September Covid @Content

[mcppalmbeach]

I’m mostly just here to share misery and ask advice.

How is COVID presenting right now that you have heard?


My 6yo got his first illness of the school year Saturday. Sore throat, fever, tummy troubles (both ends). Covid testing him did not go well. Even being held he thrashed, kicked. I got a sample, not sure how great it was. But it was negative. I seriously don’t know how to get another test out of him. This sucks. The end.

[tiki]

Oh no! Sorry your 6yo is sick and testing was such a pain. Have you ever tried having him test himself? When it comes to something up your nose most people feel better being the one holding the swab. If he blows his nose before swabbing it will help get a good sample even if he doesn't quite do the full 5X swirl on each side.

[lilac05]

Sept 11, 2023 7:05:20 GMT -5 mcppalmbeach said:

I’m mostly just here to share misery and ask advice.

How is COVID presenting right now that you have heard?


My 6yo got his first illness of the school year Saturday. Sore throat, fever, tummy troubles (both ends). Covid testing him did not go well. Even being held he thrashed, kicked. I got a sample, not sure how great it was. But it was negative. I seriously don’t know how to get another test out of him. This sucks. The end.

I had sore throat, fever, congestion, and significant aches and fatigue. My husband had GI distress, headache, and fatigue. He works from home and we didn’t have extra tests at the time, so he didn’t test. We just assumed positive since I was sick & we had spent the entire day the day before in the car together when I already had a sore throat.

As far as testing, I have found that staying calm myself is most helpful, validating that it’s not fun, but needs to be done, and then pairing it with something they love. “We’re going to do this and then we’re going to…” We also called it nose tickles. I also went as shallow as I could while still getting a decent sample. .

[Velar Fricative]

Both my kids had it recently and had very similar symptoms - they both spiked fevers and the test immediately came back positive for both. The fevers were gone within hours. Along with the fevers, they also had cold-like symptoms (runny nose, fatigue, and a minor cough). I had similar symptoms this time too, but I've never spiked fevers when I've had covid.

But, symptoms seem to be manifesting very differently from person to person. I agree with the suggestion above of having him blow his nose just before testing and letting him do the swab himself. My 6yo loves doing it herself so she can pretend to be a doctor lol.

[devonpow]

My 16 year old tested positive this morning 😥 His first go round. His symptoms are exhaustion, a stuffy nose, and this morning he had a slight headache. Everything could have been easily written off and I only tested because I have medical anxiety and always assume the worst. He just finished his first week of school and is on the cross country team/did an 11 mile run yesterday, so fatigue seemed understandable (he did go to bed at 9 last night which set off alarm bells), his stuffiness is on par with typical allergies for him etc. I’m really hoping he doesn’t get a fever or cough - we shall see 😬🤞🤞

[rubytue]

I was just popping in to see if there was a September thread. Because, I realize that I am not up to date on everything. Also, I look back at 2020/2021 me and feel like I’ve thrown caution to the wind these days.

H tested positive 14 days ago. Got paxlovid. Still tested positive at the end of it, and never took another test. Friday, he started getting a sinus infection-type symptoms. Which it’s on the outside end of potential rebound. Before we went out last night (I did not want to go, so yeah, I thought I was reaching for an excuse), I suggested he take a test just to make sure it wasn’t rebound. He tested positive again (bonus, we stayed in!)

I know the guidance is he should re-isolate. But, I must admit I’m questioning if that’s just a caution or a real, known transmission thing. Cause there were two days before I made him test. And also, completely different symptoms. Like, after a cold, this would clearly be a sinus infection they developed 7-10 days after.

[wanderingback]

Few random updates - I’ll add links later when I find them again:

CDC has said even with Covid vaccines going through private market now they’ll be buying through next year to ensure access to everyone/those without insurance.

Late august the southeast of US had increased rsv activity.

NY state announced that the rsv vaccine for adults over 60 will be added to list of vaccines that pharmacists can administer (I need to tell my parents to be on the lookout of when to get the vaccine).

@@@@
Personally speaking, I think me, my partner and my daughter all had colds recently (maybe rsv??). My partner had sniffles, 4 negative tests, then my daughter got sniffles, 2 negative tests, then I got sniffles, 3 negative tests and we were visiting my mom and then she said she had sniffles, 1 negative test. I rarely rarely get sick so sniffles for 2 days was def not the norm so I def felt the need to covid test, but when I had covid I had cough, congestion and sniffles for much longer, so glad it was only a 2 day thing and wasn’t covid.

[aurora]

My recent bout was mostly tiredness at first. I think I had a mild, short-lived fever in the middle, then mild cough and stuffy/runny nose. So, pretty typical cold symptoms.

I also didn't test positive on the first day I tested but did two days later.

I hope your DS recovers quickly from whatever he has!

[Jalapeñomel]

My kid had a fever on Friday-Sunday, woke up fever free today. COVID is negative, but two teachers at my school are home with kids who have COVID.

[rubytue]

Updating my previous - H had a video appointment, hoping to push the sinus infection line. He did not succeed. NP said it’s Covid rebound, and not uncommon to present like a sinus infection. So he gets some prednisone and mucsinex to dry him out. And now he is cranky with the “I know this is a sinus infection”. And I’m having to be the rational one and remind him to try this to clear him out so he doesn’t actual develop one.

[starburst]

DS1 tested positive for the first time last Wednesday. I noticed that he had a runny nose on Monday, but thought it was because I've been forgetting to give him his zyrtec for allergies. He was congested on Tuesday, and then Wednesday evening he said he was tired, which always means he's sick. He had a fever and was immediately positive on a rapid test. He felt much better the next day and by Friday he was back to normal. We're all masking and trying to keep our distance and so far the rest of the family has been negative, but DS2 started with a runny nose yesterday. Still testing negative though.

[jeaniebueller]

Not totally covid related, but since we are talking vaccines--When are you guys and your kids getting your flu shots?

[StrawberryBlondie]

Sept 11, 2023 10:58:55 GMT -5 jeaniebueller said:

Not totally covid related, but since we are talking vaccines--When are you guys and your kids getting your flu shots?

We have an appointment in about 3 weeks. So early October.

[breezy8407]

Sept 11, 2023 10:58:55 GMT -5 jeaniebueller said:

Not totally covid related, but since we are talking vaccines--When are you guys and your kids getting your flu shots?

Mine have their annual well visit in a couple weeks, so it depends on if they are ready. I might wait until October though. They both got hit really hard with influenza A in November last year. Seems like the advice I've seen is to wait as long as you can so the protection lasts in case of a later flu season. 

[Velar Fricative]

Sept 11, 2023 10:58:55 GMT -5 jeaniebueller said:

Not totally covid related, but since we are talking vaccines--When are you guys and your kids getting your flu shots?

We always get them during DD1's annual well check around late October. For now that's still the plan. 

[abs]

Sept 11, 2023 10:58:55 GMT -5 jeaniebueller said:

Not totally covid related, but since we are talking vaccines--When are you guys and your kids getting your flu shots?

We are doing early October. Last year flu ramped up so early so I don’t want to wait too long but also want protection for a November and February trip. We didn’t get one in time last fall and flu hit DD hard. Hopefully we time it better this time.

[tacokick]

Sept 11, 2023 10:58:55 GMT -5 jeaniebueller said:

Not totally covid related, but since we are talking vaccines--When are you guys and your kids getting your flu shots?

I got mine almost two weeks ago! I was there and they had it. They said no reason to wait and the trend with flu has been earlier than later.

[VillainV]

My university is no longer issuing excused absences for COVID, so I expect lots of students will show up to class sick, and that it will spread like wildfire.

My niece and nephew (in a different state) both got COVID over the holiday weekend and just kept on going about their business (school, work, being in public…probably unmasked) while sick. I think a lot of people just don’t GAF anymore, so I’m anticipating that it’s gonna get pretty bad.

[Velar Fricative]

When my kids just had it, there were basically two days where, even if I wanted to say fuck everyone and bring them outside, they just weren't well enough to want to go outside. So I'm baffled by people la-di-da-ing all over the place when they have covid. Even I wanted to be nowhere that wasn't my own bed for a couple of days. But we still stayed home for five days each.

I've been trying to compare in my head the experience with that first omicron wave and right now - that omicron wave was nuts too but somehow it feels less nuts then now, and VillainV's post made me think it's likely because this variant seems to hit most people in a mild enough way that people have no issue with leaving the house as soon as they feel up for it even if it's only been a day or two (or even without staying in at all if they feel okay the whole time). Meanwhile masking up in public was more expected during the omicron wave and people probably took the 5-day isolation (or longer) more seriously. Which means lots more people are getting sick now (probably).

[lilac05]

Sept 11, 2023 12:31:00 GMT -5 VillainV said:

My university is no longer issuing excused absences for COVID, so I expect lots of students will show up to class sick, and that it will spread like wildfire.

My niece and nephew (in a different state) both got COVID over the holiday weekend and just kept on going about their business (school, work, being in public…probably unmasked) while sick. I think a lot of people just don’t GAF anymore, so I’m anticipating that it’s gonna get pretty bad.

This has been our experience, too. Our school just requires the same as any other illness now…fever free for 24 hours, if even that. I tested and followed guidelines, and everyone’s response was basically, “Why did you even test??” I work in patient care, and our rule is not even consistent with CDC. Isolation 7 days, can return to work as long as fever/diarrhea free for 24 hours and symptoms improving. Mask if you still have symptoms.

It’s the right thing to do, but it also feels like punishment in a way when you know no one else is following the rules. I felt fine and could have been at my kids’ activities this weekend enjoying the beautiful weather like everyone else who has the same thing…but I stayed home.

[Deleted]

When I had it last month it started off with a runny nose and cold symptoms. 3 days in I spiked a fever, the cold symptoms worsened, and I developed the headache from hell.

[escrow]

DD brought it home for the whole family a few weeks ago. She was just tired with a mild cough, then 2 days later I came down with an awful headache that nothing would touch. The next day all 3 of us tested +, DD was pretty much feeling fine but DH and I were in bed for 2 days straight, awful body aches, headache and general exhaustion. THat let up after 2.5 days or so. DH had some tight chest/coughing for a few days afterward. Mine turned into an awful sinus clogging which resulted in a few days of gnarly vertigo. I asked my doctor for antibiotics after about 1.5 weeks, just started yesterday so hoping it helps and it isn't a rebound thing.

[akayf]

Just curious….what are the current guidelines/recommendations? A co-worker tested positive last Monday and was out all week. They were in today with no mask. Isn’t it still isolate/quarantine for 5 days then mask for the next 5 days?

[fortnightlily]

Sept 11, 2023 15:20:28 GMT -5 akayf said:

Just curious….what are the current guidelines/recommendations? A co-worker tested positive last Monday and was out all week. They were in today with no mask. Isn’t it still isolate/quarantine for 5 days then mask for the next 5 days?

Yes, but you can test out of isolation or masking early. www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html

[lilac05]

Sept 11, 2023 15:20:28 GMT -5 akayf said:

Just curious….what are the current guidelines/recommendations? A co-worker tested positive last Monday and was out all week. They were in today with no mask. Isn’t it still isolate/quarantine for 5 days then mask for the next 5 days?

Basically, CDC says mask through day 10; however, if you test negative twice after Day 5, you can stop wearing a mask. There’s a link to how to specifically do it “right”…though not even my hospital is enforcing that part. They say 7 days isolation and no symptoms = back to work like normal (masks not required).

[rubytue]

Sept 11, 2023 15:20:28 GMT -5 akayf said:

Just curious….what are the current guidelines/recommendations? A co-worker tested positive last Monday and was out all week. They were in today with no mask. Isn’t it still isolate/quarantine for 5 days then mask for the next 5 days?

From my H’s faster visit summary today: Should wear a well-fitting masked, not travel, and avoid public gatherings or exposure to high risk individualls until: (Day 10)

[suburbanzookeeper]

My oldest brought it home from school with general allergy symptoms the last week of August - tested negative 3x, then it hit me, I tested negative, then so positive it was a clear bold line before the control line popped. I felt like I got hit by a bus but couldn't sleep. Ended up with full blown laryngitis and no voice, started Paxlovid on 9/3 and am still not 100% back to normal. My husband and son never tested positive, B tested positive two days after I did with the faintest of positives and continued to test negative after that.

I kept the kids home Tuesday & Wednesday, sent them back masked and we got a whole smattering of different responses between the two schools. This winter is going to be a shit show.

[devonpow]

DS’s high school’s protocol is isolate for 5 days from start if symptoms and then you can return but need to wear a mask indoors until day 10. I asked the nurse this morning if he could test out of the mask wearing (if he gets two negatives in a row before day 10) and she said no but more because they have no way of following up/making sure this is complied with so they just have blanket protocol to mask.

[erbear]

Sept 11, 2023 10:58:55 GMT -5 jeaniebueller said:

Not totally covid related, but since we are talking vaccines--When are you guys and your kids getting your flu shots?

DD2 (12) has an appointment at the pedi tomorrow. Couldn't get one for DD1 (14). Hoping maybe they'll just jab her too (they often do) or she can get one at CVS. We usually do them now-ish

[erbear]

Sept 11, 2023 15:20:28 GMT -5 akayf said:

Just curious….what are the current guidelines/recommendations? A co-worker tested positive last Monday and was out all week. They were in today with no mask. Isn’t it still isolate/quarantine for 5 days then mask for the next 5 days?

My school says we're following CDC guidelines and a positive test = home for 5 days + masking for another 5. Masking for a home contact for 10 days