratchiweenie]

65. Yes, would love to meet you. We returned to Missoula just before all this started. We

bought a total rehab in Lolo and were so busy we didn't go anywhere except to Home Resource and Tractor Supply and then all of a sudden, we couldn't. I'm 72 and Phil is 76 and has a weak heart valve which he needs to get fixed but his doc has been putting it off until it's safe. At this point, they may just have to go ahead and fix it. It's just an overnight in the hospital and he says they have separated the covid wing completely now from the day surgery etc. Take care of yourselves and we'll meet up when the city is sorta back to normal.

[MontanaMama]

67. Oh how I love Home Resource!

I love donating to them and I love scavenging around there for unknown treasures. Our shop is in that general neighborhood so when the time comes you’ll have no trouble finding me.

Here’s to meeting one day soon! 🥂

[captain queeg]

9. It certainly seems like omicron is milder than past variants

Or maybe it’s that a lot of people who are getting it have been vaxxed previously. From what I’ve read most people being hospitalized are unvaxxed. This surge has been so sudden it doesn’t seem like we’ve got good information yet. And the delta strain is still fairly common from what I’ve read. I guess all you can do is continue to be cautious and hope the vaccines will keep you from getting too sick. Starting to sound like we’ll all get it sooner or later.

[MontanaMama]

12. Yeah like over 90% of hospitalized Covid patients are unvaccinated.

I’m pissed off about this but being vaxxed and boosted I feel confident we will avoid serious illness or worse.

[LisaL]

85. Don't assume it.

Do you have risk factors? Call your doctor if so. You might qualify for Pfizer's new anti-virals.

[MontanaMama]

89. I don't have any risk factors that I know of.

I just had my annual physical last week and all was good including labs. I am continuing to monitor my symptoms. I’ll call if anything starts to not feel right. I do think it is important to know your body.

[luvtheGWN]

93. Remember how we heard about herd immunity way back when?

Well, perhaps omicron is the answer to it! I have also read that for those of us who are double vaxxed and boosted, if we do get a breakthrough case, we have a very good chance of becoming totally immune to any future variant.

Of course, that may or may not be true

[chowder66]

10. It took 5 tests over 2 or 3 days for my friend to test positive fwiw.

[MontanaMama]

15. Yes.

I can’t imagine I’m not positive. I have the same symptoms. We’re still isolating just in case.

[SheltieLover]

13. Wishing you all a full, quick recovery!

[Diamond_Dog]

16. I hope you all feel better soon, MM!

[hermetic]

18. Oh dear,

I do hope you guys get better soon; that your symptoms are mild. Sending healing thoughts and vibes your way.

[Cha]

19. So very Sorry, MontanaMama!

How is your husband feeling now.. I hope he's healing from the Virus.

They say being vaxxed and boosted make symptoms less severe.

I hope you and your son don't get it! 💙

[electric_blue68]

21. Good luck to all of you!

[mahina]

22. Holding you and your family in my thoughts.

May it be easy on you all as possible. Please let us know how you are doing. Aloha.

[Moostache]

23. I truly hope you all get nothing more serious than you already have experienced...

May the trend of serious illness for vaxxed/boosted hold true for you and yours...

[CottonBear]

24. Dang! So sorry to hear about this.

My son and I tried to get together with his dad‘s family on the day after Christmas, but we all had to go back home after his aunt tested positive. We hadn’t seen them since early November of 2019.

My son’s uncle is a doctor. Dr. Uncle bought rapid tests for everyone who was going to gather for our traditional Boxing Day family dinner (my son’s grandmother was a English WWII war bride).
My son’s aunt and his doctor uncle are siblings to my son’s dad.

Only the vaccinated (and boosted for those eligible) were invited, which was the entire family.
We believe in science.

We all stayed outside, masked up, and in the backyard while each family member got a nasal swab from the doctor (My son’s uncle). When my son’s aunt tested positive, she was tested again about 30 minutes later and she tested positive again. So, we all exchanged gifts out in the yard, got in our cars and went back home.

The aunt was totally asymptomatic. She’s retired. However, she had lunch at a friend’s house on December 20. That’s probably where she got it.

We hope to see each other again in a few years. This pandemic sucks.

[Kali]

25. sorry to hear that

starting to feel kind of inevitable now. I am finally getting my booster on Tuesday. I blew off getting it in October as I had a kind of strong reaction to my flu shot and was having surgery soon after. didn't want to be down for that. then holidays, blah blah blah. I am feeling a little regretful about waiting. on the positive side, I don't go anywhere or have much contact with other people so somewhat less risk in general but still this bugger seems so damn contagious.

[LoisB]

26. I hope all turns out well for everyone. Take care and stay safe.

[gademocrat7]

27. Wishing you and your family a speedy recovery.

Take care.

[LaMouffette]

28. I'm so sorry to hear of your husband's diagnosis, MontanaMama!

I hope he has the mildest of the "mild symptoms" they are claiming people with Omicron get and that you and your son somehow manage not to get it, too.

I'm still baffled and angry at all the people I see out and about here in Montana, not wearing masks and with a defiant look on their smug faces. Do they not watch any news except for Faux News??? Do they not care about the surge in hospitalizations, especially the huge increase in kids being hospitalized? Apparently not.

[sheshe2]

29. Take care of yourselves, MM.

[H2O Man]

32. Recommended.

I'm sorry that you & family are dealing with this. I hope that you all feel better soon.

Your message about taking care is essential. Thank you for that.

[oldtime dfl_er]

33. Thank heaven you're all vaxxed and boosted

Here's hoping it's no worse than a bad cold for you. Heal up!

[Bayard]

34. Be well, Mr. & Mrs. Montana

I'm wondering if I should get tested. Had both Pfizers and a Moderna booster. But my annual sinus infection has been wiping me out for over a week. Not the usual.

[MontanaMama]

58. Please test.

We had a little sniffle before Christmas that resolved quickly and then this hit overnight. As the day wears on, I am becoming symptomatic…runny nose, light cough and a sore throat. I can’t imagine I’m not positive but won’t test again until tomorrow morning. Stay safe Bayard.

[barbtries]

35. My niece's husband got it at a family gathering.

he was vaccinated but not boosted, she's boosted and so far negative. They have 2 young boys who most likely have it as well, hopefully all will be tested.

Apparently he's feeling fine. He's 37 years old and obese, which worries me, but so far it appears to be a mild case.

[Heartstrings]

36. Healing vibes sent......

[LetMyPeopleVote]

37. Stay safe and I hope that everyone has mild cases

[erronis]

38. "religious mask wearing" is as close as I ever want to get to any form of religion.

And I'm pretty devout about that.

[MontanaMama]

62. We don't go anywhere without masks.

There’s no downside to wearing them. Pretty sure we got this from an employee at our business.

[Jon King]

40. Vaccine, boosted, and Omicron means you are super immune

The bright side is your family will be super immunized from Covid. Studies show a combo of vaccines, boosters, followed by infection leads to about as much immunity as you can get. Remember the vaccine and booster does prevent infection in some people so certainly you and son can be negative while husband is positive.

[MontanaMama]

63. I just need a super hero cape!

As the day wears on and I’m doing my usual mom chores to get everyone ready for the week, I am getting symptoms. I hope I continue to test negative…I’ll take another test in the morning.

[lillypaddle]

44. Here's hoping he recovers fully

and that you and your son evade this damn virus! Take care.

[Solly Mack]

45. Wishing you all the best!

[Maru Kitteh]

47. Did you get a PCR? You're undoubtedly positive, I'm sorry to say.

Hoping the best for you and your family MM. I don’t know about you, but I’m convinced our actual positive cases are about 3x higher here than what’s being reported.

Freakin’ Giant-farty and Qs have doomed us all.

[MontanaMama]

64. No PCR. Hubs took an antigen test because

it’s all we could get our hands on. 15 minute wait time and his was positive after 10 minutes. We have 3 more tests here at the house and I’ll test again in the morning but I’m sure I’m positive. I’ve got all the symptoms. Dammit!

Giant-farty is a cretin. He has doomed us for sure.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

49. "religious mask wearing"?

Curious to the meaning. My brother who is a recovering addict and has spent time in prison is trying to convince me masks are useless. Telling me I'm living in fear, I turned it on him and asked why was he afraid of masks? He bellowed something in response and I hung up on him.

It does seem that he has made "tfgism" his religion. And a belief system which can't be proven is our clear and present danger.

[ARPad95]

53. I took "religious mask wearing" to mean she's recommending mask wearing wherever and whenever

there's the slightest possibility of transmission because of the highly contagious nature of omicron.

[Hekate]

54. It is a common figure of speech to say someone "does something religiously" when you mean...

… that it is an assiduous practice of theirs. With overtones of it being no fun, but it’s a serious obligation.

He rides that bike of his religiously — meaning every day, like it’s going to ensure his robust health against everything, including old age. She studies for her school exams religiously — same thing.

“Do you floss your teeth?” the hygienist asks. “Religiously!” says the patient who has no sign of gum disease.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

70. I suspected that it was. But given today' vernacular I wasn't sure.

Plus religion is an extremely hot topic which can be used as a weapon. Going to the dentist every six months "religiously" is a wise move and promoted by dentists. But I can see where the freaked out libertarian would misinterpret it. And since this is a super contagious virus that kills randomly, we ought to be messaging better than we are.

[Hekate]

50. Thanks MM and all for this thread of info. On the one hand it's good to know it CAN be a "bad cold"...

On the other hand, I suspect the entire country is going to have a brush with this one, one way or another.

All of you, take care, get well soon. DU hugs.

[yardwork]

55. Take care of yourself.

I had it last month. Fully vaxxed and boosted. Nobody in my household ever tested positive but I think I had the Delta strain, which is less infectious.

If your husband is eligible, look into getting the monoclonal antibody treatment. It was free and apparently helps prevent worsening symptoms.

[LAS14]

59. I heard on TV from some source that I normally trust that ...

... monochlonal antibodies don't work on omicron.

[MontanaMama]

72. They don't.

I hope it doesn’t get to that point…

[LisaL]

84. There is one company that makes antibodies which work against Omicron.

"When administered within the first few days of illness, sotrovimab can keep someone’s symptoms mild – and keep them out of the hospital. The drug reduced the risk of hospitalization or death by 79 percent in a clinical trial.


https://www.10news.com/news/in-depth/in-depth-where-to-find-the-only-antibody-treatment-that-fights-omicron-in-san-diego

[bluestarone]

68. Just a SHOUT out to you guys!

Hope you all get better!! Take care.

[MontanaMama]

76. Thanks friend.

We aren’t feeling great tonight but I am headed to bed and hope tomorrow is a better day.

[WVreaper]

73. I contacted covid in March of 2020

When covid was still just entering the country my wife and I went on a ski trip to Colorado. I was suffering from the flu beforer we left but hey, by the time we get there I will be fine. Took a day longer to recover than I expected, so my wife skied the first day without me. On the way home the shit hit the fan. "If you have been in Gunnison County you must quarentine for two weeks. There are FOUR active cases." The reasomn I am writing this to you, about a month later, my toes turned purple, felt lioke first degree burns on the pads. Covid toe. That was not flu that I had, but covid. My wife and I rode in the same car to Colorado and back and she never got sick...

[MyMission]

87. Many were and are asymptomatic

Your wife never showed symptoms, but she probably did contract the virus, even if she didn't get sick....
Hope you're both doing well now, and can enjoy a ski trip this year.

[Dorian Gray]

74. My in laws

are in the same boat. He's positive. She's not (yet). Both boosted in Nov. Luckily it's mild in him. I also have a bunch of friends who are currently positive.... biding our time until we are, as well. (We are in NYC after all. Seems almost inescapable.)

Hope he doesn't get too sick and you manage to slip it.

Your body is still building antibodies from the booster and from his infection at home. So hopefully you'll be stronger than ever after this is done.

[MontanaMama]

77. Thanks. I sure hope so.

Honestly,I’m scared. My symptoms have escalated all day and are now worse that hubs. I’m guessing there’s a positive test in my future tomorrow morning. Hoping that they are short lived and I will have Covid superpowers by weeks end. I’ll keep you all,posted.

[Dorian Gray]

78. Take advil and try to sleep!

Hydration and getting up and moving around are all important, too.

I'm sorry you're feeling bad and probably worried like hell.

Here's to a quick turnaround.

[2naSalit]

75. Oh shit.

I hope he doesn't have a rough time of it.

Take care and keep us posted, when you can.

[MontanaMama]

79. I know.

So not ideal. He has congestion and a cough…some body aches. As of tonight, I have body aches, a cough and a sore throat. Guessing I’m positive by tomorrow. Fuck this. I am so mad. We don’t go anywhere…we didn’t see any family for Christmas and here we are.

[2naSalit]

82. I would be too.

I am thankful I have escaped it so far. And I am thinking it's only through luck. I'm vaxxed to the max and have upped my masks to N95s and I have been in lockdown since my last dental adventure almost two weeks before christmas, but I have no expectation that I can't get it even with all the precautions. I just hope it isn't bad if I do get it.

Rest up and take care.

[mountain grammy]

80. Hope it's mild and he's well soon..

and all goes well with you and the kiddo.

[AdamGG]

81. Are you guys able to get tests promptly?

I'm vaccinated, but came down with a cough, sore throat & temperature (100.8) on Saturday. There's such a surge happening, that I was unable to schedule a test in Kansas City until Wednesday. Some of the places I checked didn't have testing appointments available for 9 days, which pretty much defeats the purpose of testing.

I was going to opt for the PCR test that gets mailed to a lab and takes a few days to get resuts, because it's supposed to be more accurate. But, that may be true for the previous strains and not Omicron. I figured that the wait doesn't matter so much, since I'll quarantine and drink fluids either way.

Best of luck to you and everyone else that is experiencing this. With so many people getting together for the holidays and Omicron arriving, the surge is probably just beginning.

[MontanaMama]

90. Tests aren't easy to get.

I’m going to try to get a PCR at the health department this morning. We got lucky and found antigen tests at CVS yesterday. My husband was an immediate positive and the kiddo and I were negative. I truly don’t think I’m negative…I have all the symptoms he has and more. I believe antigen tests can give a false negative and I think this is exactly that. I might not have gotten the viral load that hubs did but I’m still sick.

[stillspkg]

83. Be safe

Prayers for a complete recovery

[panader0]

86. Get well soon!

I'm interested in your work. Do you have a ranch? Lots of work there.

[Demsrule86]

92. My husband had it several weeks ago but I didn't...my daughters got it

but so far I have not...so you may not get Covid.

[MontanaMama]

94. My son and I tested negative again this morning.

the kiddo has no symptoms but I am more symptomatic than my husband. I don't get it. We're continuing as if I am positive because of the symptoms. Maybe it's just a cold...I don't know.