is this COVID?
August 10, 2022 7:14 AM Subscribe
I don't know much about the newest strain of COVID going around right now except via social media posts from my friends. Could my current symptoms be COVID?
I had Omicron back in January. Symptoms then were mild because Omicron. I had a fever, sore throat, mild fatigue, and that was it. I am vaxxed.
Friends of mine who are vaxxed and got the latest strain are reporting that they are fucking wiped out by it. I'm hearing accounts of interminable exhaustion, brain fog, and body ache. I'm not hearing anything in the way of respiratory symptoms or fevers but maybe that's just a given with COVID? Or is that not necessarily a factor in the new strain? I didn't have any respiratory symptoms when I got Omicron and I cleared it in less than a week.
Right now I am feeling inexplicable exhaustion all the time. I can't get out of bed in a timely manner and scramble to log on to work (I WFH) before 9:30. I am groggy most of the day. If I make the mistake of lying down at lunchtime I fall asleep within minutes. I can barely function.
I take meds for bipolar 2 and anxiety and have for over a decade with no side effects. I also take Vitamin D and B12 pills because I run low on both. I recently added a multivitamin to my regimen and a probiotic because I have IBS symptoms from Metformin (for PCOS).
I work from home and flex scheduling is an option but the reality is if I tell my supervisor I don't feel well and need to lie down and will make up the hours in the evening I probably won't actually follow through on that because I'm so tired. I'm salaried/exempt so not beholden to a time clock but I don't want to take advantage of that - I work for a great company with a great culture and my supervisor is wonderful.
This is probably flawed thinking but with flex scheduling as an option and WFH I am reluctant to burn PTO hours (my company lumps PTO and sick time together) - I'd rather save them for vacation and for gig dates with my band.
I guess my real question is, should I go to the drugstore and buy a rapid test to make sure this isn't COVID or is it unlikely to be COVID and I should just make an appointment for more blood work to see if something else is wrong? Also, should I take a sick day and rest? I tend to sleep in significantly on weekends already.
I had Omicron back in January. Symptoms then were mild because Omicron. I had a fever, sore throat, mild fatigue, and that was it. I am vaxxed.
Friends of mine who are vaxxed and got the latest strain are reporting that they are fucking wiped out by it. I'm hearing accounts of interminable exhaustion, brain fog, and body ache. I'm not hearing anything in the way of respiratory symptoms or fevers but maybe that's just a given with COVID? Or is that not necessarily a factor in the new strain? I didn't have any respiratory symptoms when I got Omicron and I cleared it in less than a week.
Right now I am feeling inexplicable exhaustion all the time. I can't get out of bed in a timely manner and scramble to log on to work (I WFH) before 9:30. I am groggy most of the day. If I make the mistake of lying down at lunchtime I fall asleep within minutes. I can barely function.
I take meds for bipolar 2 and anxiety and have for over a decade with no side effects. I also take Vitamin D and B12 pills because I run low on both. I recently added a multivitamin to my regimen and a probiotic because I have IBS symptoms from Metformin (for PCOS).
I work from home and flex scheduling is an option but the reality is if I tell my supervisor I don't feel well and need to lie down and will make up the hours in the evening I probably won't actually follow through on that because I'm so tired. I'm salaried/exempt so not beholden to a time clock but I don't want to take advantage of that - I work for a great company with a great culture and my supervisor is wonderful.
This is probably flawed thinking but with flex scheduling as an option and WFH I am reluctant to burn PTO hours (my company lumps PTO and sick time together) - I'd rather save them for vacation and for gig dates with my band.
I guess my real question is, should I go to the drugstore and buy a rapid test to make sure this isn't COVID or is it unlikely to be COVID and I should just make an appointment for more blood work to see if something else is wrong? Also, should I take a sick day and rest? I tend to sleep in significantly on weekends already.
This post was deleted for the following reason: posters request -- frimble
Can't tell you what your symptoms are, not a doctor, etc., but will say: don't bother with a rapid test, they are not terrifically accurate for the current strain. Go for a PCR test at a clinic to confirm.
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 7:21 AM on August 10, 2022 [14 favorites]
posted by We put our faith in Blast Hardcheese at 7:21 AM on August 10, 2022 [14 favorites]
Yeah, take a rapid test with a grain of salt. Not sure if they’re useless, but when I had covid three weeks ago, I had two negatives at home before my positive pcr. I’m currently dealing with crushing fatigue that is much worse than it was during my week of obvious illness.
I think in the current environment “unlikely to be covid” is only true for people who literally never leave home.
posted by obfuscation at 7:25 AM on August 10, 2022 [3 favorites]
I think in the current environment “unlikely to be covid” is only true for people who literally never leave home.
posted by obfuscation at 7:25 AM on August 10, 2022 [3 favorites]
Just a story - after years of staying healthy, I finally got covid and am still recovering. I did have low fever and aches, but I was mostly outrageously tired. Physically tired and sleepy. I am still crazy tired but slightly less so each day.
So, yes, test for covid, in any way that you can (for me, the home test was negative 1 day in, positive 3 days into feeling rough).
Only you can decide if you need to take a rest day. Listen to your body.
posted by banjonaut at 7:25 AM on August 10, 2022 [2 favorites]
So, yes, test for covid, in any way that you can (for me, the home test was negative 1 day in, positive 3 days into feeling rough).
Only you can decide if you need to take a rest day. Listen to your body.
posted by banjonaut at 7:25 AM on August 10, 2022 [2 favorites]
If you get a positive on a rapid test while waiting for your PCR clinic spot you can probably believe it. If you get a negative RAT result then the PCR result will be much more reliable.
posted by flabdablet at 7:29 AM on August 10, 2022 [9 favorites]
posted by flabdablet at 7:29 AM on August 10, 2022 [9 favorites]
At this point, any time I feel sick or off, I treat it like it's COVID.
I use a rapid and I rapid test every day until / unless I feel better. If after 2-3 days I am STILL testing negative on a rapid, but I'm still feeling crummy or not improved, I will get a PCR. I still treat it like it's COVID, so isolation and masking and I don't go anywhere.
My understanding and personal experience is that a rapid test might not be positive right away (due to immune response?) but are a good gauge of infectiousness -- which is to say, testing negative on a rapid AFTER a positive is a good indication you're not going to make anyone else sick.
If you can get an at-home test, usually insurance covers 8 per month, so stock up. Also you can order free ones from the USPS to bolster your collection so that you can test for COVID regularly as needed.
posted by Medieval Maven at 7:35 AM on August 10, 2022 [6 favorites]
I use a rapid and I rapid test every day until / unless I feel better. If after 2-3 days I am STILL testing negative on a rapid, but I'm still feeling crummy or not improved, I will get a PCR. I still treat it like it's COVID, so isolation and masking and I don't go anywhere.
My understanding and personal experience is that a rapid test might not be positive right away (due to immune response?) but are a good gauge of infectiousness -- which is to say, testing negative on a rapid AFTER a positive is a good indication you're not going to make anyone else sick.
If you can get an at-home test, usually insurance covers 8 per month, so stock up. Also you can order free ones from the USPS to bolster your collection so that you can test for COVID regularly as needed.
posted by Medieval Maven at 7:35 AM on August 10, 2022 [6 favorites]
Best answer: I just went through a round of Covid en famille and will discuss below but really, you need to test and see your doctor, or see your doctor and test. Sudden fatigue could be a number of things including silent cardiovascular damage from a round of Covid. **
So my entire family except my 11 year old all came down with Covid over the last 3 weeks (we tried to isolate which eventually let to this freaking SAGA.) In everyone's cases the first symptoms showed 24-48 hrs before testing positive. (I was lucky enough to have a stash of rapid tests I've been collecting.)
17 yo, index patient - Day 1 felt a bit tired out, Day 2 developed cold symptoms midday but had a negative test that evening. Day 3 tested positive around noon. Had essentially a feverish/exhausted cold. Rapid tested negative after testing positive each day on Day 6. Was still tired out for a few days; recovered fine.
54 yo, next patient - started with dramatic fatigue, followed by fever, but didn't test positive for 3 days. Then tested positive for 10 days. Had cough, chills, and leaden fatigue, plus brain fog. Sickest I have ever seen this person. Couldn't get down the hall without having to sit down for a few days. Recovery has been consistent but slow. At 20+ days out is going to work normally and not looking half dead coming home, but hasn't resumed physical activity.
51 yo, next patient (me!) - didn't come down with anything for 8 days, then started with dramatic stomach and vertigo symptoms - I threw up any time I moved my head, for about 24 hrs. Other gastro symptoms followed. Tested positive the next day and tested positive for 14 days. Fatigue was dramatic, brain fog was bad and weirdly my emotions went off a cliff that was even more dramatic than giving birth was the time I went from 'normal' to 'PPD' in 2 hours. It was obviously, to me, chemical but I suddenly got why some people are completely losing their shit in public because I was like, off the rails. For like, 48 hrs. Physically I had a fever and weird sweats for 4 days. Then the cough started. I'm at day 17 and I'm working about 60% capacity, feel physically at about 30%, and sleeping a lot, but each day is better. Brain fog is much improved. Still have a cough. I lost my sense of smell for 14 days; 2 of those days I had phantom smell/taste issues. It's coming back slowly...I can smell big smells but not much else.
75 yo, next patient - came down with symptoms 15 days past patient 1, started with fatigue and then gastro and then 48 hrs later a positive test. This patient qualifies for Paxlovid in my neck of the woods so as soon as she tested positive we got her some. It stopped most things in their tracks; she was tired for two days but then out doing her several-kilometer walks. Tested negative around then, but bounced back positive but feels fine.
** Several family doctors I know including mine are absolutely adamant that anyone over 40 must get a health check and most likely a cardio workup at 3-4 weeks out from having Covid and then again a few months later. Because of my work I know a lot of people who have had Covid and a reasonable chunk of them have had cardiovascular issues, usually those over 50, some of which resolved and some of which are still being monitored.
posted by warriorqueen at 7:52 AM on August 10, 2022 [12 favorites]
So my entire family except my 11 year old all came down with Covid over the last 3 weeks (we tried to isolate which eventually let to this freaking SAGA.) In everyone's cases the first symptoms showed 24-48 hrs before testing positive. (I was lucky enough to have a stash of rapid tests I've been collecting.)
17 yo, index patient - Day 1 felt a bit tired out, Day 2 developed cold symptoms midday but had a negative test that evening. Day 3 tested positive around noon. Had essentially a feverish/exhausted cold. Rapid tested negative after testing positive each day on Day 6. Was still tired out for a few days; recovered fine.
54 yo, next patient - started with dramatic fatigue, followed by fever, but didn't test positive for 3 days. Then tested positive for 10 days. Had cough, chills, and leaden fatigue, plus brain fog. Sickest I have ever seen this person. Couldn't get down the hall without having to sit down for a few days. Recovery has been consistent but slow. At 20+ days out is going to work normally and not looking half dead coming home, but hasn't resumed physical activity.
51 yo, next patient (me!) - didn't come down with anything for 8 days, then started with dramatic stomach and vertigo symptoms - I threw up any time I moved my head, for about 24 hrs. Other gastro symptoms followed. Tested positive the next day and tested positive for 14 days. Fatigue was dramatic, brain fog was bad and weirdly my emotions went off a cliff that was even more dramatic than giving birth was the time I went from 'normal' to 'PPD' in 2 hours. It was obviously, to me, chemical but I suddenly got why some people are completely losing their shit in public because I was like, off the rails. For like, 48 hrs. Physically I had a fever and weird sweats for 4 days. Then the cough started. I'm at day 17 and I'm working about 60% capacity, feel physically at about 30%, and sleeping a lot, but each day is better. Brain fog is much improved. Still have a cough. I lost my sense of smell for 14 days; 2 of those days I had phantom smell/taste issues. It's coming back slowly...I can smell big smells but not much else.
75 yo, next patient - came down with symptoms 15 days past patient 1, started with fatigue and then gastro and then 48 hrs later a positive test. This patient qualifies for Paxlovid in my neck of the woods so as soon as she tested positive we got her some. It stopped most things in their tracks; she was tired for two days but then out doing her several-kilometer walks. Tested negative around then, but bounced back positive but feels fine.
** Several family doctors I know including mine are absolutely adamant that anyone over 40 must get a health check and most likely a cardio workup at 3-4 weeks out from having Covid and then again a few months later. Because of my work I know a lot of people who have had Covid and a reasonable chunk of them have had cardiovascular issues, usually those over 50, some of which resolved and some of which are still being monitored.
posted by warriorqueen at 7:52 AM on August 10, 2022 [12 favorites]
Also for the RATs, they definitely were slow to pick up but for the three of us who didn't get Paxlovid, 100% consistent - all the tests were positive and then the positive lines got fainter and fainter and eventually stopped.
Although this made me despair for correctly testing at the start of Covid -- no one tested positive until well after becoming symptomatic -- the consistency after that was solid. We had the 'luxury' (especially thanks to having booked a vacation we had to cancel) of really isolating from that first positive until we were all well past the OG 10-day period, plus we 'tested out.' plus we had enough tests to test everyone every day. So that was interesting data.
posted by warriorqueen at 7:59 AM on August 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
Although this made me despair for correctly testing at the start of Covid -- no one tested positive until well after becoming symptomatic -- the consistency after that was solid. We had the 'luxury' (especially thanks to having booked a vacation we had to cancel) of really isolating from that first positive until we were all well past the OG 10-day period, plus we 'tested out.' plus we had enough tests to test everyone every day. So that was interesting data.
posted by warriorqueen at 7:59 AM on August 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
take a test, dude.
posted by j_curiouser at 8:06 AM on August 10, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by j_curiouser at 8:06 AM on August 10, 2022 [5 favorites]
You sound like you're in the US and insured, in which case, covid kits are free and you can get 8 (per month).
If you think you might have covid, figure out a way to get the kits that doesn't involve going inside the store. Options might include: pharmacy "drive-through" window, call-ahead and pick up outside, and order online.
posted by aniola at 8:29 AM on August 10, 2022 [3 favorites]
If you think you might have covid, figure out a way to get the kits that doesn't involve going inside the store. Options might include: pharmacy "drive-through" window, call-ahead and pick up outside, and order online.
posted by aniola at 8:29 AM on August 10, 2022 [3 favorites]
Best answer: should I take a sick day and rest?
Yes, this is what they're for.
posted by aniola at 9:58 AM on August 10, 2022 [9 favorites]
Yes, this is what they're for.
posted by aniola at 9:58 AM on August 10, 2022 [9 favorites]
Best answer: Your symptoms sounded like when I had a thyroid problem. Which isn't going to fix itself, and can lead to worse problems if untreated. Also, the multivitamin may be related (mine was!).
This is probably flawed thinking but with flex scheduling as an option and WFH I am reluctant to burn PTO hours (my company lumps PTO and sick time together) - I'd rather save them for vacation and for gig dates with my band.
You need to put this into perspective. If these symptoms persist, saving PTO for vacations is meaningless because you won't be able to enjoy them if you're asleep all the time. Also, if work performance suffers long enough, you run the risk of not having a job anymore (especially since you have no record of having an actual diagnosed medical problem).
posted by meowzilla at 10:06 AM on August 10, 2022 [3 favorites]
This is probably flawed thinking but with flex scheduling as an option and WFH I am reluctant to burn PTO hours (my company lumps PTO and sick time together) - I'd rather save them for vacation and for gig dates with my band.
You need to put this into perspective. If these symptoms persist, saving PTO for vacations is meaningless because you won't be able to enjoy them if you're asleep all the time. Also, if work performance suffers long enough, you run the risk of not having a job anymore (especially since you have no record of having an actual diagnosed medical problem).
posted by meowzilla at 10:06 AM on August 10, 2022 [3 favorites]
Yeah, take a rapid test with a grain of salt. Not sure if they’re useless, but when I had covid three weeks ago, I had two negatives at home before my positive pcr. I’m currently dealing with crushing fatigue that is much worse than it was during my week of obvious illness.
This is exactly the pattern I had within the last two weeks with COVID.
posted by dlugoczaj at 10:08 AM on August 10, 2022
This is exactly the pattern I had within the last two weeks with COVID.
posted by dlugoczaj at 10:08 AM on August 10, 2022
I guess I'm wondering why you wouldn't take a rapid test. We can get them for free. So, yes, take a test. And also take a sick day because you are sick.
posted by bluedaisy at 11:00 AM on August 10, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by bluedaisy at 11:00 AM on August 10, 2022 [2 favorites]
I'm salaried/exempt so not beholden to a time clock but I don't want to take advantage of that. I work for a great company with a great culture and my supervisor is wonderful.
Dear lord, don't have so much loyaty to a company that you don't take sick days. They will never have that level of loyalty to you.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 11:06 AM on August 10, 2022 [6 favorites]
Dear lord, don't have so much loyaty to a company that you don't take sick days. They will never have that level of loyalty to you.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 11:06 AM on August 10, 2022 [6 favorites]
Working through Covid is apparently a great way to get Long Covid, so if you can take some time off to do absolutely nothing you're improving the chances of a full recovery rather than being long term disabled.
Alternatively, it's possible to have Long Covid without having been symptomatic. Your symptoms seem consistent with (one flavour of) Long Covid, in which case you could test negative by this point and just be stuck with the aftereffects.
Either way rest is indicated, although the length of time you can be knocked out for is potentially longer than all your available sick leave, as I found out the hard way.
As other people have mentioned, there are other non Covid related possibilities. A blood test can rule many of them out (or in). Low Vitamin D can present like this and is super easy to fix.
posted by quacks like a duck at 11:06 AM on August 10, 2022 [2 favorites]
Alternatively, it's possible to have Long Covid without having been symptomatic. Your symptoms seem consistent with (one flavour of) Long Covid, in which case you could test negative by this point and just be stuck with the aftereffects.
Either way rest is indicated, although the length of time you can be knocked out for is potentially longer than all your available sick leave, as I found out the hard way.
As other people have mentioned, there are other non Covid related possibilities. A blood test can rule many of them out (or in). Low Vitamin D can present like this and is super easy to fix.
posted by quacks like a duck at 11:06 AM on August 10, 2022 [2 favorites]
This sounds very much like my mom's bout with covid week before last. She didn't have much in the way of respiratory distress at all. The friend she caught it from had a bad cough but my mom was just so tired she could barely get out of bed. Take a test and take a sick day.
posted by potrzebie at 4:03 PM on August 10, 2022
posted by potrzebie at 4:03 PM on August 10, 2022
Best answer: Some useful and medically-sound advice here: Got COVID? Doctors caution against powering through it — even from home
posted by mbrubeck at 4:42 PM on August 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by mbrubeck at 4:42 PM on August 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
Do you need to spend sick days on COVID? If not just assume / say it’s COVID and sleep for a couple days.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 5:49 PM on August 10, 2022
posted by nouvelle-personne at 5:49 PM on August 10, 2022
This thread is closed to new comments.
And yes, rest if you need to. Pushing through exhaustion isn't going to help anything.
posted by ananci at 7:20 AM on August 10, 2022 [12 favorites]