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Dr. Paul Cieslak, OHA senior health advisor and medical director, Communicable Diseases and Immunizations, answered today’s questions. We’ll continue to answer your questions on COVID-19 topics in upcoming newsletters.
Q: I tested positive for COVID-19 Oct. 3rd, one day after symptoms began. I am still experiencing lingering symptoms, intermittent achy throat, head congestion and cough. I do not consider myself contagious but cannot find the data to support that assumption. Can you please help me clarify? It makes a difference to close family members. Thank you. – Jan, Deadwood
A: “It’s impossible to say with 100% certainty, but it’s highly unlikely that you’re still contagious. Early studies showed that by day 14 after illness onset, live virus was still present in less than 1% of cases. Some patients have lingering symptoms from the initial infection; and other viruses are circulating, so it’s also possible that you have a different infection now.”
Q: My son contracted COVID toward the end of June. Unfortunately, he now has long COVID. He had both of his shots and at least one of his boosters. When can he get the new bivalent booster? – Martha, Portland
A: “I’m sorry your son is experiencing long COVID-19. Fortunately, however, it doesn’t have any impact on vaccine guidance. If he’s at least 5 years old, he can get the bivalent booster if it’s been two months since receiving his most recent COVID-19 (monovalent) booster.”
Q: I am 76 and my husband is 85, both in good health. We tested positive for COVID-19 on Sept 28. We took Paxlovid. It took three weeks to the day before we tested negative. We are scheduled for air travel at Christmas to visit friends and will gather with their family that includes a college student who will travel cross country to join us. We've had all boosters except the bivalent (which we were scheduled for the day after our COVID-19 diagnosis). Everything I read advises waiting three months or longer for the new booster. That would put us right in the middle of our Christmas trip. I was thinking of getting it two weeks before we leave to give us maximum protection. What timing would you advise for our booster and why? – Sherwin, Portland
A: “I would do exactly what you’re suggesting – get the bivalent booster two weeks before you travel. Immunity from your recent infection is likely to protect you until then, and the immunity from the booster should be high as you travel!”
If you have questions about topics related to COVID-19, submit your question here. While we are unable to answer every question, we try to address questions that may be of interest to a broader audience. Please understand we are unable to provide specific medical advice for personal medical conditions.
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