I’ve been wearing a mask at crowded spaces but a couple of days ago the supermarket was very very busy and someone let their child run up behind me and open mouth cough right next to me.

Masks work and it took 4 years for me to catch it the first time, but they aren’t miracle workers if the general public are allowed to basically come up and assault you.

I hope it’s just the flu but I recognise these emerging symptoms as the same as when I first got it last April.

You might think I’m overreacting but the last time I got COVID it hit me hard. I have no memory of the week and a half it was at its worst, as It was just a haze of pain, fever dreams and confusion. It scares me to think how it might have damaged my brain (insert obvious jokes here) and I’m terrified of having it again. Especially if it does worse damage each time you get it.

  • AntifaSuperWombat [she/her]@hexbear.netEnglish
    11·
    24 days ago

    Instead of freaking out you should get a COVID test to confirm that you actually have it. I do this every single time I’m sick just to be sure and keep my mind calm.

    Wish you a speedy recovery. meow-hug

    • DigitalNirvana@lemm.eeEnglish
      10·
      24 days ago

      RATs (rapid antigen tests) have a 40% false negative. So you may need to run several of them to get an accurate positive result. Nucleic Acid tests like PlusLife are far more sensitive, and so more suited to early detection, tho’ less available in the US. PCR is, of course the ‘gold standard’, but results are dependent on CT (cycle threshold numbers). A PCR that is (+) with a low CT is pretty definitive. A proper lab or doctors office with the right equipment is your best test approach.

      • AntifaSuperWombat [she/her]@hexbear.netEnglish
        5·
        24 days ago

        Dirt_Owl is Australian, if I’m not mistaken. So maybe they have a better infrastructure but they probably still have to pay it themself and PCR test are pretty expensive.

        mystery-emote

        RATs (rapid antigen tests) have a 40% false negative.

        That’s very good to know. But the false positive rate is very low. So when you have a positive result, you most likely have it, which is valuable information.

  • GrouchyGrouse [he/him]@hexbear.netEnglish
    9·
    24 days ago

    Lots of fluids. If you can’t get your mitts on real electrolyte fluids you can always sip a couple ounces of pickle brine in a pinch.

    If you have the energy for it lay out some clean pajamas, brush your teeth, take a shower, put on your PJs and snuggle under some blankets. Sometimes when you’re feeling icky getting clean and dry and warm can be a wonderful feeling.

    If you lose your appetite eat small things. A few apple slices. Peeling the apple might make it easier to chew and swallow. A couple crackers with water to help wash it down. Let it settle before going for more. Eating can restore your appetite but give it time to work.

    • DigitalNirvana@lemm.eeEnglish
      5·
      24 days ago

      Neti washing with isotonic saline can physically remove virus, bacteria, etc. Adding a few drops 8-12 of mild soap (1% Baby shampoo was used in the research paper) can have significant anti-viral and anti-bacterial action. That’s why we wash our hands with soap & water, not just water alone.

  • TheModerateTankie [any]@hexbear.netEnglish
    7·
    24 days ago

    Rest! More rest than you think you need if possible. Try not to push yourself for a few weeks when you feel better.

    The good news is that there haven’t been any wild new variants for a while, so if it is similar to the last variant of covid you were infected with, or vaccinated against, your body probably has better odds of being able to fight it off and prevent it from doing too much damage.

    Metformin is supposed to help, but it’s a diabetes drug and who knows if it’s been approved for treating covid where you are.

    There is also a little evidence that certain varieties of CBD can help.

  • Esoteir [he/him]@hexbear.netEnglish
    6·
    24 days ago

    i believe the flu is much more common than covid right now, so it’s deffo more likely to be the flu

    meow-hug

    if it ends up being covid: if you can and have the means to, paxlovid can help a bunch with covid

    at least in the US you can get a prescription from sending a pic of a positive test to telehealth or CVS/walgreens clinics

    and also US exclusive paxlovid gives out a free set of medicine once if you dont have insurance

    https://www.paxlovid.com/paxcess#have-medicare-medicaid-or-are-uninsured-your-paxlovid-may-be-free

    otherwise if you have the essentials for a flu or covid that should hopefully be good, repeat infections are (usually) milder than the first but still be careful

    inshallah support to the troops (white blood cells)

  • StillNoLeftLeft [none/use name, she/her]@hexbear.netEnglish
    5·
    24 days ago

    First of all: meow-hug You are going to be ok!

    I did the iota-carrageenan flu stop spray and antihistames (pepcid and a H1 blocker) the last time I got it and my head cold symptoms were a lot less dramatic then previously. Not sure if related though. Also took quercetin.

    Electrolyte drinks from day one, really making sure you hydrate. If you get a fever, medicate with paracethamol or ibuprofen. I also drank lots of kefir and took probiotics, to keep my good guys alive.

    My partner was on metformin and did a lot better than he has in the past.

    And radical rest, audiobooks and hot honeyed drinks (no caffeine), try to eat something, d-vitamin and zinc might help too.

    And more rest. Meditate, eat some treats, try to pamper yourself. Put on wool socks and make a blanket fort where you watch all your favourite shows. Get some ice cream.

    And test a few times to see if it is covid. It took me several days to become positive the last time, cleared in five days to negative.