COVID-19: here’s what vaccinated people should do if exposed
As the more infectious delta variant continues to spread, causing a spike in cases and hospitalizations, experts are encouraging vaccinated people to get tested if they come in contact with someone with COVID-19 or experience symptoms.
The available vaccines are still effective at preventing someone from contracting the virus and are very effective at preventing serious illness and death. But the delta variant is proving to be more resistant to vaccines than previous strains, said Dr. Steve Threlkeld, medical director of infection prevention for Baptist Memorial Health Care.
In light of that, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its guidance on what vaccinated people should do if they come in contact with someone who has COVID-19.
Testing and masking
Dr. Shirin Mazumder, an infectious disease expert with the Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare System, said the CDC recommends vaccinated individuals get tested 3 to 5 days after coming in contact with someone with COVID-19.
“They also recommend that the person who’s been exposed wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days after the exposure or until they have a negative test,” she said. “They don’t need to quarantine, but they do recommend that people monitor for symptoms of COVID for 14 days after the exposure.”
Mazumder said vaccinated people are better protected, but she does see some breakthrough cases.
“It’s always better to be safe. So if you’re someone who’s having symptoms, even mild symptoms, it is better to get tested,” she said.
COVID-19 symptoms
While the vaccine does an excellent job of preventing serious illness and death, some people will get mild symptoms. Mazumder said she has seen a wide variety of symptoms from fever to fatigue.
“Things like sore throat, congestion, cough, people still can have loss of taste and smell, headaches, body aches,” she said. “More severe symptoms do include things like shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, confusion.”
Mazumder recommended anyone experiencing those symptoms get tested.
Testing locations in Shelby County can be found at covid19.memphistn.gov/resources/covid-19testing-sites-in-shelby-county.
Positive cases
Breakthrough cases remain rare, Threlkeld said. But he urged people not to assume that they don’t have COVID-19.
“What we don’t want to have happen is people, because they’re vaccinated, presume that they’re not only going to be safe but they’re also going to be completely uninfected,” he said. “Those people then may have a little sniffle and not think much about it, or maybe even be asymptomatic and then they go to school or work. And all of a sudden with the (transmission rate) of this virus, one person doing that can infect eight or nine other people.”
The CDC said people who test positive should isolate, stay in a separate room from other household members, use a separate bathroom, avoid contact with other members of the household and pets and wear a mask when around other people if able.
Threlkeld said given how transmissible the delta variant is, it is very likely that if one member of a household is infected, the others will be, too.