Non controversial question about Omicron

[prairie_girl]

Hope you're starting to feel better!

Apparently I've been living under a rock because... What is a lumpy throat? I'm very familiar with scratchy type of sore throat. Does it mean you feel like something is stuck in your throat? I would think no since that doesn't seem like a symptom of illness.

I meant a sore throat that feels like swollen tonsils or lymph nodes.

 

[Kamy04]

I like to read the doctor/medical Reddit, so this is anecdotal. One of them said they are wondering if home tests may take longer to show positive in vaxxed people because they have less virus or whatever and it may take longer to build (and maybe due to Omricon). Something the medical community is throwing around and wondering because a few of them are testing negative for a few days before positive. You kinda have to test as just the “right” (mysterious) time. They are also quite accurate with symptoms (but not the first sign of them), but not as accurate without symptoms.

My DS11 (then obviously unvaxxed and probably Delta) was positive within 30 seconds in September. He had only had a fever/aches 18 hours before (and they were fine by then), so it showed up fast for him.

DS7 had a sore throat and fever last weekend. Tested negative. I had a really sore, swollen throat a few days ago and I have some nasal congestion now, but my throat is now fine. Tested twice and both were negative, but we cancelled holiday plans anyway cause who knows! No one needs any dang virus right now.

 

[Christine]

I have never heard of a lumpy sore throat! But really, what they are saying is that, with this variant, many people are complaining of symptoms starting in their throat, however they want to personally describe it, if that makes sense. For some it’s scratchy, for others it’s a little sore, for some I guess it’s lumpy , etc.


I don’t think it necessarily means that the home tests don’t work. It may just mean that there wasn’t enough of the virus detectable at the point the test was taken. Even with the PCR tests, people can be negative and then test positive. (We see that in the hospital all the time.) Once a virus enters the system, it duplicates over and over for several days until it reaches a level that it makes the person symptomatic (or not).

Someone in my life had a sore throat all week. Did home tests AND a PCR at the doctor’s office, all negative, and the doctor even said the chances of testing positive at that point were practically nil (when deciding whether to go to a family gathering). Was at a store yesterday where they had home tests so bought some and decided to test one more time. Grossly positive! That’s part of the tricky part of this virus. Even though tests can be negative, one may still be infected and able to transmit the virus before tests turn positive. I woke up with a scratchy throat today myself. Did a home test which was negative, but I have an appt for a PCR on Monday, too. This thing is everywhere right now. Taking precautions while I wait.

Yeah, maybe I didn't phrase that right. I know so many people who did rapid tests that came out negative and then later test posted. I think part of that is do to time and accuracy. The pharmacist in my local CVS said the rapid tests are really best for people who have full-blown symptoms so if you come in CVS with full-blown they do try to encourage the rapid.

 

[Christine]

I like to read the doctor/medical Reddit, so this is anecdotal. One of them said they are wondering if home tests may take longer to show positive in vaxxed people because they have less virus or whatever and it may take longer to build (and maybe due to Omricon). Something the medical community is throwing around and wondering because a few of them are testing negative for a few days before positive. You kinda have to test as just the “right” (mysterious) time. They are also quite accurate with symptoms (but not the first sign of them), but not as accurate without symptoms.

My DS11 (then obviously unvaxxed and probably Delta) was positive within 30 seconds in September. He had only had a fever/aches 18 hours before (and they were fine by then), so it showed up fast for him.

DS7 had a sore throat and fever last weekend. Tested negative. I had a really sore, swollen throat a few days ago and I have some nasal congestion now, but my throat is now fine. Tested twice and both were negative, but we cancelled holiday plans anyway cause who knows! No one needs any dang virus right now.

My son was around someone on 12/22 who tested negative with a rapid, took a PCR the very next day, which came back positive. He's now got a pretty bad sore throat. It's painful and, I guess "lumpy." He says his tonsils look swollen and he's got white stuff all over them. Likely not COVID is my guess, but he's having a PCR done today so he won't know for another day or two.

 

[leebee]

Here I sit, positive for Covid as of yesterday- Merry Christmas, right? On Friday evening I had trouble falling asleep. I had post nasal drip and a very runny nose. It didn't worry me much, as I have sinus issues anyhow. However, by yesterday morning I had a super scratchy throat- and also scratchy chest, along with a dry little cough. I found an at-home test kit and it lit up as positive in about 20 seconds. Since then I've also developed a "productive"cough, headache, and body/joint aches. I feel like crap. DH, who was in all the same places as I was, feels fine and tested negative. He has an appointment for a re-test on the 29th, to make sure he's OK. He is fully vaccinated and boosted. I am fully vaccinated but was waiting to get the Pfizer booster. My bad, I guess.

It annoys me when people say the at-home tests aren't reliable. They ARE, but you have to use them properly. You can't find out you were exposed and test immediately. You won't have build up enough virus in your system if you test right away, so they'll come out negative. You need to wait 3-5 days after exposure to test, not test the next morning after being exposed. PCR testing is also "unreliable" if you don't wait the appropriate amount of time after exposure. DD had Covid last January. She was symptomless on the Friday that she had her testing done, sent off for PCR. By Sunday she had a fever of 103F and tested positive (rapid test). On Tuesday her PCR test from Friday came back... negative. Regardless of the testing method being used, you have to have enough virus in your system for it to be detectable.

 

[prairie_girl]

Here I sit, positive for Covid as of yesterday- Merry Christmas, right? On Friday evening I had trouble falling asleep. I had post nasal drip and a very runny nose. It didn't worry me much, as I have sinus issues anyhow. However, by yesterday morning I had a super scratchy throat- and also scratchy chest, along with a dry little cough. I found an at-home test kit and it lit up as positive in about 20 seconds. Since then I've also developed a "productive"cough, headache, and body/joint aches. I feel like crap. DH, who was in all the same places as I was, feels fine and tested negative. He has an appointment for a re-test on the 29th, to make sure he's OK. He is fully vaccinated and boosted. I am fully vaccinated but was waiting to get the Pfizer booster. My bad, I guess.

It annoys me when people say the at-home tests aren't reliable. They ARE, but you have to use them properly. You can't find out you were exposed and test immediately. You won't have build up enough virus in your system if you test right away, so they'll come out negative. You need to wait 3-5 days after exposure to test, not test the next morning after being exposed. PCR testing is also "unreliable" if you don't wait the appropriate amount of time after exposure. DD had Covid last January. She was symptomless on the Friday that she had her testing done, sent off for PCR. By Sunday she had a fever of 103F and tested positive (rapid test). On Tuesday her PCR test from Friday came back... negative. Regardless of the testing method being used, you have to have enough virus in your system for it to be detectable.

I hope you feel better soon.

I woke up and I don’t have a sore throat today and I feel fine so I’m going to assume it was just a random thing. If I develop new symptoms or it comes back, I’ll probably get a test (would be my first one).

 

[wenrob]

Here I sit, positive for Covid as of yesterday- Merry Christmas, right? On Friday evening I had trouble falling asleep. I had post nasal drip and a very runny nose. It didn't worry me much, as I have sinus issues anyhow. However, by yesterday morning I had a super scratchy throat- and also scratchy chest, along with a dry little cough. I found an at-home test kit and it lit up as positive in about 20 seconds. Since then I've also developed a "productive"cough, headache, and body/joint aches. I feel like crap. DH, who was in all the same places as I was, feels fine and tested negative. He has an appointment for a re-test on the 29th, to make sure he's OK. He is fully vaccinated and boosted. I am fully vaccinated but was waiting to get the Pfizer booster. My bad, I guess.

It annoys me when people say the at-home tests aren't reliable. They ARE, but you have to use them properly. You can't find out you were exposed and test immediately. You won't have build up enough virus in your system if you test right away, so they'll come out negative. You need to wait 3-5 days after exposure to test, not test the next morning after being exposed. PCR testing is also "unreliable" if you don't wait the appropriate amount of time after exposure. DD had Covid last January. She was symptomless on the Friday that she had her testing done, sent off for PCR. By Sunday she had a fever of 103F and tested positive (rapid test). On Tuesday her PCR test from Friday came back... negative. Regardless of the testing method being used, you have to have enough virus in your system for it to be detectable.

I would also like to add that the at home tests come two in a pack for ONE person. You are supposed to test twice 72 hours apart. As others have said, you may not have enough of a viral load to register the first time.

I’m so sorry you are sick leebee. I hope you make a swift recovery and that your DH remains well.

 

[SirDuff]

I would also like to add that the at home tests come two in a pack for ONE person. You are supposed to test twice 72 hours apart. As others have said, you may not have enough of a viral load to register the first time.

I’m so sorry you are sick leebee. I hope you make a swift recovery and that your DH remains well.

Depends on the test. They do not come that way here (Switzerland) nor were they ones being given out in Ontario last week that way (they were boxes of five tests). Not to say you shouldn’t repeat your test, but not all kits are set up as such.

 

[Christine]

Here I sit, positive for Covid as of yesterday- Merry Christmas, right? On Friday evening I had trouble falling asleep. I had post nasal drip and a very runny nose. It didn't worry me much, as I have sinus issues anyhow. However, by yesterday morning I had a super scratchy throat- and also scratchy chest, along with a dry little cough. I found an at-home test kit and it lit up as positive in about 20 seconds. Since then I've also developed a "productive"cough, headache, and body/joint aches. I feel like crap. DH, who was in all the same places as I was, feels fine and tested negative. He has an appointment for a re-test on the 29th, to make sure he's OK. He is fully vaccinated and boosted. I am fully vaccinated but was waiting to get the Pfizer booster. My bad, I guess.

It annoys me when people say the at-home tests aren't reliable. They ARE, but you have to use them properly. You can't find out you were exposed and test immediately. You won't have build up enough virus in your system if you test right away, so they'll come out negative. You need to wait 3-5 days after exposure to test, not test the next morning after being exposed. PCR testing is also "unreliable" if you don't wait the appropriate amount of time after exposure. DD had Covid last January. She was symptomless on the Friday that she had her testing done, sent off for PCR. By Sunday she had a fever of 103F and tested positive (rapid test). On Tuesday her PCR test from Friday came back... negative. Regardless of the testing method being used, you have to have enough virus in your system for it to be detectable.

Oh, wow, I hope you have a very short case of this and feel better soon. So, any ideas where you think you picked it up? I know if it happens to me I'll just want to try to figure that out, although, not 100% possible I know.

 

[wenrob]

Depends on the test. They do not come that way here (Switzerland) nor were they ones being given out in Ontario last week that way (they were boxes of five tests). Not to say you shouldn’t repeat your test, but not all kits are set up as such.

Huh. The packs of two are all I’ve seen. All the directions I’ve read/seen say to test a second time 48-72 hours if you get a negative.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Huh. The packs of two are all I’ve seen. All the directions I’ve read/seen say to test a second time 48-72 hours if you get a negative.

Most of the ones we’ve bought have been 2 tests. But we did buy one two weeks ago (only one we could find) that was only a single test and specifically said no retest was needed.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Most of the ones we’ve bought have been 2 tests. But we did buy one two weeks ago (only one we could find) that was only a single test and specifically said no retest was needed.

We purchased some at-home tests. Flowflex comes in 1 test ($10). It does say

• Requires just 1 test* with the asterisk saying *Other COVID-19 antigen home tests may require a 2nd test 2-3 days after the first.

I'm guessing that's the one you got as well. We purchased ours on Christmas Eve (to test right before we went to husband's family for dinner) at CVS and the location he went to was a lesser frequented one who had just gotten more supply in.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

We purchased some at-home tests. Flowflex comes in 1 test ($10). It does say

• Requires just 1 test* with the asterisk saying *Other COVID-19 antigen home tests may require a 2nd test 2-3 days after the first.

I'm guessing that's the one you got as well. We purchased ours on Christmas Eve (to test right before we went to husband's family for dinner) at CVS and the location he went to was a lesser frequented one who had just gotten more supply in.

Yep, that’s the one.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

@leebee so sorry to hear about your positive hope you feel better soon.

 

[leebee]

Oh, wow, I hope you have a very short case of this and feel better soon. So, any ideas where you think you picked it up? I know if it happens to me I'll just want to try to figure that out, although, not 100% possible I know.

Traveling. We tested on 12/15 and were both negative, so felt it was "safe" to continue with our holiday plans. We flew from Maine to New Orleans on 12/18, from NOLA to MCO on 12/22, then home on Christmas day. I hadn't felt sick on Christmas morning, just my usual sinus-stuff, so I didn't think twice about flying home. By the time we landed in Maine, I felt AWFUL- tight scratchy chest, scratchy throat, and just uncomfortable. There were tests available at the airport, so I took one, and it was positive. I am feeling even worse now, and my fever's hanging out at about 101F, so I am pretty sure it's not a false positive! In NOLA we stayed at my sister's/BIL's home; neither have symptoms and are being tested tomorrow. DH is also symptomless so far, and has an appointment for 12/29 to be re-tested. My guess is maybe on that flight on 12/22? I feel badly about having flown on Christmas, but I honestly didn't think I was sick. However, we always double-mask and use sanitizing wipes when we fly, so I feel a little bit better- considering how many people blithely go about their days not masking at all.

ALSO- Thanks for all the good wishes and thoughts, everyone!

 

[Christine]

Traveling. We tested on 12/15 and were both negative, so felt it was "safe" to continue with our holiday plans. We flew from Maine to New Orleans on 12/18, from NOLA to MCO on 12/22, then home on Christmas day. I hadn't felt sick on Christmas morning, just my usual sinus-stuff, so I didn't think twice about flying home. By the time we landed in Maine, I felt AWFUL- tight scratchy chest, scratchy throat, and just uncomfortable. There were tests available at the airport, so I took one, and it was positive. I am feeling even worse now, and my fever's hanging out at about 101F, so I am pretty sure it's not a false positive! In NOLA we stayed at my sister's/BIL's home; neither have symptoms and are being tested tomorrow. DH is also symptomless so far, and has an appointment for 12/29 to be re-tested. My guess is maybe on that flight on 12/22? I feel badly about having flown on Christmas, but I honestly didn't think I was sick. However, we always double-mask and use sanitizing wipes when we fly, so I feel a little bit better- considering how many people blithely go about their days not masking at all.

ALSO- Thanks for all the good wishes and thoughts, everyone!

Thanks for the info! Here's hoping that you recover quickly.

 

[prairie_girl]

Traveling. We tested on 12/15 and were both negative, so felt it was "safe" to continue with our holiday plans. We flew from Maine to New Orleans on 12/18, from NOLA to MCO on 12/22, then home on Christmas day. I hadn't felt sick on Christmas morning, just my usual sinus-stuff, so I didn't think twice about flying home. By the time we landed in Maine, I felt AWFUL- tight scratchy chest, scratchy throat, and just uncomfortable. There were tests available at the airport, so I took one, and it was positive. I am feeling even worse now, and my fever's hanging out at about 101F, so I am pretty sure it's not a false positive! In NOLA we stayed at my sister's/BIL's home; neither have symptoms and are being tested tomorrow. DH is also symptomless so far, and has an appointment for 12/29 to be re-tested. My guess is maybe on that flight on 12/22? I feel badly about having flown on Christmas, but I honestly didn't think I was sick. However, we always double-mask and use sanitizing wipes when we fly, so I feel a little bit better- considering how many people blithely go about their days not masking at all.

ALSO- Thanks for all the good wishes and thoughts, everyone!

Do you have to let the airline know you are positive so they can let people know who were on your flight? I have no idea how that works.

 

[notatallmagic]

Is the air in your home very dry? That will affect your throat if you're a mouth breather all night.

I 'd make sure the air is humid and you have had some liquid before you seek out other reasons.

When I asked my doctor about this earlier on in the Covid era, and also more recently, he said that dry, scratchy throat is often a sign of "mouth breathing" which is common in those with allergies and/or recent weight gain. So, as a singular symptom, he felt that scratchy throat alone was not likely to be indicative of anything, but if you have access to an at home test, and want to be cautious...?

 

[AgentMama]

My brother said for him, it felt like he had glass in his throat when swallowing anything. Whatever medicine is doctor prescribed took that pain away fairly quickly.

 

[notatallmagic]

Here I sit, positive for Covid as of yesterday- Merry Christmas, right? On Friday evening I had trouble falling asleep. I had post nasal drip and a very runny nose. It didn't worry me much, as I have sinus issues anyhow. However, by yesterday morning I had a super scratchy throat- and also scratchy chest, along with a dry little cough. I found an at-home test kit and it lit up as positive in about 20 seconds. Since then I've also developed a "productive"cough, headache, and body/joint aches. I feel like crap. DH, who was in all the same places as I was, feels fine and tested negative. He has an appointment for a re-test on the 29th, to make sure he's OK. He is fully vaccinated and boosted. I am fully vaccinated but was waiting to get the Pfizer booster. My bad, I guess.

It annoys me when people say the at-home tests aren't reliable. They ARE, but you have to use them properly. You can't find out you were exposed and test immediately. You won't have build up enough virus in your system if you test right away, so they'll come out negative. You need to wait 3-5 days after exposure to test, not test the next morning after being exposed. PCR testing is also "unreliable" if you don't wait the appropriate amount of time after exposure. DD had Covid last January. She was symptomless on the Friday that she had her testing done, sent off for PCR. By Sunday she had a fever of 103F and tested positive (rapid test). On Tuesday her PCR test from Friday came back... negative. Regardless of the testing method being used, you have to have enough virus in your system for it to be detectable.

I agree there's something to the timing. Our school district standards after exposure require that the test be done on day 5 (exposure is Day 0) or after in order to leave quarantine on day 7.