On 4/24/2020 my blood results demonstrated IgG antibodies to SARS COV2 (Coronavirus Covid19).  Earlier this year, both in late December and around the Martin Luther King Day Holiday I was very sick with severe tiredness, fever and persistent cough.  Because I suspected exposure to Covid19, blood work was performed, and indeed I now have antibodies.  There is a lot of debate about what the (+) antibody test means, but as I understand it through my medical training, including a 1 month rotation at the National Institutes of Health with Dr. Anthony Fauci as my attending physician, and my own experience- I was exposed to Covid19 and became infected, I was sick, my body made antibodies to the virus, and I didn’t die.  As a result of having survived this Coronavirus infection, I should continue to have IgG antibodies in my plasma and therefore immunity from this particular strain of the virus for some time.  There is intense debate about immunity passports, continued need for social distancing once exposed and how long the period of Coronavirus immunity is- weeks, months, years, lifetime, etc.

In order to open Nevada, it is imperative that we test everyone in the state who believes that they have been exposed and that we gain an understanding of the true numbers of people who have been affected.  The test I had performed was by Quest and is the, “SARS COV2 Test 39504 CPT 86769”.  Las Vegas Dermatology will be offering regular medical appointments to patients who feel that they have been exposed to discuss testing and what it means.  The testing itself should be free per the CARES act- we are able to draw your blood in clinic and to send it Quest for evaluation.  In the future there will be better testing, so if you would rather wait on a test that includes IgM and viral load, early testing may not be for you.

Round 2 of DermBros Virtual Happy Hour was 4/24/2020 Dr. David Cotter and I were joined by Sin City Cupcakes owner and Congressional Candidate Lisa Song Sutton.  , and the feedback remains super positive!  Join us on Facebook and Instagram live under the @lvderm @hlgreenberg or @davidcottermdphd handles on 5/8/2020 at 4:30pm as Dr. David Cotter and I go for a 3rd Round of the DermBros- where will focus on Skin Cancer and Scars.

I had Covid,

Dr. Vegas