Covid? Strep? Flu?

[leahgoogle]

We had something similar come through our family about a month ago, but not as severe. Definitely the sore throat thing. It ran it's course. But, I would definitely would not dismiss mono as a possiblility.

 

[AustinTink]

Sometimes 3's a charm with a covid test I would Repeat.

This was our experience.

 

[Skippy918]

My 12yo just got over something similar. Bad sore throat, fever, headache and lots of congestion. She’s better now. It wasn’t strep or Covid either. She was sick for 4-5 days.

 

[DLgal]

Probably HMPV. It comes with a bad sore throat. My 17 year old was sick with a nasty sore throat virus in early May. Everything else was negative, but he had the sore throat for almost 2 weeks. Back then, no one was talking about HMPV, but then it came into the news around late May. My son had been sick literally a month before with a cold, and I could not believe he was sick so soon afterwards, but a different virus would explain that.

In 2019, I had a virus where I had a sore throat SO bad that I couldn't drink water. I literally could only suck on Popsicles and ice cubes and let the liquid sort of trickle down. My doctor prescribed me some lidocaine gargle, and that finally helped me be able to eat and drink. It was terrible. I got 2 strep swabs and the second one was sent to lab for culture. It was not a bacterial infection. Took a total of 20 days to feel better.

 

[leahgoogle]

Probably HMPV. It comes with a bad sore throat. My 17 year old was sick with a nasty sore throat virus in early May. Everything else was negative, but he had the sore throat for almost 2 weeks. Back then, no one was talking about HMPV, but then it came into the news around late May. My son had been sick literally a month before with a cold, and I could not believe he was sick so soon afterwards, but a different virus would explain that.

In 2019, I had a virus where I had a sore throat SO bad that I couldn't drink water. I literally could only suck on Popsicles and ice cubes and let the liquid sort of trickle down. My doctor prescribed me some lidocaine gargle, and that finally helped me be able to eat and drink. It was terrible. I got 2 strep swabs and the second one was sent to lab for culture. It was not a bacterial infection. Took a total of 20 days to feel better.

I figured it had to be a different virus because everyone got it except DH who was working a lot at the time. Normally a couple of us escape an illness when another family member gets sick.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Healthyto your Son Maxaroni and all in this thread in need and the rest of us, of course, to stay healthy! Take care everyone, please and be safe.

 

[maxaroni]

I am wondering if an ENT would be helpful. I spoke to DS this evening and he’s not feeling any better and is at a loss as to what to do. He just wants to feel better.

 

[DLgal]

I am wondering if an ENT would be helpful. I spoke to DS this evening and he’s not feeling any better and is at a loss as to what to do. He just wants to feel better.

He needs to just give it time. Many viruses take awhile to clear. Is he treating the sore throat with anything? Aleve is fantastic for this kind of pain, really knocks down the inflammation. Warm soups, cold or frozen foods, lots of rest, etc. Unless he is running a fever, there is nothing else to be done. An ENT is not appropriate in this situation, unless he is dealing with something like recurrent tonsillitis.

 

[maxaroni]

He needs to just give it time. Many viruses take awhile to clear. Is he treating the sore throat with anything? Aleve is fantastic for this kind of pain, really knocks down the inflammation. Warm soups, cold or frozen foods, lots of rest, etc. Unless he is running a fever, there is nothing else to be done. An ENT is not appropriate in this situation, unless he is dealing with something like recurrent tonsillitis.

Thanks. My daughter in law has been healthy and has been getting him soup as well as making some chicken noodle soup. No fever, no swollen lymph nodes, spleen is fine.

 

[DLgal]

Thanks. My daughter in law has been healthy and has been getting him soup as well as making some chicken noodle soup. No fever, no swollen lymph nodes, spleen is fine.

Tell him to take Aleve liquid gels (2 every 12 hours) for a few days. Get Popsicles. It really helps. Also, inhale some steam and do salt water gargle a few times a day. This also soothes the throat.

 

[DVCjj]

Both my wife and I have been sick for about 4 weeks, mostly chest congestion. From the description I think we have the HMPV. Its not covid. Nothing seems to help other than rest

Thanks for mentioning HMPV. Never heard of it and I'm an amateur medical sleuth (always wanted to go into the field) and looked it up. I just told my friend whose husband has been suffering for 4 weeks with so many of the same symptoms and not Covid. He was in the hospital for 4 days with mid pneumonia & all the other symptoms and they couldn't give a true answer. On steroids and nebulizer as we speak. Still feeling crumby.

I'm telling her to research HMPV. I always have felt you need to be your own advocate.

 

[hmsTigger]

I am thinking back to the 14 days you mentioned in your original post
Sometimes the Mono test is initially negative and additional blood testing is required which is done 10-14 days later Like more specific testing for EBV (Epstein Barr Virus) or Antibody testing.
If it has been 2 weeks, perhaps your DS should return and request additional testing. Is he assertive?
Did DS mention swollen glands?
Hope today he sees some improvement.

 

[maxaroni]

I am thinking back to the 14 days you mentioned in your original post
Sometimes the Mono test is initially negative and additional blood testing is required which is done 10-14 days later Like more specific testing for EBV (Epstein Barr Virus) or Antibody testing.
If it has been 2 weeks, perhaps your DS should return and request additional testing. Is he assertive?
Did DS mention swollen glands?
Hope today he sees some improvement.

I asked him last night about swollen glands and he said no. I am hedging towards mono and if no better next week, I will suggest going for further testing. It’s Friday and hopefully, come Monday he will feel better. If not, back to the doctors for further testing. He was just at his doctors Wednesday night and she is not concerned about most issues and thinks it may just need to run its course. Of course, when you feel lousy that isn’t helpful. LOL. He has learned to be very assertive through his career and knows he has to be his own advocate. He’s seen enough within our family to know that you need to be a bit pushy to get tests done, or what have you. Ugh.

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[maxaroni]

Tell him to take Aleve liquid gels (2 every 12 hours) for a few days. Get Popsicles. It really helps. Also, inhale some steam and do salt water gargle a few times a day. This also soothes the throat.

Thanks! When DS was young and had a sore throat, I’d give him popsicles. He would be so excited as he’d be getting popsicles in the morning and it was such a treat. It was the first thing I asked him, do you have popsicles.

My grandmother told me, when I was young, a little bit of honey cut with a few drops of lemon juice. Take little spoonfuls and it would ease the throat and cough.

 

[hmsTigger]

You are a great Mom!

 

[flyingdumbo127]

You are indeed a caring and great Mom, Maxaroni. Continuing

 

[maxaroni]

Thanks for the kind words. It doesn’t matter how old our “kids” are, still his mom and want him to feel better.

 

[hmsTigger]

Thanks for the kind words. It doesn’t matter how old our “kids” are, still his mom and want him to feel better.

Just circling back @maxaroni how is your son doing?

 

[maxaroni]

thanks for asking. He is doing fine. Never found out what it was but it kicked his ***.

Just circling back @maxaroni how is your son doing?

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Maxaroni and I am extra grateful to God your son is doing well!