Short Wave A Science Reporter And A 'Mild' Case Of Breakthrough COVID
Sep 27, 2021
Will Stone, a science reporter for NPR, shares his firsthand experience with a breakthrough COVID infection. He discusses the surprising severity of symptoms despite being vaccinated and the valuable lessons learned during recovery. Will emphasizes ongoing safety measures needed in light of evolving variants like Delta. He also highlights the contrast between negative rapid tests and a positive PCR result, urging caution even among the vaccinated. Listeners gain insights into risk management and staying informed as the pandemic continues.
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Will's Breakthrough Infection
- Will Stone's breakthrough COVID started with fatigue and a sore throat, worsening into fever, headache, and loss of smell and taste.
- Despite two negative rapid antigen tests, a PCR test confirmed his infection.
Mild Does Not Mean Easy
- While Will's breakthrough infection was classified as "mild", it was still a severe experience.
- "Mild" cases can vary, but generally mean not requiring hospitalization or oxygen.
Breakthrough Symptoms
- Vaccinated individuals experience shorter illness durations with breakthrough infections.
- Breakthrough cases also tend to have fewer and different symptoms, such as sneezing and headache, compared to unvaccinated cases.