Chuck writes:
My up-to-date vaccinated 65 year old spouse, who was symptomatic (very severe cough for three weeks) positive with Covid-19 on May 11, 2022 is a singer/musician/voice teacher. She completed a regimen of paxlovid.
On June 23 she began experiencing headaches and extreme sound and noise sensitivity which continues today. For instance, crowded rooms of conversation, on occasion, are amplified to the point where she must leave the room. Single musical tones often present with additional tones, as if hearing chords with only a single note being played.
She has seen an ENT who is recommending 1) treatment with a diuretic (ruling out meniere’s disease), 2) head MRI and 3) depending on 1 and 2 possibly install tubes.
Question: Do you have thoughts on any connection between Covid-19 and/or it’s treatment which could explain this possibly career ending situation my wife is facing?
Thank you
Kate writes:
Dear Dr. Griffin,
My husband is a long-term type 1 diabetic and recently experienced acute kidney injury from a couple of medications he was given. He was monitored in the hospital for a few days and given a course of prednisone which he just finished today (July 26th).
Because of the prednisone and his kidney injury, we’ve been very concerned about COVID, so are secluding ourselves like it’s 2020 again. His nephrologist did emphasize that it was important for him not to become ill or injured in the next several months as his kidneys heal. (His last eGFR was 14 having climbed from 11 at the lowest. He is normally in the mid-50s.)
How long might it be before his immune system returns to normal? Would it make sense for him to have Evusheld, or will his four Moderna shots protect him again sometime in the near future?
Thank you in advance for your input. I’ve never missed a clinical update and am so grateful to you and Dr. Racaniello for this weekly podcast.
Sincerely,
Kate in Portland, Oregon
Ida writes:
In last week’s clinical update, I was under the impression that both you and Vincent said that those with monkeypox can be “out and about” but I was under the impression they need to be isolated for 2-4 weeks, at least while they have active lesions. I read to wear full covered clothing and “double mask” if they need to be out for an emergency or medical appointment.
Can you say what we should be counseling patients, what kind of PPE we need for our office and staff, and what the “treatments” are, especially for the pain that I hear can be beyond brutal.
I feel prepared to test thanks to you, but all additional information is so helpful.
Thank you!!!
Ida Bergstrom, MD
Eric writes:
Hi Dr. Griffin — I’m a member of the LGBT community who found TWiV in January 2000. A two-year commitment with the Moderna vaccine trial is up next month. My health care provider specializes in services to the LGBT community. While still sexually active, I’ve been abstinent during the monkey pox outbreak. Last week, I went in for regular testing and requested the monkey pox vaccine but was declined because CDC regulations require a known, or highly suspected, exposure. In other words, the only way to become eligible for the vaccine is to have sex. A few of us here in the Boston area are trying to wrap heads around this requirement but must be missing something, can you explain?
— Eric
P.S. Abstinence is not going to work, thanks.