Got COVID on April 9th-16th Apex sailing

[hooskydo]

1 hour ago, PKB said:

What over the counter medications are people who have covid using to mitigate symptoms?  I plan on making a covid kit for each of us in case one of us gets isolated.  The spouse would also need a kit if testing positive later.  Also separate toiletry items for each person.  

We were taking Mucinex DM. It seemed to keep cough and mucus at manageable levels. You do need to drink lots and lots of liquids, it really dries you out. Tylenol, cough drops and some nasal spray the ship Dr gave us were taken as well. I wish I had brought my thermometer and that finger oxygen thing as well, just so I could track it for my own curiosity.

[hooskydo]

On 4/20/2022 at 1:19 PM, cangelmd said:

I think I got it in the thermal suite. 

This makes the most sense. My husband got it first and I followed a day later. I did not go in the steam room, the wet floor creeps me out. He was in the steam a while a few days before he got symptoms. Everything else we did together.

[weregoingcruising]

2 hours ago, mathlady said:

My husband and I were on this Apex cruise back-to-back from April 2 to April 16.  We had to test on the ship for the second half and were negative.  We flew home on the 16th.  That night, I developed a sore throat, and tested positive on the 17th.  My husband tested negative, but developed symptoms a couple of days later and tested positive with PCR.  It had to be the ship rather than the plane, since my symptoms started too soon after the flight.  Our symptoms are cold-like, except the second night I had a couple of hours of high fever (almost 103) and uncontrollable shaking.  We were among the few passengers wearing masks all the time except when eating or drinking.  We had a fantastic time and would do the cruise again.  Are those of you who tested positive after the cruise going to report it to Celebrity?  Are they keeping track of such reports?

Great question.

[cangelmd]

2 hours ago, mathlady said:

My husband and I were on this Apex cruise back-to-back from April 2 to April 16.  We had to test on the ship for the second half and were negative.  We flew home on the 16th.  That night, I developed a sore throat, and tested positive on the 17th.  My husband tested negative, but developed symptoms a couple of days later and tested positive with PCR.  It had to be the ship rather than the plane, since my symptoms started too soon after the flight.  Our symptoms are cold-like, except the second night I had a couple of hours of high fever (almost 103) and uncontrollable shaking.  We were among the few passengers wearing masks all the time except when eating or drinking.  We had a fantastic time and would do the cruise again.  Are those of you who tested positive after the cruise going to report it to Celebrity?  Are they keeping track of such reports?

Very good question, I doubt very seriously they have any interest in hearing from us. Public health officials highly encourage self reporting positive home tests. There are so many positive home tests now, it is thought that is affecting the overall case numbers. I didnt report my positive test, in my state I'm not certain there is anyone to report it to, and I'm an MD.

[cangelmd]

59 minutes ago, hooskydo said:

This makes the most sense. My husband got it first and I followed a day later. I did not go in the steam room, the wet floor creeps me out. He was in the steam a while a few days before he got symptoms. Everything else we did together.

I looked into the research about the virus and hot tubs and spas, partially because we have a hot tub at a rental vacation home and partly because it came up on here about a year later and I was curious if any other research had been done. It boiled (LOL) down to the ventilation of the space and how often the temperature was raised above 150 degrees. Open air hot tubs are not particularly high risk because they are open air and often heavily chlorinated. That 130 degree steam room is another story. I remember sitting in there (I had gotten over a regular cold, covid negative, about 3 weeks before sailing) thinking this is probably the highest risk thing I could do other than parking myself at the Martini Bar 4 nights in a row! I was right.

[runningtide]

3 hours ago, cangelmd said:

I looked into the research about the virus and hot tubs and spas, partially because we have a hot tub at a rental vacation home and partly because it came up on here about a year later and I was curious if any other research had been done. It boiled (LOL) down to the ventilation of the space and how often the temperature was raised above 150 degrees. Open air hot tubs are not particularly high risk because they are open air and often heavily chlorinated. That 130 degree steam room is another story. I remember sitting in there (I had gotten over a regular cold, covid negative, about 3 weeks before sailing) thinking this is probably the highest risk thing I could do other than parking myself at the Martini Bar 4 nights in a row! I was right.

I have a Hot Springs Vanguard hot tub. Max water temp is 105 degrees. I’m not sure what your comment about 150 degrees refers to? 150 degree water would put you in the hospital . 

t

[SbbquilterUT]

7 hours ago, PKB said:

What over the counter medications are people who have covid using to mitigate symptoms?  I plan on making a covid kit for each of us in case one of us gets isolated.  The spouse would also need a kit if testing positive later.  Also separate toiletry items for each person.  

The medical team provided me with necessary medications - mostly cough drops, pain reliever and antihistamine as needed.  

[cangelmd]

1 hour ago, runningtide said:

I have a Hot Springs Vanguard hot tub. Max water temp is 105 degrees. I’m not sure what your comment about 150 degrees refers to? 150 degree water would put you in the hospital . 

t

Ah, I see the confusion. Some saunas and “commercial” hot tubs, like at a hotel, are flushed with very hot water as part of a cleaning cycle - can’t remember quite if the research recommended 150 or 160 degrees, but it was HOT. Obviously only a stray lobster would be in the sauna or hot tub when it was cleaned, lol! The studies also suggested that open air hot tubs, like on a cruise ship were low risk because of ventilation- as long as someone didn’t cough in your face.

 I don’t think home hot tubs were even studied, usage would be limited to a few people and the water is often very chlorinated.

[schittenden]

15 minutes ago, Ronin23 said:

Why even notify the cruise line if you test positive on board, knowing that effectively ends your cruise?

 

Unless you are seriously sick, which in most cases doesn’t happen now, then there is no upside.

Maybe so you can appropriately isolate and not risk making fellow passengers ill?

[Cruising89143]

19 minutes ago, Ronin23 said:

Why even notify the cruise line if you test positive on board, knowing that effectively ends your cruise?

 

Unless you are seriously sick, which in most cases doesn’t happen now, then there is no upside.

Wow. Just wow. 

[schittenden]

Some of you might find these pictures interesting. The first is from 4/17, the day after disembarking the Apex when I felt some scratchiness in my throat and a little off. Within two hours of this, I was feverish with chills, body aches, and a sore throat. 
 

The second picture is from 4/18 about 24 hours after the onset of symptoms. 
 

 

Tomorrow will be my fifth full day after symptom onset, so I will test to see if I need to continue to isolate. My wife and I are both positive, but our 10-year-old son (who received his second Pfizer dose on 12/1) continues to be negative. Our symptoms have both improved greatly in the last 24 hours from what I would describe as a severe cold to a mild one. 

[schittenden]

15 hours ago, TeeRick said:

So did you remain Covid-free on or just after your cruise?  Sorry that you are feeling the effects of Covid now.  But not from the cruise?

Definitely from the cruise. I tested positive the day after the cruise ended. 

[schittenden]

15 hours ago, tfred said:

I think that enough pax have figured out that Covid is probably "cold like" symptoms and why go through the ship protocols - isolation, haz mat suits and escort off the ship into a limo at the end  - if that is all it is.  

 

Pre cruise testing is interesting but it isn't stopping on board outbreaks and I think that outbreak number is higher than you think once you include post cruise and non reporters on board 

 

wonder how long the on board isolation can/will go on now that other public covid protocols are going away?

That’s all fine and dandy until the person who gets infected gets a severe case and winds up dead so that you didn’t have to interrupt your vacation.  

[Ronin23]

1 hour ago, schittenden said:

Maybe so you can appropriately isolate and not risk making fellow passengers ill?

That’s why you are vaccinated, to avoid getting seriously sick.  The majority of people can simply carry on.
This thing is endemic, are you going to test into perpetuity?

[Ronin23]

1 hour ago, schittenden said:

That’s all fine and dandy until the person who gets infected gets a severe case and winds up dead so that you didn’t have to interrupt your vacation.  

That could easily happen with Influenza…were you constantly testing and isolating for that previously?

 

Seriously, if you are that immunocompromised you shouldn’t be on a cruise. 

[sgmn]

7 hours ago, schittenden said:

Definitely from the cruise. I tested positive the day after the cruise ended. 

Wonder if all these stories of covid after arriving home means that there will be less back to back and longer cruises taken. 

I've just seen an amazing price for next month on QE2 45 days from Southampton to LAX on my interline travel agents website. 

Also presume that most people are infectious for a couple of days before symptoms and positive tests. I was. 

[hooskydo]

9 hours ago, Ronin23 said:

Why even notify the cruise line if you test positive on board, knowing that effectively ends your cruise?

 

Unless you are seriously sick, which in most cases doesn’t happen now, then there is no upside.

Because it's the right thing to do. You may not be seriously sick but someone might be, even if vaccinated. It spreads too quickly to too many people.

 

Yes, it's like a head cold but head colds suck. I am on day 10 and I still am not 100%. If I was not retired I would not have been able to return to work yet.

 

Make good choices, be considerate to others.

[schittenden]

8 hours ago, Ronin23 said:

That could easily happen with Influenza…were you constantly testing and isolating for that previously?

 

Seriously, if you are that immunocompromised you shouldn’t be on a cruise. 

If I suspected I might have influenza, I probably would have tested, and I probably would have isolated. I have only had a legitimate flu once (with many colds to go with it). I can’t imagine having it and wanting to do anything but isolate. 

[schittenden]

9 hours ago, Ronin23 said:

That’s why you are vaccinated, to avoid getting seriously sick.  The majority of people can simply carry on.
This thing is endemic, are you going to test into perpetuity?

Some people who are vaccinated still get seriously sick. Some people cannot be vaccinated. I believe in being a little more courteous toward my fellow humans, rather than be focused solely on myself and what I desire. 

[Julma]

23 hours ago, cangelmd said:

Very good question, I doubt very seriously they have any interest in hearing from us. Public health officials highly encourage self reporting positive home tests. There are so many positive home tests now, it is thought that is affecting the overall case numbers. I didnt report my positive test, in my state I'm not certain there is anyone to report it to, and I'm an MD.

I tried and I no one wanted to hear about it.  They actually told me to go get a PCR so it would be documented.  I was sick and that didn't seem like the best idea for me or anyone who I came in contact with.

[ciera123]

21 hours ago, Ronin23 said:

Why even notify the cruise line if you test positive on board, knowing that effectively ends your cruise?

 

Unless you are seriously sick, which in most cases doesn’t happen now, then there is no upside.

This is the exact “thinking” that will get cruising shut down again. I certainly hope most people aren’t this selfish!!! 

[Oville]

23 hours ago, Ronin23 said:

Why even notify the cruise line if you test positive on board, knowing that effectively ends your cruise?

 

Unless you are seriously sick, which in most cases doesn’t happen now, then there is no upside.

Guessing you are a troll right and maybe looking for attention?

[Ronin23]

3 hours ago, Oville said:

Guessing you are a troll right and maybe looking for attention?

Yeah that’s it, you got me. 🤦‍♂️

[Ronin23]

7 hours ago, ciera123 said:

This is the exact “thinking” that will get cruising shut down again. I certainly hope most people aren’t this selfish!!! 

Jumped the shark on that one. If most people have a simple head cold or runny nose, do you honestly think they are going to test and isolate and potentially ruin their cruise over it? You are very naive if you think that, most will just get on with their holiday.

[ciera123]

5 hours ago, Ronin23 said:

Jumped the shark on that one. If most people have a simple head cold or runny nose, do you honestly think they are going to test and isolate and potentially ruin their cruise over it? You are very naive if you think that, most will just get on with their holiday.

If it’s a simple head cold or runny nose, let the medical staff test. If negative, go about your business and do as you want. If it’s positive, have some consideration for others and isolate. It’s really pretty simple.