Theodore writes:
Dear Twiv team,
Kalispera from the flamming Athens GR ( 38+ C, that is 100+ F)
I’ll be short and sweet
I am 46 years old,under secutinumab (anti-IL17) for psoriasis
Major pertusis outbreak in Europe this year
As a child I had been vaccinated with the bivalent vaccine ( Diphteria ,Tetanus ) not DTaP and never had pertusis
As I am a smoker vaccination for pertusis is required by the lung association guidelines. I know that adults do the TDaP formation not DTaP
In Greece i have found the TDaP + IPV formation (had already 6 doses of sabin’s OPV as a child,last in 1989)
My question is as I haven’t had a previous exposure to pertusis will i be covered with one dose of TDaP ,or more are required in order to be considrered fully vaccinated . And in case only the TDaP+IPV formation is available, please verify if there are no contra indications for IPV and secutinumab
Yours Theodore
Lisa writes:
Hi TWIV,
You have helped keep me sane during the pandemic with your information and expertise.
I am a 65 year old retired cardiac anesthesiologist and PhD biochemist. I have had breast cancer twice. First time in 2011 ( left lumpectomy and radiation) then again in 2017 ( with bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction). Incidental left arm lymphedema occasionally. MTHFR deficiency heterozygous.
I began having swelling in left posterior triangle then to left face and left arm. All my doctors were perplexed. US and CT scan showed lymph nodes less than a centimeter which they considered non- neoplastic. Many other studies were done to rule out gyn/leaking breast implants /etc. Lymphedema is resolving with lymphatic massage.
I had my last Covid vaccination (Pfizer) in my left arm.
The question is then, how to proceed with next Covid vaccination. My decision is confounded by upcoming trip to France in the fall. I want to get flu and Covid vaccines prior to the trip.
My thought is that lymphadenopathy is a normal occurrence after a vaccination . I would proceed again with Pfizer vaccination but get shot in right arm/right or left leg.
I’m interested in your thoughts on the situation.
Thanks again.
Lisa Dodson MD PhD
Becky writes:
As always your episodes are full of useful information. I was disappointed that KN95 masks weren’t as great as I’d hoped; I relied on them and still do when needed. Do you think KN95 masks will be effective against H5N1 if this virus becomes more widespread? If not, what type? N95? I know why many wear surgical masks; it’s much easier to breathe but therein is the problem. I had hoped with all the money the government gave to local and state governments and to private businesses that decent air filtration systems would have been installed. This hasn’t happened as far as I know.
Thanks to the TWIV team for all your efforts to get the word out about COVID and other issues. We could not have survived without you.
Becky
Susan writes:
Dear Dr. Griffin –
My virologist daughter turned me on to TWIV in early 2020 and I’ve been listening and learning ever since. Thank you.
In trying to figure out a now 7-month long diagnosis of Meniere’s disease/syndrome (MD), I’ve been wandering through countless academic papers, I’ve come across a series of citations for papers exploring viral links to MD – and among such viruses, SARS-COVID-19. I am wondering whether you have treated patients with long COVID who have MD-like symptoms (tinnitus, hearing loss, vertigo, vomiting)? If so, can you describe this subset of patients and your approach to treatment?
Thank you so much,
Susan