BANGKOK (NNT) - Covid patients infected by the BA.5 Omicron subvariant are now found in greater numbers than those with the BA.4 subvariant. Both strains have been found to produce symptoms more severe than those caused by the BA.2 strain. Nonetheless, health authorities are asserting that booster shots of the vaccine help to prevent severe symptoms.

 

The Department of Medical Sciences (DMS) indicated it inspected 468 samples over the past week to determine the strain of the coronavirus in each. DMS Director-General Supakit Sirilak said 16 samples were from people who entered Thailand from abroad. 345 samples were from local patients who were without severe symptoms. 107 samples were from local patients who had severe symptoms or who died from COVID-19.

 

About 320 of all samples were of the BA.4 or BA.5 strains. Dr. Supakit said the two subvariants have thus already established dominance. All of the randomly analyzed samples from international travelers entering Thailand involved the two subvariants.

Dr. Supakit said speculation can be made about the two subvariants producing more severe symptoms than the BA.2 strain. However, the degree of severity remains to be determined.

 

The DMS conducted a Plaque Reduction Neutralization Test to determine the immunity level that booster shot recipients have against the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants. The tests were done on samples collected from people who received two shots of either the Sinovac or AstraZeneca vaccines before receiving a booster. Booster shots used included the AstraZeneca vaccine and the Pfizer vaccine. Immunity levels against the BA.4 and BA.5 strains dropped significantly for all combinations of vaccines when compared to immunity against the BA.2 strain.

 

Dr. Supakit explained that Covid reinfection by the two subvariants is possible in persons who have recently recovered from the BA.2 strain. He called on those who had their most recent Covid shot a long time ago to get a booster jab. This would improve immunity and reduce the severity of symptoms when an infection does occur.

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2022-07-27

 

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12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Both strains have been found to produce symptoms more severe than those caused by the BA.2 strain

two boxes of tissues instead of one

 

I have known Thai friends who will go to a doctor for a slight cold, next day day they show off the pile of tablets they got - meanwhile (speaking for myself) I buy a box of tissues and lay low for a couple of days

Some people have made so much money from this illness they do not want it to end and want to keep it in the press and people's heads

Only seems to be more severe in Thailand.........

title doesn't correspond with text:

"Dr. Supakit said speculation can be made about the two subvariants producing more severe symptoms than the BA.2 strain. However, the degree of severity remains to be determined."

 

Those 2 latest variants appeared in Europe since April and at the same time liberalisation of covid rules were going on.

Yes, there is the summer wave in Europe, because of tourism, but non of those countries are re-instating laws. Even vax certificates are ignored, for the time being. Some countries only contemplating the second booster for vulnerable.

There is small mortality rate and hospitals are also in holiday-mode.

 

I just came back to the states for a visit and my doc here said wait till the new vaccines designed for the latest variants come out in the fall, and then get a booster.

8 hours ago, internationalism said:

hospitals are also in holiday-mode.

No,  they are not. Unfortunately. ICUs in Europe are mostly not overcrowded, but certainly not empty

7 hours ago, Enzian said:

new vaccines designed for the latest variants

These new vaccines are designed for BA.1,  the variant of January/ February. 

We are at BA.4 and BA.5 now. They are not designed for this. 

Nobody knows what variant will be the fall wave.

 

It's nailing people down that I know, Americans and British, for 9 days plus- bed ridden. Here in Pattaya

Edited July 28, 20223 yr by The Hammer2021

8 minutes ago, The Hammer2021 said:

It's nailing people down that I know, Americans and British, for 9 days plus- bed ridden. Here in Pattaya

I am fully vaccinated, so some moderate fatigue for four days, didn't take my morning walk. Get your boosters, don't wait, and you can still get the new versions later this year. 

 

55 minutes ago, Boomer6969 said:

I am fully vaccinated, so some moderate fatigue for four days, didn't take my morning walk. Get your boosters, don't wait, and you can still get the new versions later this year. 

 

Yes. One of these people had no vaccination but had a three  day illness two months ago the other had two shots but no boosters. I had  my 4th booster last week in Pattaya

9 hours ago, Enzian said:

I just came back to the states for a visit and my doc here said wait till the new vaccines designed for the latest variants come out in the fall, and then get a booster.

And they are talking about a multivariate vaccine  soon

https://southwarknews.co.uk/news/health/groundbreaking-multi-variant-covid-19-vaccine-to-trial-at-kings-college-hospital/

Edited July 28, 20223 yr by The Hammer2021

11 hours ago, sungod said:

Only seems to be more severe in Thailand.........

And UK

16 hours ago, smedly said:

two boxes of tissues instead of one

 

I have known Thai friends who will go to a doctor for a slight cold, next day day they show off the pile of tablets they got - meanwhile (speaking for myself) I buy a box of tissues and lay low for a couple of days

Agreed. Having a fisful of meds is akin to a badge of honour.

A hospital stay is legend status.

1 hour ago, The Hammer2021 said:

It's nailing people down that I know, Americans and British, for 9 days plus- bed ridden. Here in Pattaya

Were they vaccinated?

1 minute ago, Lucky Bones said:

Agreed. Having a fisful of meds is akin to a badge of honour.

A hospital stay is legend status.

That's all very funny but I have one friend very ill with covid now, bedridden  weal and scared. A strong American man with two vaccinations but no booster and one English guy second time round this time he's not laughing anymore. 9 days unable to leave his room....Now recovering waiting for long covid.

4 minutes ago, BangkokHank said:

Were they vaccinated?

One wasn't. One had two shots but no boosters.

16 hours ago, smedly said:

two boxes of tissues instead of one

 

I have known Thai friends who will go to a doctor for a slight cold, next day day they show off the pile of tablets they got - meanwhile (speaking for myself) I buy a box of tissues and lay low for a couple of days

I spend time in the wifes' village. Went to the local clinic twice.

Bronchitis and a eye infection. Both times I received 6 diff meds looking suspiciously similar each time.

Recognized one tab as paracetamol.

Next time I will catch a bus back to my local doc in Pattaya and receive a ridgy didge antibiotic.

Just now, Lucky Bones said:

I spend time in the wifes' village. Went to the local clinic twice.

Bronchitis and a eye infection. Both times I received 6 diff meds looking suspiciously similar each time.

Recognized one tab as paracetamol.

Next time I will catch a bus back to my local doc in Pattaya and receive a ridgy didge antibiotic.

If you want antibiotics buy them from a pharmacy.

Paracetemol reduces pain, fever and inflammation.

4 minutes ago, The Hammer2021 said:

If you want antibiotics buy them from a pharmacy.

Paracetemol reduces pain, fever and inflammation.

Thanks, I wasn't aware of that (sarcasm alert).

Not sure if the pharmacist is qualified to determine what your health issue may be. Possibly well qualified to sell what is asked of them.

9 minutes ago, Lucky Bones said:

Thanks, I wasn't aware of that (sarcasm alert).

Not sure if the pharmacist is qualified to determine what your health issue may be. Possibly well qualified to sell what is asked of them.

I just thought your condition merited paracetamol but you seemed to questioning receiving them.

Yes. The status and training of qualified pharmacacists both here and abroad and now in England allows them to diagnose and issue medicines on the basis of said diagnosis.

Amoxycyclin is probably what you would have asked and yes they would  have sold them to you unlike the UK. Amazing Thailand.

The important thing is you got better without using antibiotics or travelling here to Pattaya. Good luck.

1 hour ago, The Hammer2021 said:

That's all very funny but I have one friend very ill with covid now, bedridden  weal and scared. A strong American man with two vaccinations but no booster and one English guy second time round this time he's not laughing anymore. 9 days unable to leave his room....Now recovering waiting for long covid.

Are they or were they on prescribed  antiviral treatment during their sickness ?

if taken early the treatment  can help lessen the effects.

Edited July 28, 20223 yr by riclag

20 minutes ago, riclag said:

Are they or were they on prescribed  antiviral treatment during their sickness ?

if taken early the treatment  can help lessen the effects.

One is still too sick to leave the room.  I don't  think but not sure they got  antivirals. Which ones are recognised as being effective?

Just for culture contrast, if you ask a pharmacist in Thailand or many parts of Europe for something for a specific problem they will suggest and sell you something. In the US, having been gone for a long time last year, I asked the CVS pharmacy for something for constipation and they went high horse and said don't ask we can't answer questions like that go see your doctor. I had forgot that I could just Google, but I did contact my Kaiser doctor and he was very helpful.

7 hours ago, The Hammer2021 said:

I just thought your condition merited paracetamol but you seemed to questioning receiving them.

Yes. The status and training of qualified pharmacacists both here and abroad and now in England allows them to diagnose and issue medicines on the basis of said diagnosis.

Amoxycyclin is probably what you would have asked and yes they would  have sold them to you unlike the UK. Amazing Thailand.

The important thing is you got better without using antibiotics or travelling here to Pattaya. Good luck.

So, please clarify.

Are these "pharmacists" now medical practitioners?

The pharmacist can perhaps detect underlying issues relating to (say) a stomach ulcer by looking at me over the counter?

Likely that google is their #1 friend, closely followed by a sale of whatever.

11 hours ago, Enzian said:

Just for culture contrast, if you ask a pharmacist in Thailand or many parts of Europe for something for a specific problem they will suggest and sell you something. In the US, having been gone for a long time last year, I asked the CVS pharmacy for something for constipation and they went high horse and said don't ask we can't answer questions like that go see your doctor. I had forgot that I could just Google, but I did contact my Kaiser doctor and he was very helpful.

Some pharmacists are highly qualified others are just shop assistants

5 hours ago, Lucky Bones said:

So, please clarify.

Are these "pharmacists" now medical practitioners?

The pharmacist can perhaps detect underlying issues relating to (say) a stomach ulcer by looking at me over the counter?

Likely that google is their #1 friend, closely followed by a sale of whatever.

Pharmacists have been medical practitioners for years in Thailand and some other countries. Now qualified pharmacists in the UK can diagnose and prescribe medicines. Boots the chemist in England even has an examination room nowadays

1 hour ago, The Hammer2021 said:

Pharmacists have been medical practitioners for years in Thailand and some other countries. Now qualified pharmacists in the UK can diagnose and prescribe medicines. Boots the chemist in England even has an examination room nowadays

Last time I looked Thailand was not England and I can't recall seeing too many Boots here.

This is a Asean forum, not UK.

3 hours ago, Lucky Bones said:

Last time I looked Thailand was not England and I can't recall seeing too many Boots here.

This is a Asean forum, not UK.

There were around There are 277 Boots health stores in Thailand five years ago. One would assume that number has since grown some. OK, so you won't find one on every street corner, but I would imagine they're easy to find in most of Thailand's glossy malls these days. 

8 minutes ago, AddyA said:

There were around There are 277 Boots health stores in Thailand five years ago. One would assume that number has since grown some. OK, so you won't find one on every street corner, but I would imagine they're easy to find in most of Thailand's glossy malls these days. 

My bad. I only use Watsons to buy my evening face masks and other gender- bender goodies before visiting soi 6 Pattaya.

I'll keep my eyes peeled for boots of any and every type.