Covid? Cold? Flu? WTH?

As an RN seeing Covid since the beginning of 2020, there have been so many ?’s and still are. This season; sinus, allergies, cold, flu, pneumonia and Covid are so confusing that a sneeze sends humanity racing to get tested. This blog will answer some questions I am asked daily. 1. Rapid test or PCR? Rapid test can be 2 hours to 48 hours results. I actually have had and do the 2 hour test. There is a 4% chance of inaccuracy based on that window of time from exposure. My understanding; 5-7 days from exposure, is most accurate. The gold star test, PCR. This requires an urgent care appointment, can cost $250, but rules out strep, flu, Covid...

2. Cold or Flu? Colds are slow to happen, symptoms include congestion, runny nose, sneezing sore throat, coughing, watery eyes and fever. Flu is sudden with worse symptoms like a cold but worse with fever, chills and aching muscles and joints.

3. Sinus or Allergies? Both cause upper head congestion, and left untreated a sinus infection will lead to cheek/jaw pain, yellow/green mucous and fever.

4. Now, amp up all the above adding on a few more symptoms, and that is Covid. Fever, chills, body aches, headache, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, congestion, runny nose, loss of taste and/or smell, diarrhea and/or vomiting.

So, when in doubt, rule it out. Rapid tests are free, for now. Covered under the Care Act of 2016. PCR is not free. Calling a Health Care Provider these days, you may find them telling you to go get a test...many HCP’s will not see a patient in person and a sick one they won’t see for sure. Visual appointments are the new safety measure. It is a new era folks! I know we need medicine and drs, but I am more grateful now for my education and gift with food/plants to support my body. I believe the bigger concern is becoming the psych of Covid.