u/oldgreyhouse

Has anyone gotten this bug that seems to be going around? Fever, shortness of breath, fatigue, loss of smell but Covid and Flu rapid tests comeback negative?

We are in the midst of a huge wave of Covid infections nationally and according to the waste water, Los Angeles County is reporting Very High Levels of Covid right now.

If you are feeling sick, you very likely have Covid.

Why can’t we trust the rapid tests? Unfortunately, rapid antigen tests have not kept up with the currently circulating strains of Covid so they are not sensitive enough to produce positive results. Only PCRs or molecular tests (ie Metrix or PlusLife) can give you reliable results.

You can track accurate waste water data here (works best on a desktop):

https://pmc19.com/

You can also find up to date information on Dr. Michael Hoerger’s IG: @michael_hoerger

How can we keep from getting sick? Covid primarily spreads through the air. Running air purifiers (HEPA or MERV), opening windows, or moving gatherings outside will improve the air quality and decrease the likelihood of airborne transmission.

Washing hands and using sanitizer are healthy practices but they do not prevent Covid infections.

The most reliable tool we have right now to prevent airborne illness is a well-fitting KN95/N95 (or better) mask. Viruses spread most efficiently in confined, crowded, unventilated spaces, like classrooms, restaurants, doctors offices, exam rooms, waiting rooms, planes, trains, buses, ride shares, and even grocery stores or department stores. A high quality respirator mask filters the air you breathe.

It’s not fun to think about this stuff but it’s important to use the preventative tools and information we have access to. If you’re feeling sick, stay home from work and rest, if you can. Wear a well fitting mask. You deserve to take care of yourself.

Free masks: @maskblocLA on IG

DM me if you have any questions or need help getting masks, purifiers, etc.

EDIT: There are some really helpful comments here that detail the experiences people have been having with Covid infections and other viruses. Thank you so much for sharing!

I am a caregiver who has kept up with the science on Covid, which is why I know a lot about it. It’s not exciting or something that I particularly enjoy knowing about but it’s pretty much impossible to forget one you learn it. I also completely understand wanting to forget about Covid, about quarantine, about being sick at all. I’d love for it to all go away but unfortunately it just doesn’t work that way. If you have been having any unexplained health problems, check out the responses here because they could offer some clarity. I’m also happy to talk to anyone privately and I really have no judgment if anyone finds this confusing or even doesn’t want to believe it at all.

Hit me fast and hard last Monday. Still battling it.

My gf, I and our friend has al been experiencing stomach flu like symptoms

An unidentified illness is stumping medical professionals and keeping patients sick for weeks on end in the Des Moines area.

Janae Brown, an advanced registered nurse practitioner at UnityPoint Clinic Family Medicine on Ingersoll, said the clinic and attached urgent care are seeing multiple patients each day with runny noses, coughs and congestion. Many feel sick for about a week, but symptoms return soon after.

“They’re hanging on to this bug for around a month.”

Brown said the cases do not appear to be COVID-19, flu or strep, and give negative results when she tests for those viruses or other common illnesses. With no clear diagnosis, it’s difficult to give patients a clear timeline or guidance for recovery.

Brown said patients generally improve with rest and care at home, but some cases have developed into pneumonia.

Flu season in Alberta is off to a rough start.

Data from the province indicates there have already been 428 lab-confirmed cases of seasonal influenza — and one death — since the season began on Aug. 30.

From Sept. 27 to Oct. 3, there were 194 influenza cases, 21 hospitalizations and two ICU cases.

The flu vaccine doesn't become available until Oct. 19, with the exception of some congregate care settings in which the province says the vaccine is already being administered to vulnerable people.

Hello friends, a few days ago I noticed my back was aching but didn’t think much of it. Yesterday I woke up with an extremely sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and sweats. I feel as bad as I did the first time I actually tested positive for Covid. I can’t sleep because my body won’t stop hurting and or the chills / sweats. I just paid to have a covid test delivered this morning and after 5 minutes everything came back negative, checking again in 10 minutes. Not sure what to believe because in the past I’ve tested negative for covid while confirmed having it hours later. I did onto get the Covid vaccine fyi. Anyone else experiencing this sickness? I just want to be able to sleep

HOLY SHIT JUST STAY HOME FFS

Entre les tentes de retour hors des pharmacies, la rupture de stock des tests en pharmacie et les 2/3 des collègues malades - c’est un beau variant.

J’ai pris cher pendant 3j, bon courage aux malades 🫡

just tested positive for covid yall </3 my symptoms are extremely mild, just nausea, a sore throat, and a mild headache. if you have any weird symptoms at ALL, PLEASE test and STAY HOME

I'm at one week, and still dragging. Such a slow and long recovery.

Tested negative for both flu and covid... but who knows anymore. Excited to not be congested, and be able to breathe again someday...

Who else is feeling it?

Hope the Destiny team is able to get some rest. We got off a 5 day yesterday. We watched our serving team gradually dwindle over the course of the trip with those left standing running their butts off trying to keep up. By the last day it was confirmed that there was a virus going around. Husband is now dealing with COVID. Stay healthy y'all.

My son brought it home from school last Monday, and it’s taken all week to make its way through the whole house. It’s truly gross: hours of vomiting, and just when you think it’s over... nope, it starts coming out the other end. It’s awful. My kids, my husband, and I have all been laid low by this virus.

Besides, some coworkers and friends have been having a hard time too. So, there’s definitely something going around.

Headache, cough, super sore throat?

Just me? EDIT: looks like lots of others are sick too! Get well soon! Thanks for all the responses. replies and suggestions! Stay well everyone!

Staying home trying to figure out where I caught this bug.

Haven't had it in 4 years, this is my third bout with it and thankfully just presented as a mild cold with loss of Taste and smell. My only interaction with the public was at a nightclub with my husband last Friday so im logically clocking that as where I got infected.

Just seeing if anyone else is dealing with it at the moment.

Is Covid coming back? Istg I know 3 people who had it last week. Wear ur masks people

Feeling some of the craziest aches yet - especially in the legs. Skin is so sensitive too. I feel like this is going to get bad. Anyone else sick right now? What symptoms do you have?

I heard it was going around and sure enough I ended up getting it, just wondered if it's truly "going around" or I just got unlucky.

So my art history teacher ( y'all might know who lol) came to class with Covid yesterday that she said she caught over the weekend.

She wasn't in class Monday, but we were warned of that weeks ahead. Yesterday we were supposed to do an in class writing assignment, and during this time she passed out papers to everyone.

Now I appreciate that she came with a mask, but honestly that really upset me that she still came to class, AND was passing out materials.

Why do teachers think it's okay to come to class sick (with an extremely contagious virus mind you) when they have to communicate and be around hundreds of students all day??? Didn't even warn us so we could bring our own masks 😭 I guess I'm just paranoid because I have so much going on and I absolutely cannot get sick right now, so her showing up with active sickness really pissed me off

What viral type illness have you guys heard of going around the area? It’s weird, so I’m curious if anyone has encountered anything similar.

I spent 5 hours in the ER last night to get a shot to help with some AWFUL joint aches.

Two COVID/flu tests were negative at home, also negative in the ER. Very mild sinus symptoms (but they’ve been around since before being sick).

Basically, I have had a fever (running 100 even with Tylenol and ibuprofen on board) and the worst joint aches I’ve ever encountered. Tried everything I could at home to manage the pain, and I tend to avoid the ER at all costs, but I just couldn’t get the pain to be manageable.

They determined it was a virus of unknown origin, as the basic tests of what you’d normally expect were all negative. Thankfully, they honored my request for steroid and Toradol shots to try to get things to calm down. Since it doesn’t seem to be respiratory in nature (at least for me), really the only thing I figured they could do was to try to damper my body’s inflammatory response.

Man! The crud is hitting hard very early this year! I’ve been sick as a dog for 3 days and still on the decline. Everyone I talk to has been sick recently too. Anyone know what we have circulating in the community so early?