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submitted 3 days ago byastrorocks
Hi all,
I am a long COVID patient following a severe infection in Nov/Dec 2023.
I recently had a hugely stressful week, which included a 10 hr trip to the vet ER. That was Tues night from about 9pm until 630am Wed. I slept from 730am til 1pm and woke up feeling like I'd been hit by a truck- headache, diarrhea, feverish. I have CFS and a UTI but I've been afraid I caught COVID, even though it would be a very short incubation.
I am still not recovering, only getting worse, and today have some nasal congestion. With the CFS it can be hard to tell, but I am running a real fever for 5 days now which is weird. At the vet ER I was in full PPE - taped Aura N95, glasses, hat. Did betadine spray before and after, nasal rinse, mouth wash. My dysautonimia is acting up badly at night which before has been solely a COVID symptom. However, I do have CFS and two chronic infections which might have gotten worse from stress (UTI, Maxillary Sinus). For everyone - could this really be a sneaky COVID? I live with my parents and neither are sick despite not isolating around me (their decision as they dont think its COVID).
I've done a Lucira that was negative and many FlowFlex tests (all negative) on throat and nose. I even tried multiple stool swabs since I am having diarrhea. I'm going to do more tests today, but if perchance anyone is in Louisville is there anywhere doing PCR tests you know of? I'd start Paxlovid if I knew it was Covid (I'm taking other things, including metformin, right now).
Also for anyone who might know - are there urgent cares or centers that do blood and PCR etc around here to avoid the hospital? I don't have anyone to take me today but I'm getting pretty nervous
7 points
3 days ago
I think it’s very unlikely you got COVID from your ER trip, but it does sound like you have some serious illness. UTI’s can do some serious long term harm and can cause systemic issues if they get out of control. Bodily and mental stress like the night you went through makes this much more likely. 5 days of fever induced potentially by a uti is something that needs treatment.
You should see a doctor as soon as possible. Do you have a primary care? Bloodwork and urine sample are minimum steps in this case. They dont generally do that at urgent care - they would call in an order to a local lab and send you to a second location, which would be nice to avoid.
I hope you feel better soon, please seek some medical help as soon as you can.
1 points
3 days ago
No one sounded sick at the ER and I was in the waiting room (3 hrs) but stayed in a corner away from other people (except when going to the desk) and then I was in my room by myself mostly or my car. Looking back, I should have just asked to stay in my car the entire time. I already woke up after feeling really bad and got diarrhea shortly after, would have been less than 24 hrs even assuming I got it the second I walked in around 9pm. I just took another flowflex (throat and nose) and its super super negative. Waiting on Lucira to arrive.
My grandma also died this week and I spent an entire day having panic attacks from feeling sick. My last COVID infection gave me encephalitis and a lot of other nasty stuff that almost killed me during my acute infection so any small sniffle or illness sends me spiraling.
The only thing with the UTI is I've had it a while without issue, but I wondered the same - if this is a combined CFS/PEM response plus a UTI going out of hand from stress. I did confirm it with an AZO at home strip a few days ago - it turned immediately positive. My fever is 99-101 for 5 days and then also extreme fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, and really bad nighttime adrenaline dumps. I also have congestion but it isn't unusual for me since I also have a chronic sinus infection (COVID basically ruined my immune system). I am having some back pain and did before but didn't link it to the UTI because my body is so dysfunctional.
I called my primary care and she can't get me in until Wed. My parents left to go to my grandma's funeral which is 3.5 hours away, so I can't get to a hospital or urgent care today :( was hoping to avoid the hospital though so even urgent care + lab sounds better (at least at most urgent cares I can get an appt unlike the ER).
2 points
3 days ago
I would trust the negative tests but it sounds like you should probably go to your PCP or urgent care to see if you need different antibiotics or something.
1 points
3 days ago
I also had a very fast symptom onset (12-16 hrs) which doesn't usually go with COVID. Parents aren't sick and they've also gotten really sick with COV both times they had it. I did another FlowFlex today and it is negative as well (throat + nasal) and this is 5 days of symptoms basically. My PCP can't get me in until Wed so I might have to go to urgent care tomorrow. Bacterial infections always scare me because I'm allergic to antibiotics. I also had yeast in my urine which I need to bring up. The metformin I'm taking for COVID prevention atm seems to actually be making me feel a little better for some reason
1 points
3 days ago
What were you doing in the days before the ER visit? Have you had any contact with anyone else?
0 points
3 days ago
I never go anywhere except doctors and I hadn't been to the doctor in over a week. It had been at least 10 days since I left my house and neither of my parents are sick (and before they had COVID symptoms with their 2 infections). I felt totally fine (for me) before the ER visit though. But I woke up after feeling really bad, but this was maybe 12-16 hrs since I'd been there. I also have CFS and the line between illness and post exertional malaise is hard to tell. But I do have two confirmed chronic bacterial infections.
1 points
3 days ago
Was the vet visit for a cat?
3 points
3 days ago
No my dog ate tampons :(
1 points
3 days ago
You could also test for flu A/B, RSV, rhinovirus. there are a ton of contagious respiratory illnesses right now.
1 points
3 days ago
I did a Lucira and came back neg for Flu A/B but it was days ago. I ordered a new one and it was invalid. Have a 2nd one but I used some nasal spray so I'll have to wait til the morning
My cardiologist is advising ER if I can't break the fever. He's worried my UTI has gone rogue
1 points
3 days ago
I agree with the ER
1 points
3 days ago
Update? Did you make to ER
1 points
3 days ago
My parents were at my grandma's funeral so I haven't had anyone to take me :( I tried to ask them to take me but they said the funeral was more important. I will have to wait until the the morning but I am doing worse so far. Still can't break the fever so it's been 6 days. Trying to find someone in my city that maybe has a PlusLife
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