With Omicron, Many Vaccinated Americans Will at Some Point Test Positive. Here’s What to Do.

With the omicron variant spreading rapidly, the United States is all but certain to see a sharp rise in breakthrough coronavirus infections among vaccinated people. These cases were relatively rare in the pre-omicron days, but the new variant has shown an ability to slip past the body’s first line of immune defenses. That means many Americans who have gotten the shots will at some point test positive.

Coronavirus vaccines act like a shield against disease, not an impenetrable barrier, and they offer protection against the omicron variant. Health authorities say booster shots of the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are the best defense against serious illness, providing robust protection against severe disease. Your likelihood of developing a breakthrough infection is lowest if you’ve gotten the additional shot. The initial two-shot vaccine regimen still offers protection, but it’s not as effective against the omicron variant without boosters.

If you do get a breakthrough infection, The Washington Post has assembled some advice on how to navigate it. See the full article for answers to the following questions:

  • What should I do if I test positive for the coronavirus?
  • How long should I isolate or quarantine with a breakthrough infection?
  • If others in my household are sick, too, can we be together?
  • How can I treat breakthrough covid-19 at home? What supplies should I have on hand?
  • How long will I be contagious?
  • Do I need to test negative after 10 days to rejoin the community?
  • Should I ask my doctor about coronavirus therapies?
  • What should I do if my symptoms become more serious?
  • Are there cases in which I should avoid the emergency room?

Excerpted from “With Omicron, Many Vaccinated Americans Will at Some Point Test Positive. Here’s What to Do.” in The Washington Post. This article is free for all and is updated with the latest information.

Source: The Washington Post | With Omicron, Many Vaccinated Americans Will at Some Point Test Positive. Here’s What to Do., https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2021/12/22/covid-positive-fully-vaccinated | © 2022 The Washington Post. Retrieved 01/10/22

Do you need someone to talk to? To schedule an evaluation or to get advice about your child’s or teen’s challenges, call or email a CHC Care Coordinator at 650.688.3625 or careteam@chconline.org CHC teletherapy services are available now.

You might also be interested in:

Tags: , , ,