Covid: the first 48 hours
January 12, 2023 9:08 AM Subscribe
Partner just came down with COVID. What time-sensitive actions should we take?
-Testing myself as we speak. No symptoms yet for me.
-She's already called her doctor to confirm which if any antivirals are on the table. Is this enough? Should we go to urgent care instead? Any specific medications we should be asking for?
(-New England area, if it's relevant.)
-It isn't yet bad enough for the ER. Where's the line in the sand for that nowadays?
-For people who have had it: what kind of support do you wish you'd had during/after? What worked out well?
-Last I heard is people stop being infectious 10 days after onset of symptoms (as opposed to 10 days after the -end- of those symptoms, which would make more sense to me). Is this still true?
-What else am I not thinking of? Any opportunities that could become 'too late' later on.
(I realize there's been tons of covid questions lately. Reading through them now. Many are relevant but above questions remain.)
-Testing myself as we speak. No symptoms yet for me.
-She's already called her doctor to confirm which if any antivirals are on the table. Is this enough? Should we go to urgent care instead? Any specific medications we should be asking for?
(-New England area, if it's relevant.)
-It isn't yet bad enough for the ER. Where's the line in the sand for that nowadays?
-For people who have had it: what kind of support do you wish you'd had during/after? What worked out well?
-Last I heard is people stop being infectious 10 days after onset of symptoms (as opposed to 10 days after the -end- of those symptoms, which would make more sense to me). Is this still true?
-What else am I not thinking of? Any opportunities that could become 'too late' later on.
(I realize there's been tons of covid questions lately. Reading through them now. Many are relevant but above questions remain.)
Best answer: If you don't have a pulse oximeter, heating pad, painkillers, appetizing fluids, and thermometer in the house, maybe hop on shmamazon (I know, I know, but time is of the essence) and order them for swift delivery. Google around for the range of safe blood oxygen, and keep an eye on it. The line most folks I know have for going to the ER, these days, is if the blood oxygen dips too low, or the person begins struggling to breathe, or the fever spikes above like 103.
Most folks I know have never even gotten close to that, though. In general, if your partner is vaxxed and boosted, and isn't already dealing with health problems, you can expect some days of fatigue, soreness, cough and congestion, and probably some headaches.
Some people find acetominophen to be more effective than ibuprofen, others the reverse. Maybe grab both?
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 9:21 AM on January 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
Most folks I know have never even gotten close to that, though. In general, if your partner is vaxxed and boosted, and isn't already dealing with health problems, you can expect some days of fatigue, soreness, cough and congestion, and probably some headaches.
Some people find acetominophen to be more effective than ibuprofen, others the reverse. Maybe grab both?
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 9:21 AM on January 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I may or may not have caught covid over the holidays (My wife and I are still not testing positive, but the friend I spent several hours talking to in a small room did test positive, as did her spouse, and all of us have the same symptoms) and I'm in the NE, so it's possible it's the same strain. So some notes based on our experience:
- I have never felt anywhere near bad enough to feel like I needed medical attention, and the friend who had the worst symptoms got Paxlovid and said it helped hugely. She also hasn't had any secondary meds or anything. If you get a cough that really lingers, you might get that checked on - had another friend recently who developed an annoying secondary case of bronchiolitis and an inhaler was what cleared that up.
- Don't think you'll need the ER unless there's trouble breathing/low oxygen sat. I confess I didn't track mine but I didn't have any but the most minor shortness of breath.
- seconding the nasal spray if you have the nasty headache/sinus trouble set of symptoms. Keeping everything well-humidified also helps a ton.
- Throat Coat (slippery elm) tea was a lifesaver, as it always is.
- I got some zinc supplements (which have some clinical backing) and also took a lot of Emergen-C, which has less but makes me feel like I'm doing something.
- My appetite wasn't entirely gone but it was definitely nice to have some easy, uncomplicated food that I consistently like. And some of that was soup, which was perfect.
- I was seriously hazy and fatigued for several days, and that has taken the longest to pass. (It hasn't, quite.) I am being pretty religious about not pushing myself.
Hope some of that helps! It really hasn't been that bad, although I'm still paranoid about Long COVID. Almost three years was a pretty good run of not catching it.
posted by restless_nomad at 9:25 AM on January 12, 2023 [4 favorites]
- I have never felt anywhere near bad enough to feel like I needed medical attention, and the friend who had the worst symptoms got Paxlovid and said it helped hugely. She also hasn't had any secondary meds or anything. If you get a cough that really lingers, you might get that checked on - had another friend recently who developed an annoying secondary case of bronchiolitis and an inhaler was what cleared that up.
- Don't think you'll need the ER unless there's trouble breathing/low oxygen sat. I confess I didn't track mine but I didn't have any but the most minor shortness of breath.
- seconding the nasal spray if you have the nasty headache/sinus trouble set of symptoms. Keeping everything well-humidified also helps a ton.
- Throat Coat (slippery elm) tea was a lifesaver, as it always is.
- I got some zinc supplements (which have some clinical backing) and also took a lot of Emergen-C, which has less but makes me feel like I'm doing something.
- My appetite wasn't entirely gone but it was definitely nice to have some easy, uncomplicated food that I consistently like. And some of that was soup, which was perfect.
- I was seriously hazy and fatigued for several days, and that has taken the longest to pass. (It hasn't, quite.) I am being pretty religious about not pushing myself.
Hope some of that helps! It really hasn't been that bad, although I'm still paranoid about Long COVID. Almost three years was a pretty good run of not catching it.
posted by restless_nomad at 9:25 AM on January 12, 2023 [4 favorites]
Best answer: Fellow New Englander who cared for two people while eventually getting my own case directly after. The main advice I would give is, if you're a candidate for Paxlovid, get a prescription in motion now but perhaps hold off on taking it. I was borderline and my doctor suggested taking it on day 5 only if my symptoms got worse. Other advice:
- Get/use a pulse oximeter. They're not always very accurate in terms of absolute numbers, but most seem very accurate relative to existing readings, so if you see a noticeable change in oxygen levels, that's when I would get to the ER.
- I'm not sure the 10 day relapse is as common with this variant, but I would still keep an eye on conditions at that 10 day mark.
- Don't be afraid to just treat symptoms. Our major symptom was sore throats and we went through a swimming pool's worth of popsicles. If your main symptom is headaches for instance, treat the headache. If it's fever, treat the fever.
- I'm generally an ibuprofen person, but found that Tylenol helped more with systemic aches and issues.
- Test every other or every three days. It's a pain to go out for more tests, but you can sort of assume you're positive for 5-10 days. I had no symptoms after 4 days but tested positive for 15 days.
- I read that if you test positive at all, especially after the 10 day mark, assume you're contagious, that the home tests are insensitive enough that it takes a fair amount of virus to generate even a barely positive result.
- Rest, rest, hydrate, soups, rest. If you have difficulty sleeping due to congestion, coughing, etc. treat the symptom so you can sleep.
posted by cocoagirl at 9:31 AM on January 12, 2023 [3 favorites]
- Get/use a pulse oximeter. They're not always very accurate in terms of absolute numbers, but most seem very accurate relative to existing readings, so if you see a noticeable change in oxygen levels, that's when I would get to the ER.
- I'm not sure the 10 day relapse is as common with this variant, but I would still keep an eye on conditions at that 10 day mark.
- Don't be afraid to just treat symptoms. Our major symptom was sore throats and we went through a swimming pool's worth of popsicles. If your main symptom is headaches for instance, treat the headache. If it's fever, treat the fever.
- I'm generally an ibuprofen person, but found that Tylenol helped more with systemic aches and issues.
- Test every other or every three days. It's a pain to go out for more tests, but you can sort of assume you're positive for 5-10 days. I had no symptoms after 4 days but tested positive for 15 days.
- I read that if you test positive at all, especially after the 10 day mark, assume you're contagious, that the home tests are insensitive enough that it takes a fair amount of virus to generate even a barely positive result.
- Rest, rest, hydrate, soups, rest. If you have difficulty sleeping due to congestion, coughing, etc. treat the symptom so you can sleep.
posted by cocoagirl at 9:31 AM on January 12, 2023 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Some suggestions, answers and anecdata below:
My partner got COVID while we were visiting Florida. He most likely was infected in the airport as my son and I were both masked but he was not. He tested positive for COVID three days after our trip and isolated in our master bedroom. My son tested positive for COVID 3 days after my partner. Most likely because they were in very close contact the days after the trip as he flosses my son's teeth and moisturizes him. While my son had COVID, I remained negative for several days and tested positive for COVID three days after he vomited on me. I take the three day incubation period as a marker now for antigen tests. You can shave a day with a home PCR test. We all tested negative through antigen tests about 14 days after first positive test. Home PCR extended this out.
My son and I had COVID with the worst symptoms. For my son, this included high fever (about 101-103), projectile vomiting, muscle aches, chills, fatigue, sore throat, gastrointestinal issues, coughing, etc. I also had what my son had but I could not swallow and had severe congestion.
Our doctor highly recommended not taking antivirals. She thought the side effects were not worth the benefits. Ask your doctor about side effects.
1. Identify close contacts of your partner and notify them.
2. Don't go to Urgent Care or Doctor's Office unless you have severe symptoms. Instead, schedule virtual visits to let them know you have COVID and your current status. Then, when things get bad, you have someone who knows what's going on. They will let you know the markers for you to go to the ER. For us, it was breathing problems or fever over 104.
3. Things that helped: STRONG cough drops, Flonase or some kind of nasal spray that numbs your throat, Motrin/Tylenol (whatever brings down fever), a giant case of bottled water, many boxes of tissues, Throat Coat tea, a ton of sleep, Saltines, soup, electric blanket
posted by ichimunki at 9:33 AM on January 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
My partner got COVID while we were visiting Florida. He most likely was infected in the airport as my son and I were both masked but he was not. He tested positive for COVID three days after our trip and isolated in our master bedroom. My son tested positive for COVID 3 days after my partner. Most likely because they were in very close contact the days after the trip as he flosses my son's teeth and moisturizes him. While my son had COVID, I remained negative for several days and tested positive for COVID three days after he vomited on me. I take the three day incubation period as a marker now for antigen tests. You can shave a day with a home PCR test. We all tested negative through antigen tests about 14 days after first positive test. Home PCR extended this out.
My son and I had COVID with the worst symptoms. For my son, this included high fever (about 101-103), projectile vomiting, muscle aches, chills, fatigue, sore throat, gastrointestinal issues, coughing, etc. I also had what my son had but I could not swallow and had severe congestion.
Our doctor highly recommended not taking antivirals. She thought the side effects were not worth the benefits. Ask your doctor about side effects.
1. Identify close contacts of your partner and notify them.
2. Don't go to Urgent Care or Doctor's Office unless you have severe symptoms. Instead, schedule virtual visits to let them know you have COVID and your current status. Then, when things get bad, you have someone who knows what's going on. They will let you know the markers for you to go to the ER. For us, it was breathing problems or fever over 104.
3. Things that helped: STRONG cough drops, Flonase or some kind of nasal spray that numbs your throat, Motrin/Tylenol (whatever brings down fever), a giant case of bottled water, many boxes of tissues, Throat Coat tea, a ton of sleep, Saltines, soup, electric blanket
posted by ichimunki at 9:33 AM on January 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
Best answer: If you can get Paxlovid, do. I qualified by age when I got it last March, but it depends on your doctor. The metallic taste is a downer but the symptoms are really reduced. If you have any breathing problems at all, it's a good idea. Yes, I know some people experiece rebounds, but it's not as common as it sounds. Tessalon Perle cough medicine (available by prescription) is also wonderful.
posted by Peach at 9:34 AM on January 12, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by Peach at 9:34 AM on January 12, 2023 [4 favorites]
Best answer: I wish I had had more Sudafed (or other pseudoephedrine). I was able to get groceries and food delivered, but not pseudoephedrine, and I ran out while I was still testing pretty strongly positive. I am now sufficiently stocked-up on pseudoephedrine that I could probably start up a good old-fashioned meth lab.
If food delivery isn't a possibility for you I'd recommend stocking up on comfort foods and hot beverages (herbal tea was my go-to, although I probably wouldn't have chosen the one I did if I hadn't been a little bit feverish when I put in the grocery order!).
I didn't bother with "10 days" I just tested every other day until I was negative twice in a row. My only symptom for days 3-10 was a stuffy nose but I had bright-line positive rapid tests through day 10, then tested negative on day 12*. If you have access to tests, I'd recommend using them (another good thing to stock up on along with the herbal tea and the sudafed).
What did your partner's doctor say and what is their usual response time? Might be worth using your insurance's telehealth or an telehealth urgent care visit if the regular doctor isn't responsive. I didn't bother with Paxlovid because my symptoms were greatly improved by the time I got a positive test (didn't test positive until symptom day 3) and the side effects sound unpleasant.
* it did take a longer time for the tests to turn bright red as the days went on, so I think the overall amount of virus was going down, just not as quickly as I would have liked.
posted by mskyle at 9:36 AM on January 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
If food delivery isn't a possibility for you I'd recommend stocking up on comfort foods and hot beverages (herbal tea was my go-to, although I probably wouldn't have chosen the one I did if I hadn't been a little bit feverish when I put in the grocery order!).
I didn't bother with "10 days" I just tested every other day until I was negative twice in a row. My only symptom for days 3-10 was a stuffy nose but I had bright-line positive rapid tests through day 10, then tested negative on day 12*. If you have access to tests, I'd recommend using them (another good thing to stock up on along with the herbal tea and the sudafed).
What did your partner's doctor say and what is their usual response time? Might be worth using your insurance's telehealth or an telehealth urgent care visit if the regular doctor isn't responsive. I didn't bother with Paxlovid because my symptoms were greatly improved by the time I got a positive test (didn't test positive until symptom day 3) and the side effects sound unpleasant.
* it did take a longer time for the tests to turn bright red as the days went on, so I think the overall amount of virus was going down, just not as quickly as I would have liked.
posted by mskyle at 9:36 AM on January 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: You should both start masking in the home if you can. I know several people who were able to avoid catching covid from a household member by masking and not sharing bathrooms.
10 days after onset of symptoms is indeed approximately when you can expect to stop being contagious. Antigen tests (home, OTC tests) are a good measure of whether you're contagious. Several people I know took more like 11-13 days after symptom onset to stop testing positive.
posted by capricorn at 9:38 AM on January 12, 2023 [7 favorites]
10 days after onset of symptoms is indeed approximately when you can expect to stop being contagious. Antigen tests (home, OTC tests) are a good measure of whether you're contagious. Several people I know took more like 11-13 days after symptom onset to stop testing positive.
posted by capricorn at 9:38 AM on January 12, 2023 [7 favorites]
Best answer: My husband tested positive a few days before Christmas; I tested positive five days later. His symptoms were more along the lines of cough/congestion, and mine were body aches/sore throat/sinus headache.
Things I learned from our Covid experience:
1. Have a stock ready of analgesics/cough syrup/OTC flu/cold meds.
2. Notify anyone you've been in contact with at least 72 hours before you tested positive (turns out my husband also gave it to a friend of ours)
3. Rest, rest, rest. (I slept for three days, only rising to bathe and eat)
4. Arrange food delivery if you can from family or friends
5. Have a stock ready of RATs; I tested negatively repeatedly after about 5 days, same for spouse
6. Let your family doctor know that you have it so that it is in your chart in case anything happens
7. If you are able to roughly quarantine in your home, do so. My husband slept downstairs (there is another bathroom down there), we wore masks around each other, and took turns using the kitchen for food prep
8. Wipe down everything in between uses; include high traffic things like light switches, etc
We were lucky in that we didn't experience SOB or fevers, but it was still the worst I have ever felt without those things.
posted by Kitteh at 9:40 AM on January 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
Things I learned from our Covid experience:
1. Have a stock ready of analgesics/cough syrup/OTC flu/cold meds.
2. Notify anyone you've been in contact with at least 72 hours before you tested positive (turns out my husband also gave it to a friend of ours)
3. Rest, rest, rest. (I slept for three days, only rising to bathe and eat)
4. Arrange food delivery if you can from family or friends
5. Have a stock ready of RATs; I tested negatively repeatedly after about 5 days, same for spouse
6. Let your family doctor know that you have it so that it is in your chart in case anything happens
7. If you are able to roughly quarantine in your home, do so. My husband slept downstairs (there is another bathroom down there), we wore masks around each other, and took turns using the kitchen for food prep
8. Wipe down everything in between uses; include high traffic things like light switches, etc
We were lucky in that we didn't experience SOB or fevers, but it was still the worst I have ever felt without those things.
posted by Kitteh at 9:40 AM on January 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: If you're not positive and don't have symptoms, it's still worth it to have her isolate from you as much as possible and to wear masks when you're together. I didn't pass it to either of the people in my household, despite all of us being homebound for various reasons in the same 1-bathroom house for the full 10 days. I stayed in a bedroom alone and wore a mask anytime I left, except for when in the shower or brushing my teeth, and limited my out-of-room time to a cumulative 15 minutes a day. It was hard but stopped the chain of infection.
posted by assenav at 9:40 AM on January 12, 2023 [4 favorites]
posted by assenav at 9:40 AM on January 12, 2023 [4 favorites]
Best answer: My parents just got over a bout of COVID - both fully vaccinated etc. Mom felt bad enough to go to the ER and was given Remdesivir. It was not ideal because they required her to go back to the ER for two more successive daily infusions which was about a 5 hour ordeal each and every time. It still took two solid weeks for her to feel moderately recovered. So if you don't have to go that route - I would not recommend it. The staff were also slightly dismissive demanding to know if she was vaxxed and slightly judgy until her circumstances were decried as - yeah - that all checks out. I would say that sinus rinses and the softest tissues were her biggest orders. I think they went through like 10 boxes of tissues between them.
Dad was prescribed Paxlovid pretty quickly and try to order that from a pharmacy with a drive through if you can. He started feeling better pretty quickly and his recovery was much shorter.
Cough drops were very hard to find in pharmacies so I'd try to find those if you can. They got groceries delivered for the most part or sent other family members out for things. They were mostly on the sofa for two weeks - resting.
If anyone is on Medicare in your immediate family vicinity - it was new info to us that Medicare will pay for 8 COVID tests a month - at no cost to the Medicare recipient. I don't think that's as well publicized as it could be. The government is also offering 4 more tests per household and those came quickly for us.
posted by rdnnyc at 9:41 AM on January 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
Dad was prescribed Paxlovid pretty quickly and try to order that from a pharmacy with a drive through if you can. He started feeling better pretty quickly and his recovery was much shorter.
Cough drops were very hard to find in pharmacies so I'd try to find those if you can. They got groceries delivered for the most part or sent other family members out for things. They were mostly on the sofa for two weeks - resting.
If anyone is on Medicare in your immediate family vicinity - it was new info to us that Medicare will pay for 8 COVID tests a month - at no cost to the Medicare recipient. I don't think that's as well publicized as it could be. The government is also offering 4 more tests per household and those came quickly for us.
posted by rdnnyc at 9:41 AM on January 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: On the practical side - look at the next two weeks of calendar events and cancel/move liberally. Do this early as brain fog & symptom progression may make life arranging harder in the next few days.
Put a big grocery/delivery order for liquids, soups, tissues, and sick food. One of the side effects of paxlovid is a bad taste - add ginger chews, m&m, altoids, other small candies to help manage this should it arise.
Remember the pets. Add food, litter, pet supplies to grocery needs.
Change the sheets, fresh wash the PJs.
Give yourself permission to nap and don’t push through the symptoms. Rest rest rest early on can help recovery.
posted by countrymod at 9:55 AM on January 12, 2023 [6 favorites]
Put a big grocery/delivery order for liquids, soups, tissues, and sick food. One of the side effects of paxlovid is a bad taste - add ginger chews, m&m, altoids, other small candies to help manage this should it arise.
Remember the pets. Add food, litter, pet supplies to grocery needs.
Change the sheets, fresh wash the PJs.
Give yourself permission to nap and don’t push through the symptoms. Rest rest rest early on can help recovery.
posted by countrymod at 9:55 AM on January 12, 2023 [6 favorites]
Best answer: You'll go through tests pretty fast if there's more than one of you, especially if you're testing 2x a day to see if you've contracted it (which I think is a good idea). Order your free tests from the post office now (they'll take a week-plus to arrive), see if your insurance will cover some from the drugstore and go ahead and order them and pick them up hopefully prior to testing positive.
There was an AskMe a few weeks ago about fighting paxlovid mouth; pick up several of the options to try. It can be unpleasant enough to interfere with sleep, even.
posted by praemunire at 10:22 AM on January 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
There was an AskMe a few weeks ago about fighting paxlovid mouth; pick up several of the options to try. It can be unpleasant enough to interfere with sleep, even.
posted by praemunire at 10:22 AM on January 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: 1. Ask the doctor about Paxlovid. Must be started within 5 days of the onset of symptoms.
2. Use the drug interaction tool on drugs.com for any prescription drugs, over the counter drugs, and supplements that she is taking or considering taking.
3. Use a pulse oximeter to track oxygen levels and go to the ER if they fall too low.
4. Based on my experience, she should rest more than she would for the flu, and at least a day or two longer than seems necessary.
posted by happy_cat at 10:30 AM on January 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
2. Use the drug interaction tool on drugs.com for any prescription drugs, over the counter drugs, and supplements that she is taking or considering taking.
3. Use a pulse oximeter to track oxygen levels and go to the ER if they fall too low.
4. Based on my experience, she should rest more than she would for the flu, and at least a day or two longer than seems necessary.
posted by happy_cat at 10:30 AM on January 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: If you're in New England, it's winter. If it's freezing outside, that means your free tests will freeze in the truck on the way over. Don't bother ordering them, they won't work properly. They are more likely to be still good from a pharmacy and you can bill up to 8 tests to your insurance for free.
posted by blnkfrnk at 10:32 AM on January 12, 2023
posted by blnkfrnk at 10:32 AM on January 12, 2023
Best answer: I just got over COVID I picked up when my mom was in the hospital. I'm vaxxed and double boosted, complete with a bivalent one. I felt pretty awful on my first day of symptoms, and had a negative rapid test on day one, followed by an almost imperceptible line on a rapid test on day two. Day three was an instant positive.
Sleeping for two days straight was the best.
Having Liquid I.V. and Gatorade helped keep me hydrated. Maybe it's all in my head, but it seemed nicer than just plain water. The calories and salts probably did help.
My major symptoms were a fever, exhaustion, chills, and sweats. Taking acetaminophen (generic Tylenol) would knock the fever back for a few hours. I'd occasionally let it wear off to take my unmedicated temperature, just to see when I could start the clock on days without fever for the CDC guidelines of when you could end isolation and do stuff with a mask on. I did keep rapid testing to determine when I could stop masking and isolating at home. That took about 8 days to start testing negative.
I eventually developed a dry cough, that is still lingering. Dextromethorphan (generic Robitussin) is doing well enough, supplemented by menthol cough drops.
I wouldn't worry about cold temps and test shipping. I'm in Minnesota, and all the tests seemed to work fine after being left at room temp for a few hours.
posted by advicepig at 10:34 AM on January 12, 2023 [3 favorites]
Sleeping for two days straight was the best.
Having Liquid I.V. and Gatorade helped keep me hydrated. Maybe it's all in my head, but it seemed nicer than just plain water. The calories and salts probably did help.
My major symptoms were a fever, exhaustion, chills, and sweats. Taking acetaminophen (generic Tylenol) would knock the fever back for a few hours. I'd occasionally let it wear off to take my unmedicated temperature, just to see when I could start the clock on days without fever for the CDC guidelines of when you could end isolation and do stuff with a mask on. I did keep rapid testing to determine when I could stop masking and isolating at home. That took about 8 days to start testing negative.
I eventually developed a dry cough, that is still lingering. Dextromethorphan (generic Robitussin) is doing well enough, supplemented by menthol cough drops.
I wouldn't worry about cold temps and test shipping. I'm in Minnesota, and all the tests seemed to work fine after being left at room temp for a few hours.
posted by advicepig at 10:34 AM on January 12, 2023 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Wow you are getting a lot of advice :)
1. Start the process of getting Paxlovid now. You can always choose not to take it if the case is mild, but if you do take it, you will wanna do it within 3-5 days of symptoms onset. It may take a while to get, because some doctors are reluctant to prescribe it (they think it is only for older people, and/or believe there's a shortage), plus your pharmacy may not have it in stock. So you should start the process now.
2. Get an oximeter. If blood oxygen drops below a certain number (maybe 80? I can't remember), you will want to go to the ER.
3. Cancel everything now. When I had COVID I could do nothing; I spent four days doing literally nothing but groaning and whining.
posted by Susan PG at 10:49 AM on January 12, 2023
1. Start the process of getting Paxlovid now. You can always choose not to take it if the case is mild, but if you do take it, you will wanna do it within 3-5 days of symptoms onset. It may take a while to get, because some doctors are reluctant to prescribe it (they think it is only for older people, and/or believe there's a shortage), plus your pharmacy may not have it in stock. So you should start the process now.
2. Get an oximeter. If blood oxygen drops below a certain number (maybe 80? I can't remember), you will want to go to the ER.
3. Cancel everything now. When I had COVID I could do nothing; I spent four days doing literally nothing but groaning and whining.
posted by Susan PG at 10:49 AM on January 12, 2023
Best answer: My local libraries (Massachusetts) are giving out free covid tests. Since you're in New England, you might see if this is true near you and if a friend can pick some up.
posted by cocoagirl at 11:05 AM on January 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by cocoagirl at 11:05 AM on January 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: When my sister had COVID in October, she was able to get a Paxlovid prescription, which meant she was only sick and (important!) testing positive for like four days. She says she got used to the gross mouth taste and that it was 100% worth it to be done with the whole COVID thing so quickly. I did not get Paxlovid when I had it last spring and was testing postive for almost two weeks, long after I was feeling 100% better, and it was a gigantic pain in the ass. If I get rona'd again, I will definitely be looking into Paxlovid.
posted by cakelite at 11:06 AM on January 12, 2023
posted by cakelite at 11:06 AM on January 12, 2023
Best answer: she was able to get a Paxlovid prescription, which meant she was only sick and (important!) testing positive for like four days
I got paxlovid the very next day after I tested positive/had symptoms, and still tested positive for *sigh* thirteen days. So, I'm on team get the pill, but just know that YMMV. The main goal is to prevent hospitalization and death (and maybe? hopefully? reduce incidence of long COVID).
posted by praemunire at 11:17 AM on January 12, 2023 [4 favorites]
I got paxlovid the very next day after I tested positive/had symptoms, and still tested positive for *sigh* thirteen days. So, I'm on team get the pill, but just know that YMMV. The main goal is to prevent hospitalization and death (and maybe? hopefully? reduce incidence of long COVID).
posted by praemunire at 11:17 AM on January 12, 2023 [4 favorites]
Best answer: I mean, it so greatly depends on previously existing conditions, age, or other risk factors.
When me and my family got covid is was 100% a non-event. I was the most symptomatic of all and I had a sore throat for five days and a messed up sense of smell for the latter 3 of those days. The rest of them had symptoms that ranged from the sniffles to nothing at all.
Having a pulse oximeter on hand is always a good idea. But at this point I would treat it like any other viral illness at baseline (again, assuming no added risk factors): monitor yourself for any dangerous symptoms (shortness of breath, symptoms of a potential stroke, that kind of thing) but otherwise rest and fluids and patience.
posted by lydhre at 11:19 AM on January 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
When me and my family got covid is was 100% a non-event. I was the most symptomatic of all and I had a sore throat for five days and a messed up sense of smell for the latter 3 of those days. The rest of them had symptoms that ranged from the sniffles to nothing at all.
Having a pulse oximeter on hand is always a good idea. But at this point I would treat it like any other viral illness at baseline (again, assuming no added risk factors): monitor yourself for any dangerous symptoms (shortness of breath, symptoms of a potential stroke, that kind of thing) but otherwise rest and fluids and patience.
posted by lydhre at 11:19 AM on January 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Have you and your partner been vaccinated and boosted? In many people, being vaxed & boosted (or, at least, some stage thereof) greatly mitigates symptoms if you do get it. I caught COVID very, very early on, before the vaccine or even mask mandates & lockdowns were a thing. It absolutely wrecked me; it is by far the worst an illness has laid me out in my life. Narrowly avoided the hospital, but only just.
Be stocked up on fluids. Not just water, but sports drink and broth are good options to help keep your electrolytes up. You must stay hydrated. Sleep as much as you can. I felt like I was eating constantly, but my body was working very hard to fight, so I guess it needed the fuel.
Aftermath: I still practice distancing and mask up whenever I go out, but I've still managed to catch a cold here and there (testing daily when I feel bad, but nope, just a cold). When I have caught a cold, they hit me so much harder now than pre-COVID. Several other people I know who have had COVID report the same. Everything hits them like a truck now; there's no longer such thing as "a little cold."
posted by xedrik at 11:20 AM on January 12, 2023
Be stocked up on fluids. Not just water, but sports drink and broth are good options to help keep your electrolytes up. You must stay hydrated. Sleep as much as you can. I felt like I was eating constantly, but my body was working very hard to fight, so I guess it needed the fuel.
Aftermath: I still practice distancing and mask up whenever I go out, but I've still managed to catch a cold here and there (testing daily when I feel bad, but nope, just a cold). When I have caught a cold, they hit me so much harder now than pre-COVID. Several other people I know who have had COVID report the same. Everything hits them like a truck now; there's no longer such thing as "a little cold."
posted by xedrik at 11:20 AM on January 12, 2023
Best answer: REST. Physical rest, and also mental rest. Put off any and all obligations or tasks that require physical movement or real cognition, and definitely don’t exercise. Nobody has definitive information on Long Covid, but the single best way to prevent other known post-viral syndromes is extreme rest. Rest much harder, and much longer, than you think you need to.
Also, nthing the recommendation to mask when sharing space and to isolate from each other as much as possible. You can definitely still avoid infection, which will make things better for both of you.
posted by CtrlAltDelete at 12:10 PM on January 12, 2023 [6 favorites]
Also, nthing the recommendation to mask when sharing space and to isolate from each other as much as possible. You can definitely still avoid infection, which will make things better for both of you.
posted by CtrlAltDelete at 12:10 PM on January 12, 2023 [6 favorites]
Best answer: We just got through a case in my house; also New England. Husband (bivalent booster in December) tested positive; daughter (bivalent booster also in December) and me (bivalent booster in September) tested negative, and have continued to do so.
-We all immediately masked up while he set up for isolation in his own room/own bathroom. We aired out the house--opened windows, ran various fans in bathroom and kitchen--before me and my daughter took masks off. In general, if he left his isolation (e.g., when we weren't home), he would air out the house; when he used the bathroom, he would keep the exhaust fan running for quite a bit after he was done. He also slept with the window in his room slightly cracked.
-We followed CDC guidelines: complete isolation through day 5. Everyone retested that day; his line was a very, very faint positive, so we decided that he could come out, still with mask on. He tested negative the evening of day 9, and symptoms were gone, so we felt OK letting him take his mask off at that point.
-We (daughter and I) followed CDC guidelines for an exposure, and masked up outside the house for 10 days.
-Supplies we got were more tests (submitted for reimbursement with insurance--we had luckily just gotten our 4 free ones from the government), ibuprofen, gatorade, sudafed, tissues. Basically, normal stuff you'd want for a bad cold or flu.
-His symptoms were very mild--mainly congestion and fatigue; fatigue hung on much longer than congestion. Rest up!!!
posted by damayanti at 12:21 PM on January 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
-We all immediately masked up while he set up for isolation in his own room/own bathroom. We aired out the house--opened windows, ran various fans in bathroom and kitchen--before me and my daughter took masks off. In general, if he left his isolation (e.g., when we weren't home), he would air out the house; when he used the bathroom, he would keep the exhaust fan running for quite a bit after he was done. He also slept with the window in his room slightly cracked.
-We followed CDC guidelines: complete isolation through day 5. Everyone retested that day; his line was a very, very faint positive, so we decided that he could come out, still with mask on. He tested negative the evening of day 9, and symptoms were gone, so we felt OK letting him take his mask off at that point.
-We (daughter and I) followed CDC guidelines for an exposure, and masked up outside the house for 10 days.
-Supplies we got were more tests (submitted for reimbursement with insurance--we had luckily just gotten our 4 free ones from the government), ibuprofen, gatorade, sudafed, tissues. Basically, normal stuff you'd want for a bad cold or flu.
-His symptoms were very mild--mainly congestion and fatigue; fatigue hung on much longer than congestion. Rest up!!!
posted by damayanti at 12:21 PM on January 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I was symptomatic two days before my wife was, and I tested positive two days before she did. Once I tested positive I called my doctor's office, they asked me a bunch of questions, and then told me I didn't need Paxlovid based on the severity of my symptoms. My wife's symptoms were worse than mine, so after she tested positive she did a telehealth consultation through whatever service is connected to our insurance. That doctor prescribed Paxlovid for her. So then because I know how marriage works, I did a telehealth consultation through the same service, got the same doctor, and still didn't end up with a Paxlovid prescription because my symptoms were still pretty mild and I have other prescriptions that are contraindicated (so it was a choice: drop my regular prescriptions for the duration of Paxlovid treatment, or just live with the symptoms and self-treat as long as they didn't get worse).
Counting the date of symptom onset as day 0, I was largely symptom free by day 6 and felt completely normal by day 8, but I didn't test negative until day 12. My wife tested negative around day 5 or 6, but totally had a rebound. Once I tested negative, I stayed negative.
If you haven't had it before, prepare to be pretty wiped out. In March 2020 I spent a week basically sleeping and being not much more than a lump when I was "awake." This time around I had a pretty bad cough and a mild sore throat, but I wasn't knocked as flat. My wife, on the other hand, was like I was the first time for three or four days.
For aches and pains you can double up on both acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Our doctors have usually suggested alternating them, so you're hitting peak effect from one right as the other really starts to drop. We drank a lot of hot tea with lemon and honey, and discovered that using a lot more honey than normal was worth it. My wife had Paxlovid mouth and as I commented in that thread, cinnamon candy and cinnamon tea were really helpful. We basically lived on hot tea, lots of soup, and easy TV (old sitcoms, mostly).
Best wishes for speedy and full recovery!
posted by fedward at 2:09 PM on January 12, 2023
Counting the date of symptom onset as day 0, I was largely symptom free by day 6 and felt completely normal by day 8, but I didn't test negative until day 12. My wife tested negative around day 5 or 6, but totally had a rebound. Once I tested negative, I stayed negative.
If you haven't had it before, prepare to be pretty wiped out. In March 2020 I spent a week basically sleeping and being not much more than a lump when I was "awake." This time around I had a pretty bad cough and a mild sore throat, but I wasn't knocked as flat. My wife, on the other hand, was like I was the first time for three or four days.
For aches and pains you can double up on both acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Our doctors have usually suggested alternating them, so you're hitting peak effect from one right as the other really starts to drop. We drank a lot of hot tea with lemon and honey, and discovered that using a lot more honey than normal was worth it. My wife had Paxlovid mouth and as I commented in that thread, cinnamon candy and cinnamon tea were really helpful. We basically lived on hot tea, lots of soup, and easy TV (old sitcoms, mostly).
Best wishes for speedy and full recovery!
posted by fedward at 2:09 PM on January 12, 2023
Best answer: Spouse and I both had covid for the first time over the holiday, spouse had a 5 day lead on me. Spouse is almost 100%, I have a cough and fatigued and I’m sleeping roughly 9 - 12 hours a day.
In addition to the recommendations of painkillers, soup and hot teas, ice packs turned out to be an absolute godsend as I had a lot of sinus pressure that was not responding to painkillers. Using them helped bring down the fever and relieve the headache. Even bags of frozen vegetables are useful.
Also, have an full set or two of clean, dry bedding - sheets and blankets/quilts/comforters at the ready. The sweats were so bad I had to strip the beds and wash everything, having fresh bedding already available was helpful.
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 2:38 PM on January 12, 2023
In addition to the recommendations of painkillers, soup and hot teas, ice packs turned out to be an absolute godsend as I had a lot of sinus pressure that was not responding to painkillers. Using them helped bring down the fever and relieve the headache. Even bags of frozen vegetables are useful.
Also, have an full set or two of clean, dry bedding - sheets and blankets/quilts/comforters at the ready. The sweats were so bad I had to strip the beds and wash everything, having fresh bedding already available was helpful.
posted by theBigRedKittyPurrs at 2:38 PM on January 12, 2023
Best answer: For us, by FAR the worst part was isolation. The sickness was very mild - like, not worse than a bad cold or mild flu for me and my son, but lasting a bit longer. Really Tylenol was the only thing I needed. I think the best preparation is mental - just be ready to be sick and laze around for several days, and do the minimum for at LEAST a week if not two. But also be sure you don't fall in to a black hole of isolation. Call friends, go out for a (masked) walk when you feel better. Most people in my office seem to want to do a little work once the fever has passed.
posted by haptic_avenger at 4:16 PM on January 12, 2023
posted by haptic_avenger at 4:16 PM on January 12, 2023
Best answer: REST. Physical rest, and also mental rest. Put off any and all obligations or tasks that require physical movement or real cognition, and definitely don’t exercise. Nobody has definitive information on Long Covid, but the single best way to prevent other known post-viral syndromes is extreme rest. Rest much harder, and much longer, than you think you need to.
It's just anecdotal, but the only two people I know with long covid pushed themselves really hard and didn't rest at all. Resting costs nothing (well, other than lost wages) and might help a lot.
In addition to the suggestions about taking temperature and oxygen readings, I'd suggest scribbling down the results in a notepad. Particularly if you get sick as well, it's nice to be able to see things written down to see if there is an actual progression of concern.
posted by Dip Flash at 4:57 PM on January 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
It's just anecdotal, but the only two people I know with long covid pushed themselves really hard and didn't rest at all. Resting costs nothing (well, other than lost wages) and might help a lot.
In addition to the suggestions about taking temperature and oxygen readings, I'd suggest scribbling down the results in a notepad. Particularly if you get sick as well, it's nice to be able to see things written down to see if there is an actual progression of concern.
posted by Dip Flash at 4:57 PM on January 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Paxlovid through a virtual visit is ideal, because it avoids partner needing to go out while both infectious and also feeling shitty. The Paxlovid taste sucks, but it was super effective for my recent mild case and I wouldn't hesitate to take it again if I were in a situation where I needed to. I felt mostly better within 24 hours of starting it, and fully better in about a week, and I was no longer testing positive on home tests by around day 3. Once I was feeling mostly better, I still made myself rest and I think that was a good decision.
Partner getting on Paxlovid is a positive all around because it means you also have less chance of getting COVID yourself (my partner didn't catch mine and were in a 1-bedroom apartment where isolation wasn't possible).
posted by augustimagination at 6:12 PM on January 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
Partner getting on Paxlovid is a positive all around because it means you also have less chance of getting COVID yourself (my partner didn't catch mine and were in a 1-bedroom apartment where isolation wasn't possible).
posted by augustimagination at 6:12 PM on January 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Generic Robitussin is guaifenesin syrup. Dextromethorpan is a cough suppressant, not necessarily recommended if you have stuff to get out. So when you see DM along with Mucinex or Robitussin, it means there is also that suppressant in there too. Some studies have shown Dextromethorpan helps the Sars2 virus replicate. Anyway, best to you who are ill. Get better soon.
posted by Oyéah at 7:34 PM on January 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Oyéah at 7:34 PM on January 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I got covid from my partner who after testing negative for five days (on paxlovid from the first RAT positive) had a rebound positive the day I visited. I tested positive for longer, both of us had really annoying earache/itch/congestion.
Resting is super important. His relapse was after his first walk to the shops for groceries. I did some minor house organising the first day and was utterly exhausted for two. Repeated that again and afterwards put hard limits on myself.
I went the full ten days positive, still have some congestion (lowered housework + cat + allergies is not helping) and tiredness. Friends in medical fields definitely see a correlation between longer recovery periods and overwork during acute phases.
Thermometer, pulse oximeter, and keeping track helped those folk be at ease with me isolating and recovering on my own. I checked in daily with those stats until they stayed normal for a day or two.
Symptoms managed with Tylenol, showers, liquid, and so so many tissues.
posted by geek anachronism at 11:47 PM on January 12, 2023
Resting is super important. His relapse was after his first walk to the shops for groceries. I did some minor house organising the first day and was utterly exhausted for two. Repeated that again and afterwards put hard limits on myself.
I went the full ten days positive, still have some congestion (lowered housework + cat + allergies is not helping) and tiredness. Friends in medical fields definitely see a correlation between longer recovery periods and overwork during acute phases.
Thermometer, pulse oximeter, and keeping track helped those folk be at ease with me isolating and recovering on my own. I checked in daily with those stats until they stayed normal for a day or two.
Symptoms managed with Tylenol, showers, liquid, and so so many tissues.
posted by geek anachronism at 11:47 PM on January 12, 2023
Response by poster: We lived. Thanks all.
posted by queen anne's remorse at 9:39 PM on February 8, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by queen anne's remorse at 9:39 PM on February 8, 2023 [2 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
It worked so well that we felt it must secretly be a idea in some way. We briefly tried switching to a regular saline mist, but that did nothing. Then we found an article specifically mentioning it was okay to use during COVID, so we went back to it.
We were told--and this is anecdotal, from a single doctor in Romania--that while a person can still be infectious until after about 10 days, the vast majority of transmission risk is within the first 5 days of symptoms. I'm not recommending she sit in a crowded indoor space unmasked or anything. But as she ticks past five days, if she feels mostly better by that point, she is probably pretty low risk for say, socially distanced people outdoors if properly masked.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 9:16 AM on January 12, 2023 [8 favorites]