My end-of-year holiday typically includes visits with family and friends and venturing out for planned Christmas activities. However, this year, my Flu-Rona holiday quandaries derailed any plans.
It’s a New Year and yet another novel term to describe updated COVID-19 and flu symptoms: the word Flu-Rona.
According to online sources, Flu-Rona, this respiratory infection involves flu and coronavirus cases.
The winter months bring on the cold and flu (Influenza) season. The confusion comes in when respiratory symptoms collide with COVID-19 manifestations.
My flu-Rona quandaries started after I attended an event in NYC before Christmas. A few days before Christmas, I received notification that someone at the event tested positive for COVID-19.
There are five ways to get a PCR COVID-19 test:
♦ Order a home collection kit
◊ Pick up at a store near you
♣ Visit a drive-thru
◊ Contact your local doctor or hospital
♦ Visiting select Lab/Specimen collection site
I mentioned the five ways to get a PCR test but neglected to say that all options are not always available or convenient.
Perhaps because I live in a Small Town in the USA, all available COVID-19 testing options were not readily available. I couldn’t order kits online; it took days to schedule a drive-thru, and I wasn’t aware of any testing sites where I didn’t need an appointment.
I scheduled my drugstore drive-thru COVID-19 test on Tuesday, December 22, and received negative results on Christmas.
I had a small Christmas celebration with just my immediate family. But a few days later, I thought I had COVID-19 and was unsure of my exposure to it.
On the Monday after Christmas, I experienced headaches, nausea, body aches, vomiting, and more flu-like symptoms. I had no respiratory symptoms such as fever, coughing, or difficulty breathing. However, when I phoned my doctor’s office on Tuesday morning, they insisted I come to the office but stay in my car for a PCR test. The PCR test is the nose swab test.
Once again, my COVID-19 test results and a negative diagnosis from Quest Diagnostics, where I usually receive my blood work results online, hallelujah!
After three days on the couch, I’m thankful I could rule out COVID-19, the newest variant, Omicron, and Flu-Rona.
As always, protect yourself and your community with double vaccinations and boosters.
