How Many Days Can You Test Positive For The Flu

What Are The Symptoms Of The Flu In A Child

The flu is a respiratory disease, but it can affect the whole body. A child can become suddenly ill with any or all of these symptoms:

• Fever, which may be as high as 103°F to 105°F

• Body aches, which may be severe

• Headache

A cold is usually mild and often goes away after a few days. The flu can cause severe symptoms and lead to problems such as pneumonia and even death. The symptoms of the flu can be like other health conditions. Make sure your child sees his or her healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

How Long Does The Flu Last

For most healthy people, the flu is an uncomfortable but short-term illness that resolves itself as the immune system fights it off. Symptoms usually appear from one to four days after exposure to the virus, and they last five to seven days. For people who’ve had a flu shot, the symptoms may last a shorter amount of time, or be less severe. For other people, the symptoms may last longer. Even when symptoms resolve, you may continue to feel fatigued.

Some people are at increased risk for complications from influenza. These people include:

• the very young

What Else Can Help

To make spreading the flu less likely, everyone in your family should::

• Wash hands well and often with soap, especially after using the bathroom, after coughing or sneezing, and before eating or preparing food
• Never pick up used tissues.
• Never share cups and eating utensils.
• Stay home from work or school if they have the flu.
• Cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when they cough or sneeze, then put it in the trash.
• Cough or sneeze into their upper arm, not their hands, if a tissue isn’t handy.

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What About A Cough

If you have a cold or flu you may well have a cough, along with other symptoms.

Flu usually comes on suddenly and sufferers will often experience muscle aches, chills, headaches, tiredness, a sore throat and a runny or stuffed nose, along with the cough. It feels worse than a heavy cold.

Colds tend to develop more gradually and are less severe, although they do still make you feel unwell. Along with a cough, there may be sneezing and a sore throat and runny nose. Fever, chills, muscle aches and headaches are rare.

A coronavirus cough means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing fits or “episodes” in 24 hours.

If you usually have a cough because of a long-standing medical condition like COPD, it may be worse than usual.

You should get tested for coronavirus if you develop a new, continuous cough.

Can You Tell If Its The Flu Or Covid

As the flu season ramps up this fall and winter, every cough and sniffle will carry an extra worry: possible COVID-19 infection.

With influenza, COVID-19, and the usual cold-weather respiratory infections in circulation, experts say its bound to be a confusing season for people to sort out what to do when they fall ill.

We talked to UC San Francisco emergency care physician Jahan Fahimi, MD, and infectious disease specialist Peter Chin-Hong, MD, about the differences between flu and COVID-19, when to get a test, and why you shouldnt try to diagnose yourself.

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Is The Flu Contagious

The flu is very contagious. People can spread it from a day before they feel sick until their symptoms are gone. This is about 1 week for adults, but it can be longer for young kids.

The flu usually happens in annual epidemics. An epidemic is when an illness spreads quickly and infects lots of people in an area at the same time. Some years the epidemic is more severe and widespread than others. An epidemic that spreads worldwide is called a pandemic. This is far less common. There were three influenza pandemics in the 20th century, and one so far in the 21st century, in 2009 with influenza A .

During the coronavirus pandemic, experts found that wearing masks can help protect the community from the spread of germs. They recommended that all children age 2 and up wear a mask when out in public or around people who don’t live with them. Wearing masks can also help stop the spread of flu.

Are My Symptoms Covid

COVID-19 symptoms are similar to those of the flu, so Health Canada says anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms should follow the same precautions for COVID-19. Some symptoms of the common cold are similar to those of COVID-19, and the flu.

Initial reports out of South Africa of the Omicron variant show newer symptoms, including scratchy throat, mild muscle aches, extreme tiredness, dry cough and night sweats. But these have not been identified in any cases by Canadian authorities.

Dr. Matthew Miller, an associate professor of biochemistry and biomedical sciences at McMaster University in Hamilton and one of the researchers behind the universitys inhaled COVID-19 vaccine, says that there isnt any clear evidence yet that the Omicron variant symptoms are significantly different from any of the other variants. Any changes that were seeing relative to earlier cases of COVID-19 throughout the pandemic are more likely a function of whether or not people have underlying immunity, Dr. Miller says. That can change the symptom profile. The data is showing that individuals who are vaccinated tend to be experiencing milder illness.

Health Canada Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety

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The Role Of Influenza Tests

Influenza tests can serve several different purposes for both individual patients and the overall population.

In individuals, flu tests are used mainly to diagnose whether a person has an influenza virus infection. This can help doctors determine the cause of the symptoms and differentiate between the flu and other viral or bacterial infections. With some tests, the same test sample can be used to detect the flu and other infections, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

For certain patients, diagnosing influenza can help optimize and speed up treatment and avoid unnecessary or unhelpful medications. For example, influenza testing can assess whether a patient may benefit from antiviral treatments that may be effective against the flu.

Identifying an influenza infection may also help slow the transmission of the virus. A person who is known to have the flu can follow recommendations to avoid spreading it to others. When respiratory infection outbreaks occur in places like schools, cruises, nursing homes, or hospitals, testing for the flu can aid in understanding and controlling the outbreak.

On a population level, influenza testing can help evaluate the type of virus, including the type or subtype of influenza, that is having the greatest effect in a community.

Flurona: How To Tell If You Have The Covid

While flurona may not sound like a real thing, it very much is, health officials nationally and internationally said this week. As the name implies, flurona is when a person has both influenza and COVID-19.

Israel confirmed its first case of flurona in December, according to The Times of Israel. The dual infection was identified in an unvaccinated pregnant woman whose symptoms Beilinson Hospital doctors described as mild.

She was diagnosed with the flu and coronavirus as soon as she arrived. Both tests came back positive, even after we checked again, Prof. Arnon Vizhnitser, director of the hospitals gynecology department, explained. The disease is the same disease theyre viral and cause difficulty breathing since both attack the upper respiratory tract.

The World Health Organization told Nexstars WJW on Monday that the frequency of influenza co-infection among COVID-19 positive patients is 0.4% in America. According to WHO, co-infections are not unusual when there is an intense transmission of pathogens in communities, such as COVID-19 and flu.

The co-infection rate is much higher in Asia, WHO reports, with 4.5% of COVID-positive patients getting sick with influenza at the same time. Still, cases are appearing in the U.S. California, Ohio, and South Carolina are among states that have confirmed cases.

What are the symptoms of flurona?

• Fever or feeling feverish/chills

• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

How do I know if I have flurona?

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What This Means For You

If you have any flu-like symptoms, get tested for COVID-19 immediately. If your test comes back negative, call your doctor to check if you should go in for a flu test. Healthcare providers may be able to prescribe antiviral medication for the flu.

The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit our coronavirus news page.

The Accuracy Of Flu Tests Varies Depending On The Type Of Test

• RIDTs may be quick, but theyre not as accurate as other tests. Theyre able to detect flu viruses between 50% and 70% of the time. If paired with a special reader device, they become slightly more accurate .

• Rapid molecular assays are much more accurate than RIDTs. Theyre typically between 90% and 95% accurate.

• RT-PCR tests are also very accurate flu tests. Some studies have even found them to be 98% accurate at detecting flu viruses.

• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , immunofluorescence tests have moderate accuracy, but an exact percentage isnt provided. All we can say from this information is that this flu test is less accurate than rapid molecular assays and RT-PCR tests.

No matter which flu test you take, if you get a positive test result, there is a good chance that you are infected with the virus identified by the test. However, it does not rule out the possibility of a coinfection, which means that you may also be infected with another virus or bacteria not included in the test.

If you get a negative result, it means that the genetic material of the viruses being tested were not found in your sample. But as we discussed, it is possible to get a false negative result especially if you have symptoms, exposure risk, or other factors that suggest that you are infected. Your provider may use all of this information in determining the best course of action.

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Omicron Symptoms Mirror The Flu And Common Cold What Should I Do If I Feel Sick

Barb Richard spent two weeks in March 2020 in self-isolation in Toronto in an effort to do her part to plank the curve of COVID-19 infections. Now that the Omicron variant is coursing through Canada, many more people are having to self-isolate at home.Fred Lum/the Globe and Mail

In Canada, the seven-day rolling average of confirmed COVID-19 cases is up 107 per cent from the previous period, as the Omicron variant surges through the country ahead of the Christmas holidays.

Preliminary data say that Omicron is more transmissible than other variants, and spreading fast wherever it goes. Less hindered by vaccines, COVID-19 cases of the Omicron variant can also spread more easily through a vaccinated population than other variants, as The Globes science reporter Ivan Semeniuk reports.

Its transmissibility, rising case counts, and varied or inconsistent access to testing help fuel the spread of COVID-19. Staying home unless you are confident you dont have the virus offers the best way to protect others and limit its spread.

How Long Should You Quarantine Or Isolate

First things first, those who believe they have been in contact with someone who has COVID and are unvaccinated should quarantine. Those who test positive, regardless of vaccination status, must isolate, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Massachusetts General Hospital’s Dr. Ali Raja said he talks to his patients all the time about the difference between isolation and quarantine.

“Quarantine sounds a lot scarier,” he said. “It’s actually when you have been exposed and either aren’t fully vaccinated or you’re not vaccinated at all. You stay home even if you don’t have the virus. Isolation is when you’ve actually tested positive regardless of whether you had symptoms.”

“For either one you stay away from people, stay home for five days, and ideally test negative before coming out of it,” he added.

Here’s more on the differences between the two:

Quarantine

Those who have been within six feet of someone with COVID for a cumulative total of at least 15 minutes over a 24-hour period should quarantine for five days if unvaccinated, or if they are more than six months out from their second vaccine dose, according to updated CDC guidance issued Monday.

Once that period ends, they should partake in strict mask use for an additional five days.

Previously, the CDC said people who were not fully vaccinated and who came in close contact with an infected person should stay home for at least 10 days.

Isolation

So how do you calculate your isolation period?

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Staying Safe And Stopping The Spread Of The Flu

We’ve learnt a lot about staying safe and healthy in the last year, but the seasonal flu is still a concern and the best way to prevent it is by getting your flu shot

In the past year we’ve learned a lot about how to stay safe and stay healthy.

We know to wash our hands properly and sanitize often to stay home.

If we don’t feel well and to keep our distance from others but even with these precautions, the seasonal flu is still a concern and the best way to avoid it is to get your flu shot.

Remember to make sure it’s at least two weeks apart from your covert 19 vaccine to truly protect yourself and the people you love this flu season.

Don’t forget your flu shot authorised by the Victorian Government Melbourne.

Find Out If You Need Treatment

COVID-19 treatments may reduce severe illness in high-risk patients to keep them out of the hospital. For people with COVID-19 who are at high-risk, it is especially important that they seek medical attention promptly. Treatment is available for high-risk patients that may prevent their illness from getting worse. There are two classes of COVID-19 therapeutics: monoclonal antibody therapy and oral antiviral medications.

Patients can use the COVID-19 Treatment Locator to find a monoclonal antibody administration site near them OR a pharmacy near them that carries antiviral medication. The Locator Tool provides locations that may have COVID-19 treatments.

Not all sites will have appointment availability or treatments available. Supply of the products is limited. Provider prescription is required for monoclonal antibodies, pre-exposure prophylaxis , and oral antiviral pills. Many administration sites listed on the locator require a physician referral and an appointment.

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What If I’m Fully Vaccinated

According to the CDC, if you are fully vaccinated and exposed to someone with COVID, you do not need to quarantine unless you have symptoms.

However, the CDC states that fully vaccinated people who were in close contact with a person who has COVID should get tested 5-7 days after their exposure, even if they dont have symptoms, and wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days following exposure or until their test result is negative.

Isolation is when you avoid other people because you might have been exposed to someone with COVID but you are not sure, and you are not sure if you could be sick.

While you are isolating, the CDC recommends that you:

• Monitor your symptoms
• Stay in a separate room from other people who live in your home
• Use a separate bathroom, if possible
• Avoid contact with others in your home, including your pets
• Do not share personal items, such as cups, towels, and utensils
• Wear a mask if you have to be around other people

Stay Home Except To Get Medical Care

• Avoid all public areas.

• If possible, take steps to improve ventilation at home.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, going to the bathroom, and before eating or preparing food. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw used tissues in a lined trash can. Wash your hands right after.
• Your local health department can assist you with making sure that your basic needs are being met while you are isolating.
• Once you recover, make sure you are up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines, including getting vaccinated and boosted when you are eligible.

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What If You Test Positive Using An At

Those who test positive using an at-home test are asked to follow the latest CDC guidelines and communicate the results to their healthcare provider, who is responsible for reporting test results to the state health department.

Health experts say people should assume the test results are accurate and should isolate from others to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.

How Can I Help Prevent The Flu In My Child

The best way to prevent flu is to have the yearly flu vaccine. The flu vaccine is given as a shot . A nasal spray is not recommended for the 2017-2018 flu season. The CDC says this is because the nasal spray did not seem to protect against the flu over the last several flu seasons.

Each year, a new flu vaccine is available before the start of the flu season. Talk with your healthcare provider if you have questions about how vaccines work and how well they prevent flu. The first time a child between the ages of 6 months and 8 years gets a flu vaccine, he or she will need a second flu vaccine one month later.

The vaccine is advised for all children 6 months and older. But for some children, its more critical for them to get a flu shot. The flu shot should be given to any child who has any of these:

• A long-term heart or lung condition

• An endocrine disorder such as diabetes

• A kidney or liver disorder

• Weak immune system from HIV/AIDS or long-term steroids

• A blood disorder such as sickle cell disease

A flu shot should also be given to:

• A child who has a family member with a chronic health condition

• A child or teen taking aspirin as long-term therapy

• A child with parents or caregivers at high risk of complications from the flu

Some side effects of the vaccine can be like mild flu symptoms, but the vaccine does not cause the flu. Possible side effects of the flu vaccine include:

And you can help prevent your child spreading the flu to others if you:

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