The DELTA Variant has a lot of people concerned, and they should be. Vaccines do not prevent you from becoming infected; however, they reduce the severity of the symptoms, the risk of going to a hospital, and the risk of dying from the virus. Protection from becoming a statistic during this pandemic is still your personal responsibility. Follow the guidelines, and you will probably be successful.
However, who is more likely to become infected during your normal daily activities?
Infection Spread
https://www.newsmax.com/health/health-news/covid-spread-contagious-infected/2021/08/27/id/1034028/. When you stay home, the likelihood of getting infected remains low. Going outdoors for a walk and avoiding people also keeps the risk low. However, what about going to the grocery store, hospital, sharing an Uber, etc.?
Months ago, the common belief was that the virus was passed along during the first five days of infection. Unfortunately, that still holds true to a degree. Part of the problem is that almost every infected person can pass on the virus to others when they have no symptoms – or, in some cases, never have symptoms (asymptomatic).
New research shows that an infected person is most likely to infect others from two days before they have symptoms until three days after they exhibit signs of the virus. With over half of the American citizens vaccinated, the symptoms will most likely be almost none to mild.
Tracing Others Who Are Infected
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/contact-tracing/contact-tracing-plan/contact-tracing.html. COVID-19 contact tracing is done to identify, monitor, and support people who may have been exposed to an infected person. If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, you should think of the people you spent more than a couple of minutes with over the past couple or three days.
You might have had lunch with a friend, visited others at their homes, chatted with your neighbor, etc. Make a list so that the spread of the disease can have a better chance of reducing further infection.
Most Common Symptoms of DELTA Variant
https://www.eatthis.com/news-symptoms-delta-variant-covid/. We have probably forgotten what the symptoms are for COVID-19. We might not even know which symptoms are more prevalent with the DELTA Variant. And we might even confuse seasonal influenza, a cold, or other respiratory ailments with coronavirus.
The most common symptoms attributable to the DELTA Variant are headache, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, and cough. However, some of us remember symptoms from a year or so ago that are not in the top five of the DELTA Variant.
Typical COVID-19 symptoms include shortness of breath, fever, fatigue, muscle and body aches, loss of taste or smell, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The DELTA Variant is not the only variant to be wary of circulating in your world.
It is wise to isolate yourself immediately if you have any of these symptoms for more than a day. If you believe you have become infected, advise your doctor, remain isolated, and make a list of those you might have infected. Let them know you might have contracted the virus.
Conclusion
Asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 appear to be higher today since many more people have become vaccinated. The vaccine seems to reduce the formerly mild symptoms to an almost asymptomatic level. I opined several times recently that it might be one of the causes of the latest surge – asymptomatic vaccinated people.
I mentioned personal responsibility earlier. We have a responsibility to ourselves, our families, and those we encounter daily, especially anyone over 65 years of age. Just because they might be vaccinated does not mean that they are immune from the virus. Isolating yourself for two weeks after your second dose of vaccine should allow enough time for your body’s immune system to identify the virus should it come wafting your way.
When in doubt about symptoms, get a COVID-19 test. If the symptoms persist and the first test was negative, get a second test three or four days later.
Live Longer & Enjoy Life! – Red O’Laughlin – RedOLaughlin.com
