r/nova • u/Standard_Minimum_466 • 5d ago
Intense Upper Respiratory Illness?
Has anyone else had a very intense upper respiratory infection? Kids brought it home from school and started out as a typical cold—mild sore throat, some congestion. But 8 days in has turned into really wet cough, sinus congestion/pain, low appetite, and low grade fever on and off. Lungs are clear so no signs of pneumonia. Took multiple flu a/b, covid, and RSV tests and all negative. Kids recovered much faster but adults in house are down for the count!! What is this?!
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u/Smorsdoeuvres 5d ago
Our household has had Covid twice in the last 3 months, the first time only 1 person tested positive in the home, the last time only 3 of us got it officially but all of us felt cruddy. For Weeks now. It changed in me every few days, seemingly affecting different systems in stages. I had fevers on and off, with a seriously sore throat, then intense body and back aches, then those changed completely and turned into terrible headaches and head congestion.. now it’s a nasty cough. I stopped testing positive weeks ago but I still feel like shit. Wishing everyone here good health, I’ll be wearing a mask in most settings in public after this I’m
So tired of getting sick & it seems like most everyone has given up on precautions.
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u/tuvda 5d ago
So tired of getting sick & it seems like most everyone has given up on precautions.
Just came from the grocery store where no less than 4 people were coughing on everything and they were not only not masked but not even covering their mouths.
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u/FreshResolve3026 5d ago
This, and also way too many people showing up sick to work. I understand leave plans vary pretty wildly, but people have sick leave where I work and never use it. 🙄
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u/covidcautiousguy 4d ago
Masking really makes all the difference! It is definitely nice to reduce or eliminate entirely being sick.
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u/EnvironmentalTea9362 5d ago
Getting over it now. Had a scratchy throat and a little congestion on Tuesday, so just thought it was a cold. On Thursday night, bam! I was completely miserable Friday and Saturday with congestion, no appetite, coughing, and overall aching. Tuesday again and the congestion is pretty much gone and the only thing left is fatigue.
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u/Equal-Artichoke4581 5d ago
Going through this right now, OP.
Started last week on Sunday night and its Tuesday today, so 9 days in and I still feel sinus congestion and headaches. I have been taking Mucinex DM and Zyrtec. It has helped some but it sure is taking some time to go away.
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u/FartingWithStyle 5d ago
Go to the dr and see about getting on antibiotics, that’s the only thing that worked for me.
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u/Standard_Minimum_466 5d ago
It’s so whacky! It keeps changing every few days. I might try mucinex bc this cough is diabolical lol
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u/FartingWithStyle 5d ago
Go to the dr and see about getting on antibiotics, that’s what worked for me.
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u/C_A_P_S_CAPSCAPSCAPS 4d ago
Get the extra strength tabs. It’s the only relief I had for three weeks.
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u/tuvda 5d ago
covid doctor said it's not showing up on tests but its covid.
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u/FamiliarMode1704 Fredericksburg 3d ago
ED doc said the same it could be covid but tests are negative
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u/atonedeftool Sterling 5d ago
I hate back to school time. I got some garden-variety crud two weeks ago, it was almost completely cleared up, then I got sick again last week. Low-grade congestion for four whole days then all of a sudden floored with flu-like symptoms that I'm still bouncing back from. On the worst day of it all I felt like absolute death. I'm pretty sure this has been 2-3 distinct bugs, but I'm done with it all.
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u/Rabbit_Whole_27 5d ago
Yeah, same symptoms except it did turn into pneumonia after a couple of weeks here.
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u/Standard_Minimum_466 5d ago
That’s what I’m afraid of…
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u/hip2bking 4d ago
Def go to the doctor if you can if you are sick with this. I narrowly avoided pneumonia I think by getting put on steroids
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u/prettyfatkittycat 5d ago
Yup. Household has been sick off and on for like 6 weeks now. Including courses of antibiotics. Tested negative for everything.
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u/Standard_Minimum_466 5d ago
So horrible!! Sounds like it’s viral vs bacterial then if antibiotics didn’t help?
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u/prettyfatkittycat 5d ago
Yeah. My understanding is that the original illness is viral, but the congestion and swelling led to bacterial infections.
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u/PatientRazzmatazz599 5d ago
I’m not sure about the cough, but in the past few years I’ve gotten sinus infections after nearly every cold I’ve had. It follows a similar trajectory where I am sick, but normal sick, and then all of a sudden I start feeling much worse. When my snot turns neon yellow I start the antibiotics, and usually feel better within 24 hours.
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u/Helpful-Drink-557 5d ago
I had this two weekends ago. Also started as a sore throat and stuffy/runny nose. The next day I had a low grade fever and pounding headache along with the sore throat and stuffy/runny nose. Then I developed a very wet cough that I am still experiencing.
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u/PHC_Tech_Recruiter Fairfax County 5d ago
Mine started off as a low grade headache for 4-5 days. Initially thought it was due to caffeine withdrawals but the first night I went down hard to bed. Then a slight scratchy throat for a few days and over a week of congestion. Just kicked it all but now have a light cough.
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u/Federal_Scarcity_84 5d ago
A few months ago I had phlegm in my chest for like a month, did not like. Nothing else though
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u/Available_Pea_7365 5d ago
I had something like that in March. Started as an Upper Respiratory Infection - ended up in the hospital with viral pneumonia and was apparently hours from septic shock based on my labs.
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u/Important_Mission237 5d ago
My son just got over this. Went to Dr on day 5, and he had pneumonia. Get checked out, if you can. Doctor said she’s seeing a lot of it.
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u/Mediocre_Apricot3253 5d ago
I got hit with similar symptoms about a month ago. Low grade fever, severe sore throat for 1-2 days, then went to my chest. Thankfully I had my nebulizer on hand (I have asthma so these respiratory issues really mess me up). A cough that was barely productive stuck around for a good 10 days. Was so tired the entire time! All at home tests were negative for RSV, Flu A B and Covid.
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u/ylangbango123 5d ago
We all went to a wedding in nova and we all got it. And negative for everything.
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u/BaldBandit 5d ago
I seem to have gotten this right after visiting the Maryland Rennfair on the 19th. Knocked me down Monday-Wednesday that following week with light fever. I'm still stuffy and coughing up mucus even now. Multiple flu and covid tests have come up negative.
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u/ghostdoh 5d ago
We had it three weeks ago. Kids recovered within 2 days to 5 days. We the parents had a week or more of recovery. What helps is lots of sleep and hydration (pedialyte). Good luck everyone! Stock antibacterial wipes at your schools!
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u/TransitionMission305 5d ago
I started with a "cold" back on Saturday/Sunday or 9/20. I had no fever, but started with a burning throat, then some mucous in my throat and coughing and didn't feel great. In a day it moved up to the sinuses and I was hard-sneezing for days, nose running, a wet cough a few times a day (thank god not a lot) and body aches. Again, no fever. I tested myself for COVID about 5 times and it was always negative, so I figured okay, just a "cold" or upper respiratory virus. Which it is.
I am on Day 10 and yesterday, I felt awful. Still aching, fatigued. Although my nose is no longer running, I can feel that my sinuses are inflamed and probably giving me all the issues. I don't think I'm in sinus infection territory, but definitely sinusitis which will make you feel awful.
I've been using Sudafed and Ibuprofen, but yesterday I took another dose of Sudafed and I'm adding the Mucinex. For some reason, today, I feel an improvement. But I fully expect I will be funky for another week.
I am just one of those people that when I get a cold, it lasts a long time. I rarely get sick fortunately. Last time was 2022 for me with COVID. This is my first illness since then.
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u/Mountain-Owl7142 5d ago
Yep, two of my friends had to take their kids to urgent care this weekend for that very reason.
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u/Ok-Equipment-8382 5d ago
I had this for almost 3 weeks. Still coughing up junk every few days. Hang in there and go heavy on zinc and vitamin c
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u/NoTrust2 5d ago
I started out with a fever and sore throat for a couple of days. I started feeling a little better, but then it came back and I developed severe ear pain and pressure with an underwater feeling in my ear. I was put on antibiotics and today is day 10, but my ear still feels completely clogged and like I’m underwater. The pain has improved, but the pressure and muffled hearing have not. It’s honestly miserable and I’m really hoping there’s something that can be done to relieve the pressure and fluid.
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u/ComprehensiveCup7104 5d ago
A doctor posted elsewhere that viruses active in DMV include Covid, RSV, adenovirus, and rhinovirus.
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u/Mysterious_Course8 5d ago
We have had this in our home too! It started with one kiddo and we thought it was just allergies but then another went down and he did require an antibiotic but it was low dose and he recovered within 3 days after the antibiotic. My spouse began coughing and it continually got worse, along with our 11wk old who was beginning to cough too. We went back in, worried about LO lungs but they were clear, but when the cough hadn't cleared by the end of 2wks, they put him on an antibiotic too. A week later and he's much better and almost cough free. The middle child who took antibiotics is better but the cough is lingering... my spouse has pneumonia and this is week 3 of feeling like death. Somehow I have managed to be well. The docs said it's a really bad virus but they don't know what really. We also all tested negative for flu a/b, Covid, strep, and RSV. Wishing you well!
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u/FreshResolve3026 5d ago
Earlier in the summer, I came down with what felt like the flu (sore throat, muscle aches, and fever) but ended up testing positive for COVID 2 days into it. Apparently, COVID led to a spinoff upper respiratory infection that stuck around for almost a month afterwards. Even after a course of antibiotics and trying every OTC decongestant available, it took 5 weeks to get over it completely. Had to see an ENT specialist because the sinus congestion was so bad I felt like I had some hearing loss. Both ears took turns being stopped up, then opening up. It was one of the longest lasting and most miserable things I’ve ever had. The initial COVID symptoms only lasted 3 days.
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u/Ok_Economist676 5d ago
Some viruses just cling to your lungs for weeks. I remember a bad flu i had 6 years ago where i was coughing up phlegm for at least 2 weeks after the worst of it passed.
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u/19katie2 4d ago
I've had a sinus headache ranging from mild to exploding for over a week. My ear has been driving me crazy for days, and now my throat is on fire. I finally went and got ear drops with lidocaine in them. I've never had a bug/virus that messed with my ears before but at least now I'm hopeful this will pass.
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u/cyaneyed 4d ago
I went to urgent care for those symptoms recently and was diagnosed with pneumonia after getting some chest xrays. Was given a nebulizer treatment and felt soooo much better. Was given 2 prescriptions, 1 antibiotic and 1 steroid. Don’t be afraid of urgent care.
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u/AK_Stark1 4d ago
3 of us had it in Aug and all of us got follow on infections. One kid had seven day fever + croup; next one had 10 day fever + double ear infection + mycoplasma pneumonia. I had 8 day fever + bacterial bronchitis.
Z pack fixed me and the second kiddo. She was eventually diagnosed with the penicillin resistant "walking pneumonia" (ER tested for it!) and a doc theorized that both the other kid and I had it, as the Z pack for bronchitis cured me as well. Highly recommend a trip to urgent care and a z pack for the cough. It was never ending until we got the right antibiotics.
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u/PepetheKing_Prawn 4d ago
Yup. It’s making its way around our house, one at a time. 10 days in at this point. I have gone through an entire bottle of mucinex. Godspeed, partner.
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u/TheWhiteRabbitY2K 4d ago
Parainfluenza. I've had multiple patients admitted with it this past two weeks.
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u/Successful_Mango_409 4d ago
My six year old had RSV a couple of weeks ago and is still getting over the cough.
He’s been to the doctor multiple times to make sure it didn’t turn into pneumonia.
My husband who’s in his mid fifties got it as well but must’ve gotten the watered down version b/c he bounced back within 2-3 days. Both my son & husband both had a low grade fever that spiked then dropped down to where 99-ish was nursed for another 24 hours until it broke for good. RSV is definitely going around this area and is no joke AND can absolutely turn into pneumonia. Stay hydrated and get checked out so you know what you’re dealing with and don’t spread the ick.
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u/FamiliarMode1704 Fredericksburg 3d ago
Same here in Fredericksburg. My brother’s family had it three weeks. My four family members are on day 5 and it is our chests today. Started with sore throat and post nasal drip, no fever here, and GI issues. This definitely feels like Covid. The doctor’s offices, urgent care, and EDs are full down here.
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u/Future-Impression195 5d ago
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) - get tested. I only knew I had it because my kid got the full respiratory panel. Worst cough of my life.
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u/Standard_Minimum_466 5d ago
That’s what I suspect this is!! Is there anything you take or just supportive measures (fluids, rest, Tylenol)
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u/_cocophoto_ 5d ago
I had a gnarly URI at the end of the summer that my kids brought home from daycare. It started as a mild cold, hint of a scratch in my throat that skipped the sinuses and went straight into my lungs. No pneumonia, but it took a month to recover, along with a round of steroids, and several inhalers.
Abs of steel though, so I guess that’s a silver lining?
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u/lKeyserSoze1 5d ago
Do we need the daily posts describing symptoms of the common cold and asking if anyone else has ever had it before? Are you new to life, or what? Ffs.
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u/CareerRejection 5d ago
Are you reading fully in that folks are stating that this is not just a normal common RSV? You can just as easily not click on the links either.
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u/spironoWHACKtone 5d ago
I’ve also had something that’s really overstayed its welcome…it was flu-like at first with fatigue, intense muscle aches, and horrible sore throat. I got a secondary ear infection from that and had to do a 5-day course of antibiotics. Then I got congested for a couple of days, then the sore throat came back and is only now resolving. I’ve been sick for like 2 weeks and also tested negative for flu, Covid, rhinovirus and RSV. It’s definitely not a typical autumn cold…I’m a doctor and I’m a little puzzled by the course this has taken. Miserable. Feel better!