Soul of the Blues

ASHEVILLE, NC  – April 5, 2023 – I’ve been isolating at home since my COVID symptoms officially began on March 20^th. Day 1 of isolation started the following day, the first full day after the symptoms began. I was too sick to get out of bed for 2 days, Day 1 & 2 of isolation. I began a 5-day course of treatment with Paxlovid on Day 1. Paxlovid is for the early-stage treatment of mild to moderate disease in at-risk persons. It has been proven effective at reducing the risk of developing severe disease and death in high-risk people and reducing the risk of having long COVID symptoms.

Each day that followed was better than the day before. My fever resolved by Day 3. I was able to walk the dogs twice a day, play my guitar, and even use my exercise bike indoors. My isolation period was over after 5 full days and because my fever had resolved more than 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicines. The CDC recommends wearing a mask for 5 more days if I was in a public indoors space or indoors with other people. I took a COVID test on Day 8. It was negative! I suspected that the mild ongoing fatigue was par for the COVID course. By Day 10 of isolation, my COVID headache and cough returned. However, this time my test was positive! As the day progressed, so did my symptoms of intense headache, nagging cough, fatigue, chills and fever to 100.8 in spite of taking Tylenol.

Dr Anthony Fauci, the recently retired  Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and President Biden have had a COVID ‘rebound’ infection after taken the COVID anti-viral medicine Paxlovid. However, according to the CDC, COVID rebound can also occur in patients not taking Paxlovid. People infected with COVID can have symptoms that worsen and recede before going away completely similar to many other respiratory virus infections, like the common cold and the flu. Symptoms of COVID rebound are usually less severe than the original illness. Estimates are as high as 30% of untreated COVID patients can develop a rebound. The CDC reports that COVID rebound can occur between 2 and 8 days after the first recovery. It is characterized by a recurrence of COVID symptoms or a new positive test after having tested negative. The CDC says that there is no need for any further medical treatment for COVID rebound after Paxlovid treatment. COVID rebound does not represent a new infection; however, it can be spread to others during the period of rebound.

I’ve cancelled all my activities for another 10 days. My original Day 10 is now my new Day 1. My new Day 10 will be on April 8^th. I plan to test on the new Day 8 and again 48 hours later on the new Day 10.

Listen to the full report below:

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

WASHINGTON, DC – March 29, 2023 – On March 29^th, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved selling the opioid overdose-reversing drug naloxone (trade name Narcan) without a prescription. This can improve access to a life-saving medicine in an effort to reduce the number of deaths from drug overdose. The over-the-counter (OTC) form will be available by the end of the summer. Manufacturers of generic versions will have to file separate applications to the FDA requesting OTC status.

Narcan is a nasal spray and the most popular form of naloxone. It is manufactured by Emergent BioSolutions, a U.S. pharmaceutical company. The U.S. opioid crisis has resulted in more than 100 thousand overdose deaths a year between October 2021 to October 2022 (according to CDC data). A majority of these deaths are linked to fentanyl, a very potent synthetic opioid. Naloxone can reverse opioid overdoses, of street drugs (heroin, fentanyl) and prescription medicine (oxycodone).

Harm reduction can reduce the risks that may be associated with drug use practices and offer support options. Community-based naloxone distribution is an important option for overdose prevention. Substance use advocates have been recommending that Narcan be available without prescription. Having this life-saving medicine available where people use drugs and where people are more likely to be around overdoses can reduce deaths.

Pharmacies have been allowed to sell naloxone without a prescription because of favorable standing order laws in every state in the U.S. including North Carolina. Consumers must ask the pharmacist for the medicine before buying it. In spite of these laws, Narcan has not been available at every retail pharmacy. This life-saving medicine is also available at local health departments, with first responders, and syringe service programs at little or no charge. Following the FDA action, Narcan could potentially be available at convenience stores, gas stations, supermarkets and online where other over-the-counter medicine are sold.

The new FDA ruling does not directly affect what manufactures and pharmacies charge for the medicine. A Narcan kit of 2 doses of nasal spray can cost from $50 to $143. Many insurances cover the cost; however, uninsured people would have to pay the full retail price.

FDA Commissioner Robert Califf said in a statement, “Today’s approval of OTC naloxone spray will help improve access to naloxone, increase the number of locations where it’s available and help reduce opioid overdose deaths throughout the country.”

Listen to the full report below:

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]

ASHEVILLE, NC – April 5, 2023 – The CDC reports that the community level for Buncombe County remains at a low level for the week ending March 27^th. Every county in North Carolina has been low for the past 3 weeks. About 90% of the counties in the U.S. are at a low level with less than 1% at a high level.

The CDC reports that the community transmission level for Buncombe County remains at a substantial level for the week ending March 27^th. Most counties in North Carolina have been at a moderate level. More than 30% of the counties in the U.S. are at a high level with about 10% at a low level.

The Buncombe County COVID-19 metrics are on the North Carolina COVID Dashboard. Data from the week ending on March 25^th indicate:

• Last week’s total cases are up by 11 (16%) from the previous week
• 68% of the total population have received their initial vaccination series.
• 33% of people with their initial vaccination series have had the updated booster, up 1% from last week.
• The seven-day daily average of COVID-19 hospitalizations has decreased by 1 and of ICU patients has decreased by 1 from last week.

An updated COVID-19 booster is now available for eligible persons 6 months and older. It is more effective at protecting against severe illness and death from the new variants.

The Department of Health and Human Services recommends:

• Stay up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines and the updated booster.
• People with any COVID symptoms should get tested
• People who are positive for COVID-19 or do not feel well should stay home

For a county at a low community level, like Buncombe County, the CDC recommends:

• If you are at high risk for getting sick, wear a high-quality mask in a public indoors space.
• If you plan on being with someone at high risk for getting sick, consider self-testing for COVID-19 infection and wear a high-quality mask when indoors with them.

Listen to the full report below:

Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]