Mary writes:
Hello Dr. Griffin and TWIV team, I’ve been a regular listener for some time, and every so often you mention a situation where a patient has acquired covid-19 while in the hospital. This is disturbing. I don’t anticipate needing hospitalization myself in the near future but I feel that a healthcare setting is one where care should be taken to prevent transmission of Covid or indeed any infection.
I recently visited a friend in hospital, and I was one of the few people, including visitors, staff, and other patients, who was wearing a proper protective respirator.
What are your thoughts on this?
Thanks for the great updates. I take away something new or something hopeful from every episode.
All the best,
Mary
Corvallis, Oregon
Laura writes:
Hi Vincent and Daniel,
I am 61 and currently been treated with prednisone and doxycycline for the past 2.5 months. My dose of prednisone has ranged from 60mg/day to 20mg/day currently. I had a negative temporal artery biopsy in September but my vision loss symptoms continue. I will be tapering off in the coming weeks as part of the treatment plan.
I have two questions.
The Neuro Opththamalogist that I am seeing at Will’s Eye recommends that I do not get any vaccines such as Flu, RSV, or COVID. I am very concerned about entering the holidays working in a school environment, being immunocompromised, and also not being protected with vaccines. I had four COVID vaccines including the bivalent in Dec 2022. I got COVID in January of 2023 anyway but was wondering if I can count on any protection from vaccination and infection in spite of my immunosuppression? In addition, I had a splenectomy at age 20 as a result of abdominal trauma.
Secondly, the origin of my eye condition is unknown. Currently, my doctor is hoping that using Doxycycline with prednisone is also covering the possibility of Lyme disease or Cat Scratch fever even though I tested negative for both.
At my last visit, my doctor mentioned that the possibility of my condition having a COVID infection or vaccination cause was floated by the other clinicians consulted on my case. Have you heard of any correlation between ophthalmologic conditions and long COVID ?
It goes without saying that I am a huge fan of TWIV and want to express my gratitude for what you all do to help educate and inform us during a time of so much misinformation. My original career was in Medical Technology and I worked in several different lab situations so I love to nerd out listening to all of your different episodes!
Thank you in advance for any advice you can offer!
Sincerely,
Laura
Nancy writes:
Hello Dr. Griffin,
Thank you for your wonderful podcast!
My daughter was diagnosed with COVID 10 days ago. She still cannot taste food so does that mean could still be contagious?
Thank you, Nancy
Chagrin Falls, Ohio
Anissa writes:
I am an ob/gyn in Atlanta. I have been recommending Abrysvo to my pregnant patients. As RSV season “ends” in January, should I still recommend it to patients who are due in February? Does RSV season run long some years? Should I recommend vaccination as some will deliver early?
Thank you for all you do.
Anissa