Kathy writes:
Dear Dr. Griffin,
I recently had my 4th bout of Covid-19 illness. All 4 bouts were treated within 3 days of symptom onset with Paxlovid. As I was feeling better after my first bout (2022) and my most recent bout (Dec 2024 into Jan 2025) I became symptomatic again and tested strongly positive again using a Covid-19 rapid antigen test. My most recent Rebound illness symptoms were at least as serious as the initial phase of the illness.
I was wondering what the current guidelines are for isolation and/or masking during the days after becoming sick with Rebound Covid. Articles from Harvard, Johns Hopkins, CDC and Yale University all said that I could be contagious and recommended 5 days of isolation. Some of these articles were from 2023, so perhaps not in line with current thinking.
I haven’t heard you speak lately about Rebound Covid and wondered if you could address it again during your weekly clinical update on Covid.
TWIV continues to be a sturdy and steady ship of shared scientific knowledge as we struggle through the stormy waters of misinformation and anti-science rhetoric. My husband and I are supporters of the show and have listened to every episode of TWIV and Immune since first learning of Microbe TV in 2021. We are both retired scientists (Biological Sciences for me, Chemical Engineering for him), and we’re grateful for the information shared, and for the scientific scrutiny and objectivity you maintain while showing your caring and friendly natures. Thank you so much for all your work in science, and in communicating important science. We have learned so much!
Best wishes,
Kathy
Patsi writes:
Thanks to you and Dr. Racaniello for your work and clear communications on health care!
I am a retired primary care pediatric nurse practitioner, born in 1952. I did have childhood measles and mumps disease, but never rubella. I was vaccinated once for rubella, and 32 yrs. ago, while pregnant, had the usual rubella titer, that still showed protection.
My girlhood friend in CA tells me she had titers done recently, and measles titer was low, so she’s had 2 MMR vaccines subsequently.
Despite not working in healthcare now, I am in public often and spending time with children. With measles resurgence, and some outbreaks in my area of NJ/Philadelphia, do you recommend getting MMR titer and vaccine if below protective level?
There are many “boomers” in this situation, but I have not seen a recommendation for screening unless born before 1957 and working in healthcare.
Thank you for your consideration.
Patsi
Jessica writes:
Hi Dr. Griffin,
I read that Benzalkonium Chloride can inactivate Norovirus. Would switching from alcohol-based hand sanitizer to a Benzalkonium Chloride hand sanitizer be an effective way to prevent the spread of Norovirus? I understand that frequent hand-washing is preferrable, but there are many situations when hand-washing is impractical (such as while riding in a car), and it would be useful to have a portable alternative.
Thanks,
Jessica
Amanda writes:
Hi Dr Griffin,
Thanks for much that you and the TWiV crew do.
As I sit here in the hospital with a very sick year old, I’m curious as to why we don’t vaccinate one year olds for RSV unless they have other risk factors.
I got the vaccine while pregnant with him and he was born late Dec. So he’s still quite young during this first full respiratory season.
If being vaccinated while pregnant only give six months of protection then babies born middle to late of the season will still be at very risk for hospitalization during the second rsv season. Especially for those who practiced good social distancing during the first season. Yet it’s only recommended up to eight months unless other risk factors are present.
A two hundred dollar vaccine VS a many thousand dollar hospital visit seems economically advantageous even minus pain and suffering.
In hind sight I’m frustrated I didn’t push for him to have this myself as it seems a fairly obvious choice, but I’m not sure why that isn’t just the recommendation given we are vaccinating the over 65 crew and one year Olds are at a similar risk of my understanding is correct.
Thanks again,
Amanda
Jim writes:
I start every Saturday morning with the Clinical update. It’s good to know that someone is following all of this information and making it available to the public. I’ve been very interested in your recent discussions of IPV and OPV. My question is: Are those of us took OPV many years ago protected from poliomyelitis? Should we be looking to get an IPV?
Thanks
Jim