I have not felt sick like that since the last time I had the flu in 1970

Everyone's immune system is compromised a bit from the last few years of lock down.

I think taking a home Covid test if you have "flu-like" symptoms is a good idea. If you find that you have Covid, then hie thee to your doctor for one of the anti-virals.

Why? Because there is clearly such a thing as "long Covid", even if we are only starting to learn more about it since Covid is a new thing. Whereas flu is not a new thing and there is clearly not such a thing as "long flu". Thus I think it is a good idea to know if you have Covid or flu, and treat Covid more actively.

In my second post, I said I took a home Covid test.

My symptoms are about the same. Still very achy and weak... worse at times during any 24 hr. period.

Still getting lots of sleep. No problems sleeping or falling asleep. I don't have any of the symptoms of adenovirus (something a poster on another board mentioned I should get a test for). Seeing my internist today.

I looked at my vax card and saw that my last booster was 10/6.... quite a ways back at almost 4 months.

So we're back to

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1675842489.jpg

Is that a guess or is it a known thing? I guess it’s possible that our immune systems need to stay sharp via normal interactions, and since many people had nearly a year of relative isolation, their immune system has lost a step?

There has to be something going on… too many people I know are absolutely on their a$$ with cold symptoms like the OP. I don’t recall anything like it,

A quick google would help, but basically covid has weakend many people's immune systems, and so colds/flus are hitting even harder.

I know, I was just saying I thought that was a good idea.

The home tests (antigen) are iffy at detecting Covid in the first couple/few days of an infection. It might be worth taking another one - they are cheap after all.

While this is possible, there are several things that are more likely.

People have been locked down for several years. Lack or exposure to anything for that long is going to compromise your immune response.

It is starting to look like the mRNA therapies that are all the rage now can adversely effect your immune response. Examination of this began at least a year ago. From what I have read, the idea is that you are making spike protein, subsequently making antibodies to the spike protein. Serial jabbing means your body is devoting its resources to spike antibodies, rather than antibodies to whatever you encounter in the environment. This leaves you more vulnerable to other agents.

It's just old age.
It gets worse.

Long Covid blows! I am more affected by air pollution after Covid and it is debilitating. When we get bad air here, I have a hard time breathing and my heart is pounding. I need to use a rescue inhaler all the time. Then of course, stamina is down. I get tired walking long distances. Good air, no problem. Bad air? I should close up the house and run ac. However, the dogs like to go in and out as they please, so I leave the door open.
When it gets real bad, I leave them at home and go to my condo and stay in my hermetically sealed abode. lol

I think the common cold is pissed off that COVID stole the limelight, and weaponized itself.
My plague rats..I mean my lovely children brought home a "cold" that hit me 3x more than Covid ever did (3 months ago). Zero energy, a cough that hurts all muscles of throat chest and shoulders, unreal for a cold... I retested 3x but nope it's not covid nor a flu (no fever). Just a pissed off cold !
the planet is out to get us !

Same symptoms as OP.
Came home from a trip yesterday - felt pretty wiped out. Didn't think much of it, as I had a hard time getting to sleep monday and tuesday nights. Took a long nap. Slept hard last night. Woke up feeling achy.
Took a Covid test - and yep. Positive.
My son has been sounding nasal and congested, coughing for the last couple weeks. He tested about a week ago, and was negative.
I'm up to date on vaccinations and boosters - and probably close to needing another (or I was - until this week....)

Starting to feel better, but it sucks.
Going to go batty sticking around the house.

Oh, and I'm 52. Called my MD. They won't prescribe unless youre 65+ and/or have something serious. And they need you to have a recent liver panel.
So it's rest and liquids, etc....

Good luck, and let's all stay safe out there!

Hope everybody feels better.

What’s the status of Covid shots? Is it still two shots and two boosters?

I lost count, but I think it is three boosters.

You want to get the current booster, for Omicron. Also called bi-valent. Came out late last year, I think I had mine in Oct or Nov? (Too lazy to check vax card.)

After that, it’s likely to be an annual booster, revised for the then-current strain. Basically like the annual flu shot. There may be combined shots (flu + Covid) available for those who wish.

That assumes no dramatic new variant emerges. Which may or may not be a good assumption. Covid is still mutating very actively and significantly, it is only three years old in humans after all. The last series of mutations have enhanced immune evasion and transmissibility, rather than virulence (how sick you get), which is fortunate but basically us getting lucky. China supposedly just had nearly a billion cases in three months (CCCP is lying but that’s what it claims), plenty of mutation opportunities.

I tested positive for Covid about a month ago, so I’m thinking that was the latest variant. So I’m protected! I meant to ask the pharmacist the other day when I went there to pick up some meds. Maybe next week when I go grocery shopping.

At this point, it doesn’t really matter how many have gone down the pike, you just get the latest one and you’re good to go. :)

i definitely wear a mask while in the drug store. why? cuz that's where sick folks congregate.
only had one jerk-off (so far) wanting to discuss the mask. i ignored him.

I had the J&J single shot the first day I was allowed in Ohio. Then a Phizer booster say later 2021 then a 2nd Pfizer booster 2022 Christmas time.

The person giving me the 2nd booster at the drug store said the second Pfizer booster was the same as the first.

I'm not sure this sounds right. I would think it would have contained more goodies than the first.

Speeder, do you know? I'm aware I can call the drug store but I'm making the big push to get to 20,000 posts so I can get into the lucrative 20k+ tier of post remuneration.

Doc couldn't work me in Wed., so I saw him Thurs. afternoon. Administered another Covid test and a flu test. Both negative. Drew blood and sent me to another floor for an X-ray. Told me he would call me when he received some results... 24-48 hrs.

Was hoping to hear something Fri., but no luck. Probably Mon.

Feeling slightly better at different times during any given 24 hr. period... rest of the time about the same. Still seems to get a little worse as night comes on. Still getting lots of sleep.