Thread by @NicoleB_MD

🧵If you follow me on other social channels, this isn't news, but I wanted to discuss here as well.

On 12/31, I tested positive for COVID.

I thought I would share some thoughts with you in a thread that only suits itself to Twitter...using @SchittsCreek gifs only.

On 12/29 I woke up with a VERY mild scratchy throat. Nothing that a sip of water wouldn't take away.

I had no known exposures, but I HAD been at a moderate sized family gathering on Christmas so I tested that evening with a rapid antigen nasal swab test.

It was negative.

The following day my daughter and I picked up our new puppy (wearing masks whenever not in the car) and drove 8 hours home.

That day my throat was still scratchy and I coughed MAYBE 5 times.

Overnight from 12/30-12/31 I felt a bit worse - more sore throat, headache, and slight congestion.

I never did have a fever.

The morning of 12/31 I immediately took another rapid antigen test and this time it was POSITIVE.

My initial feeling was SHAME.

I had been SO careful. Done SO MUCH to protect myself & my family. I was vaccinated & boosted.

But I chose to gather with 24 people, a mix of vaccinated & unvaccinated, for a family holiday party that we skipped last year...and WHAM!

On 1/1 I decided to share my diagnosis on social media to help minimize the guilt and shame many like me might have been feeling. I was met with OVERWHELMING support and kindness (which was so needed).

By this day (day #3) my congestion kicked in and I was coughing a bit more.

By 1/2 (day #4) I was really feeling MUCH better. No sore throat or headache. Still with mild congestion but great energy.

By @CDCgov guidelines I would definitely classify my symptoms as "resolving."

On 1/4 (day #6) based on current guidelines, I COULD have returned to work, with a mask (seeing unvaccinated infants).

Well - that wasn't OK with me, so I did another rapid antigen test just to be sure I was negative before returning to clinic.

It was POSITIVE 🤦‍♀️

Here is where I insert my opinion of current CDC isolation guidelines...

I think they're a bit dangerous and we will continue to see spread from contagious people who have a false sense of security that their symptoms are "resolving" therefore they MUST NOT be contagious.

Over the past several days, my symptoms have waxed and waned. I feel great for several hours, and then my congestion hits with a vengeance.

Today - day #9, my antigen test is STILL POSITIVE.

Am I still contagious - I don't know. Am I taking any chances...NOPE.

To add more fuel to the fire - my daughter (fully vaxxed & boosted) tested + on molecular test on 12/31 (ZERO SYMPTOMS).

She was supposed to return to school on 1/6 (based on current guidelines) but SHE wanted a rapid to make sure she wasn't contagious - IT WAS POSITIVE!!

If anyone has evidence that a POSITIVE antigen tests means you're contagious early in illness but then MAGICALLY another POSITIVE later in illness means you're NOT contagious - PLEASE share it with me!

So what can we learn...
If you have MILD symptoms/sore throat - please TEST (if you can find one).
Don't necessarily trust "resolving" symptoms.
If you MUST go out after 5 days, #wearamask and please avoid immunocompromised/vulnerable people (as you MAY still be contagious).

And finally - let's offer GRACE to each other.

This thing is EVERYWHERE right now & it's super contagious.

Do what you can to protect yourself -#getvaccinated #GetBoosted #wearamask and then live your life the best that you can with those that you love the most.