Do I assume correctly that if someone presents at a hospital...

[LAS14]

(or Doctor's office) with Corona virus symptoms (exactly like flue symptoms) that they will be tested for the flu? For which we have lots of testing kits, I assume?????

Any medical professionals around on DU to confirm or deny this assumption???

tia
las

[bern2020]

1. no unfortunately

there is no country that tests just on the basis of upper respiratory tract infection, which is very common as a flu symptom.

and then there is the question of whether insurance covers the cost of the test

[LAS14]

2. Then what is the trigger for a flu test? Presumably that would happen before...

...using the mutch scarcer Corona test?

tia
las

[hlthe2b]

4. See below. Flu testing is pretty routine--certainly in EDs (ERs)

[hlthe2b]

5. She was asking if they would be tested for influenza and yes, certainly they would in ERs throughout

the country. I include the criteria (changes effective yesterday) for Coronavirus testing downstream

[bern2020]

6. sorry

read the OP completely wrong

[hlthe2b]

7. yes.. I thought you'd just misread...

[hlthe2b]

3. You asked if they would be screened for flu--yes, likely. For Coronavirus, only if they fit criteria

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/clinical-criteria.html

As you can see, in the absence of close exposure from travel to one of the majorly affected countries or to a person with confirmed COVID-19, one has to show evidence of pretty severe LOWER Respiratory disease-- as opposed to the common upper respiratory symptoms of colds and flu. Thus, the flu testing.

[LAS14]

8. Thank you!!!! I've been looking for physical symptom differences...

... between flue and COVID-19 for days. You're the first one to identify differences.

[hlthe2b]

9. That is a general distinction. COVID-19 can also be milder so presumedly those with neg flu tests

and persistent illness MAY eventually get screened (for COVID-19) -- certainly if they progress to pneumonia-like disease-- WHEN testing becomes much more available.

[blueinredohio]

10. Maybe a dumb question but what's the difference in upper and lower respiratory symptoms?

[hlthe2b]

11. Upper respiratory means nose and throat, tonsils and pharynx (area between mouth, nose, and throat)

with symptoms including many or all of the following: nasal congestion, runny nose, nasal discharge, sore or scratchy throat, cough, fever.

Lower respiratory disease means lung involvement and may include fever, a more productive cough (with phlegm), difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, chest tightness or pain, wheezing, or even cyanosis (blue tint to the skin). These are symptoms that can suggest bacterial or viral pneumonia or other types of lung disease with secondary infection.

[blueinredohio]

12. Thanks so much. You learn something new every day.

[2naSalit]

13. Thanks!

That's the most detailed description I've heard so far. It helps to have an idea as to what symptoms to be aware of. If I had the current viral malady, I would surely be going to the ER.

[Totally Tunsie]

14. If you're thinking you'd head to the ER, kindly give them

a "heads up" so that they can prepare to take you in without infecting the staff! I'm sure they'd appreciate it.

We need an "ah-choo" emoji.

[2naSalit]

15. I would...

some of my friends work there but I would be careful about infecting others. And of the few times I've been, I call ahead.

[Totally Tunsie]

16. That's a good thing (at the risk of sounding like Martha Stewart).

[2naSalit]

17. Some people might not think of doing that.

I think that would not be a pleasant surprise for the staff and everyone else.

[hlthe2b]

18. You are most welcome!

[irisblue]

23. This is a well done description. Well Done

[USALiberal]

19. But that means some with Corona, just not severe, are not tested and sent home, correct? nt

[hlthe2b]

20. Mild disease, it is possible, but they will be told to self-isolate & to report continued/worsening

symptoms. While persons with likely flu should also be told to go home and self isolate, there is a lot of effort to reinforce this right now. ERs are getting up to date messaging from their own State Health Departments and CDC and hopefully from within their own infectious control programs and specialists. Local and state public health epidemiologists and their staff should be following some or most of these patients during their home isolation--at least by phone-- and I suspect are doing a very good job at this. But remember the administrations cuts to CDC budgets include cuts to pass-through funds at the local level. Public health resources are not today what they were during the last (pandemic flu, H5N1) response and we are facing the consequences.


You will hear the best tv Public Health Infectious disease experts commenting that the administration focused so much on containment that while important, quickly was shown globally to be unrealistic in the long term (resources spent to close down air traffic and barring entry so broadly as to be resource-wasting) that we are now caught flat-footed in terms of mitigation (limiting spread, for which more resources dedicated toward getting testing out to every state lab and ultimately major medical centers--and more)--is critically important).

[USALiberal]

21. Thanks for the great info!! nt

[hlthe2b]

22. I added a bit more commentary that I would wish more people would realize. Very welcome!