Andrew Kinsey was aware that even though he had been vaccinated against coronavirus, there was still a possibility he might get covid-19.
He didn't expect to feel so bad after a mild case.
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Kinsey felt "run over" by a truck for nearly a week. He was unable to walk for a few minutes and struggled to stay awake during episodes of "Doomsday Preppers." He was a corporate litigator and returned to work on Monday, but still needs to take midday naps.
"The vaccine appeared to have protected my lungs so that I didn't experience life-threatening symptoms. However, it is possible to get a mild course. . . Kinsey is 38 years old and lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and three kids. "It is important that people know that the bad cold they imagine will not happen, even if it does come down to mild symptoms.
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Kinsey, and other vaccinated persons who have developed breakthrough cases of covid-19, an illness caused by the virus are discovering that a mild case might not appear so mild to those suffering the infection. These cases may be mild and last for a few days. However, they can lead to severe headaches and fatigue in some circumstances. These symptoms can last longer than the typical cold.
Scientists and public health officials stress, however, that the majority of breakthrough cases and coronavirus vaccines keep people out hospital.
Seven people who were vaccinated and ended up getting sicker than expected shared their stories. They said that they didn't want to question vaccines because they believed their outcome would be worse if they hadn't been inoculated. They said that they wanted to help others vaccinated people evaluate their risks and decide whether they should wear a mask or go on vacation. They don't want anyone to think that a mild case is not serious.
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Kinsey will be reassessing how he considers the risk for this school year, after his family's fight with the virus. He isn't sure how his wife Lisa, also vaccinated was exposed. Their daughter Sarah is 8 years old and too young to receive vaccines. They wear masks to protect Sarah.
Sarah was also infected with the virus. She spent nearly two weeks in hospital. Sarah later recovered and continued to be well, while her siblings who were vaccinated remained healthy. The family hopes to be protected from both vaccine-induced and natural antibodies for at least several more months. Kinsey said that his experience was a reminder to pay close attention the the evolving understanding of the virus.
Matt Longman, 41, lives in Tucson, Ariz. He said that he suffered from a fever of 103 degrees, had severe aches in his elbows, and toes, and couldn't stop shaking even after wrapping him in three blankets. Longman is concerned that he might have ended up in the hospital if he hadn't been vaccinated. This is especially since his immune system has been affected by migraine treatments.
Longman, who works as a communications specialist for a pharmaceutical company, said that it was scary to feel as sick as it did.
Longman stated that he wishes he'd worn a mask to the grocery shop because he believes that was where he was exposed.
Experts in public health warn that this novel coronavirus that is fueling the pandemic will not be eradicated. Instead, it is likely to be another endemic respiratory disease that can be controlled with vaccines, similar to influenza. Even those who have their flu shot every now and again are often afflicted by the flu.
Research has shown that coronavirus vaccines have been proven to be highly effective in keeping people out hospitals even when the deadly delta variant spreads throughout the United States. Even though vaccinated individuals are less likely to contract the virus, recent data from Los Angeles County shows that people who have not been vaccinated are five times more likely to get infected than those who have had their shots.
Despite the success of these cases, it is difficult to determine who ends up with severe symptoms and those that don't require hospitalization.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 27% of all breakthrough cases that were reviewed between January and April were not symptomatic. Some experts have criticised the public health agency for not collecting data on mild and moderate infection among fully vaccinated people in May. This led to criticism from experts who believe that these cases should still be monitored, even if they are less severe.
A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine showed that only one-third of Israeli health-care workers with breakthrough infections reported symptoms. One-fifth of those who had symptoms for six weeks were able to report "long covid" symptoms. None of them were admitted to hospital.
Experts expect a rise in breakthrough cases during a national crisis. Because the vaccine's protection against pandemics is somewhat like a raincoat. It can keep you dry in a drizzle but it can still make you wet in a tropical storm. The United States is experiencing a tsunami as new cases of the delta variant are being sent. This is a drastic increase from last winter.
Ilan Shapiro is the medical director at a network Los Angeles community health centers. He advises patients who have been vaccinated to be vigilant and to wear masks. This is not for their own protection but to protect children and older people who may be more susceptible to developing breakthrough infections. Experts concluded that even though the majority of people infected had been vaccinated, the disease can still be spread in certain cases.
Shapiro stated, "I let them understand it's better for them to believe they aren't vaccinated." It can still attack you."
Americans who have been vaccinated are now reassessing their tolerance for risk. Governments recommend that everyone wear masks indoors. People can accept the low risk of developing breakthrough infections and will trust that vaccines will prevent them from getting sick.
Tyler Black, 26, claimed that he had a breakthrough case after he joined a gym to keep himself healthy. He described the virus as the most severe and long-lasting illness in his life, with the worst headaches. He claimed he wasn't at risk of being hospitalized. He was thankful that the vaccines helped to prevent his wife from becoming sick.
Black, a Boston-area student in dentistry, said that there was nothing that struck him that I would give up. It's more like I could do safer practices, such as handwashing and masks.
A part of the risk assessment for those who have been vaccinated includes the possibility that there may be lingering effects from the virus.
Steven Deeks is an infectious-disease doctor at the University of California at San Francisco. He studies long-haul covid and said that there is not enough data to determine how concerned people should feel. However, he warned people not to assume they will be okay.
Deeks said that he wouldn't advise people to stop based on the theoretical risk. He lets his son, who is too young for vaccine eligibility, hang out with his friends. "But on one hand, I'm telling people: 'Let science time to figure what these breakthrough infections could mean for your long-term well-being and until then, please be careful. "
As the Biden administration prepares to begin providing booster shots to the general population in September, the agency will offer additional protection to most vaccinated Americans. This is subject to approval by drug regulators. The immunocompromised can already get third shots.
Professor of Global Health at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Anna Durbin said that Americans who are concerned about mild to moderate covid cases can reduce their risk by wearing masks, washing hands often, and using social distancing rather than rushing for booster shots.
Durbin stated, "There is no doubt that if you give booster shots, you will reduce the number mild to moderate infections among vaccinated persons for a while." But I don't think that preventing mild-to-moderate colds should be our goal right now. It should be to vaccinate as many people around the world as possible right now.
Erin Goodyear (28), is currently recovering from a breakthrough infected after she traveled to Arkansas for a reunion of 10 years high school classmates.
She felt safe enough to attend the reunion in a well-ventilated location and to stay with her vaccinated grandparents. Goodyear is not regretting her decision to go back to old friends. She regrets that she didn't go to the drag show at a basement bar, which was poorly ventilated and packed after the reunion.
Goodyear returned home to the District of Columbia with what she described as a 2-day cold. She was not able to feel well for a few days, but she wasn't worried about getting a coronavirus testing until a friend suggested it. Her parents were also vaccinated so she was not a risk to them. She is now more vigilant and will wear a mask and socialize outside, as well as skip bars.
Goodyear, who works as a volunteer for a non-profit, said that "Maybe my tolerance will change in fall and winter when it's lonely and want to meet people, and I may need to do that more inside." "The mental and physical recovery as well as the emotional recovery took a toll on me, and I don't want that to happen again."
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This report was contributed by Joel Achenbach of the Washington Post and Ben Guarino.
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