Coronavirus in Massachusetts (Boston: credit, home, high schools)

[BostonMike7]

Originally Posted by NewfieMama

Our doctors have been telling us a non-COVID virus is going around because they've had many patients coming in with symptoms and testing negative for strep, flu, and COVID.

In my mind, I have to prepare myself for the idea that at some point this winter, someone in the family will get sick from a normal, run-of-the-mill cold. It's just a numbers thing and the fact that there are germs everywhere. It will probably be stressful, and i'm assuming it likely means if anyone gets a sniffle or fever they will be staying home from school/work for a few days, where before they would just take some meds and go in (and thus spreading germs).

[redplum33]

Originally Posted by id77

The way I see it, the course of treatment given to me will not change whether it's a simple cold or Covid, so it makes no difference knowing which it is.

The course of treatment won't change but you could be spreading it if it's COVID. It sounds like you don't care.

[Bridge781]

Yeah kids are definitely going to get sick again when school starts up. They haven’t been in school since March.

[redplum33]

Originally Posted by porterhouse

Primary care doctors who embrace the role of gate keeper are beyond frustrating.

And it's also why you shouldn't trust the stats.

[NewfieMama]

Originally Posted by id77

There's something going around. I have it too (cough, malaise, sore throat, runny nose).

I don't see any reason to jump to thinking it's Covid yet, though. The way I see it, the course of treatment given to me will not change whether it's a simple cold or Covid, so it makes no difference knowing which it is.

I absolutely do not think we have COVID. I think we have a run-of-the-mill head cold. But it's stressful times and even if there is a .5% chance we could have it, I'd like to know. If I have a negative test result, I would feel more comfortable running out to the store or even taking the dog for a walk. Right now, even with a very low chance of having it, I don't want to leave the house.

[OutdoorLover]

Originally Posted by id77

There's something going around. I have it too (cough, malaise, sore throat, runny nose).

I don't see any reason to jump to thinking it's Covid yet, though. The way I see it, the course of treatment given to me will not change whether it's a simple cold or Covid, so it makes no difference knowing which it is.

If you really have Covid-19, and are trending negative, experienced hospital clinicians might treat you with any of the following to head off the worst:
- Remdesivir (antiviral)
- Corticosteroids (inflammation suppressants)
- Anticoagulants (clotting suppressants)

[BostonMike7]

Originally Posted by redplum33

The course of treatment won't change but you could be spreading it if it's COVID. It sounds like you don't care.

Actually,

There has been some debate over whether the use of Ibuprofen can make the symptoms of Covid worse. It's still being debated, so everyone can do their own research and draw their own conclusions.

[Bridge781]

A lot of people have allergies this time of year too.

[redplum33]

Originally Posted by BostonMike7

Actually,

There has been some debate over whether the use of Ibuprofen can make the symptoms of Covid worse. It's still being debated, so everyone can do their own research and draw their own conclusions.

Naproxen too, I think. Probably best to stick with Tylenol (acetaminophen) just in case.

[NewfieMama]

The doctor who is doing my daughter's rapid test felt very strongly that the entire region was going to be paralyzed in a few weeks because we "do not have the capacity to test every child who has the sniffles." He said with schools starting, these head colds will be super common and every test site will be completely clogged with school-aged kids needing negative COVID results to return to school.

I don't think he's wrong--I'm pretty sure we need a negative result to return to camp, so it's basically the same thing. He said they already fill up all testing appts. as soon as they're open, so it's just going to get worse. I think we have all seen this coming for months now: fall arrives with its usual viruses. But I was hoping we'd be in a better place with testing centers so that testing would be quick, efficient, and cheap.