I’m negative for antibodies and have allergies so I’m usually clogged and it’s hard to use congestion as a warning sign of covid. What other signs are there? Do you regularly get tested? And how often? I’ve been told I can get monoclonal antibodies which will work if I come in early but am afraid I will miss the signs.
Recognizing the delta variant and testing - CLL Support
Recognizing the delta variant and testing
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Atds
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I have linked below a list of covid symptoms. They are so similar to symptoms for colds, flus and some sinus infections that one needs a covid test to be sure.
Knowing when to test is not easy, I would say for peoplle with cll , if in doubt, get the test. Early treatment with monoclonal antibodies is of critical importance. The hallmark symptom that seems most unique to covid is loss of taste and smell. You might keep a thermometer handy, if you have fever that would distinguish it from allergies.
People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
NewdawnAdministrator
I think if in doubt, regular lateral flow (antigen) tests could be done. I had to do one this morning due to cold symptoms and unfortunately the Delta variant seems to have changed side effects somewhat to cold like symptoms. Gastrointestinal symptoms have also been thrown into the mix along with eye discomfort.
I’m not sure which country you’re from but sounds like the USA if monoclonal antibodies would be readily available to you. It’s not so in the U.K. We are given free lateral flow tests to use at home and whilst they’re not as sensitive and accurate as a PCR test, they generally will give a positive result if symptoms are present.
It’s a concern but if in doubt, test.
Newdawn
I'm with newdawn here on the use of home testing. In the UK they are freely available and personally I test every Sunday morning, prior to visiting my elderly and vulnerable mother in law. It's true the symptoms have changed, depending on your vaccine status but since you've no antibodies who can say what you might expect. I had a cold lately but it never developed into anything concerning but did hang around the guts of 2 weeks. I didn't suspect covid but did a pcr test anyway, not supposed to use the LFTs if you've symptoms. It is a tricky one but regular testing by those around us is beneficial too. My wife is NHS and is tested there weekly, my 21 yo son does a weekly test as well. Both healthy and vaccinated so a chance they could have asymptomatic infection and I do appreciate the protection this gives me, or the peace of mind. I guess watch for worsening and changing symptoms. I've been told if I pick anything up the first sign of a worsening, getting down into the chest or a fever to contact the GP right away. Best of luck, we all need that!
I’m not sure why we shouldn’t use lateral flow tests when there are symptoms belfastbees particularly when the accuracy seems greater when the viral load is higher.
‘In people who did not have COVID‐19, antigen tests correctly ruled out infection in 99.5% of people with COVID-19-like symptoms and 98.9% of people without symptoms.’
Taken from the link;
pharmaceutical-journal.com/...
I’m carefully watching any signs of progression because having had pneumonia very badly, it’s not only Covid that’s a serious risk to us CLL’ers ☹️
Newdawn
I agree but I'm just following orders 😊. It does say not to use if you have symptoms but as you say still a valid test. Perhaps the PCR test is more sensitive and less likely to give a false negative but as you say if you've symptoms of something there's plenty of virus to find if it's there. There are a lot of bugs around but best of luck beating this one hands down.
Belfastbees, as you say, you're just following orders, but it doesn't sound very logical. If we have symptoms, surely the lateral flow test is the quick and easy thing we can do at home, rather than have to go somewhere for a PCR test and risk infecting others at the same time.
I understand that the PCR is more accurate, yet it's much more of a hassle to get done, and it's not instant like the LFT.
Paula
I was being flippant in the just following orders. The guidance within the pack does however state it is to be used for asymptomatic routine testing, and guidance elsewhere advises to get a PCR test if you have symptoms. I must conclude there is a scientific reason for that but I am not certain. As regards testing and spreading you can get a PCR test completed safely with minimal risk to others. Given the numbers testing I'm sure some people, on their way to test, find themselves in a breakdown or accident of some kind and of course that increases the risk to others markedly. 🤔
Just wondering, could it be because results from PCR tests are recorded for national statistics? LFTs are private and people don't have to report them.
Paula
The LF test is highly specific, but not highly sensitive. It's much better at confirming you don't have the virus than it is at confirming you do. So if you get a negative result you can't be very confident your symptoms are caused by something other than Covid. (Having said that, when disease prevalence falls from ca 1% now to ca 0.01 %, as it was before the 3rd wave, the likelihood your negative result is wrong becomes negligible).
If I developed symptoms now, I would order a PCR test ASAP and repeat the LF test daily until I got the PCR result, meanwhile staying quarantined and keeping an eye on thermometer and oximeter, with a bag packed just in case.
Which is what I’ve done but I think it’s important not to get too alarmist about this. My temp is consistently just below 36 (normal for me), oxygen averaging 98 and pulse predictably a little raised. No loss of taste or smell and symptoms consistent with a very bad cold and upper respiratory infection. I always have a bag packed but am hoping to feel better in the morning.
Newdawn
Hope you feel better today Newdawn. There must be something going around just now that's outpacing Delta. A bug hit me from nowhere yesterday and sent me to bed for 2 hours. Still feeling a bit off but normal temp & sats and negative LF test (I may have caught it from my son who had similar after spending the weekend here, though will have caught his earlier in London). Not good timing, tomorrow we're off to Wales for a week. Test kits are coming with.
I haven’t had a cold for over 2 yrs and this one has hit hard. However, I’m hearing of a lot of cold now since the great unmasking. I predict a hard winter of flu because we no longer have the protections of last year.I’m feeling really rough but a bit better than yesterday. Sats are normal (99 this morning) and temp still low. No loss of taste or smell.
Unfortunately all celebrations have had to be cancelled and it’s my son’s birthday today and our wedding anniversary. I feel gutted about that ☹️
Hope you have a good week and don’t come down with anything.
Newdawn
Oh dear, terrible timing. I feel for you.
Best we get our flu jabs this autumn as well as the Covid booster. They will be too late for the family wedding in 4 weeks time, so defensive measures will be needed, even when the alcohol is flowing.
I'm so sorry you had to cancel all the celebrations yesterday, Newdawn. ☹️ Not surprised you feel gutted.
I hope your son understood and you can plan something else for him instead.
Wishing you a speedy recovery from that rotten cold.
Paula x
Runny nose, sore throat, fever. These are the most common signs of delta.
In the UK I think a problem is that the new cold like symptoms of Delta aren't recognised by the Govt as reasons to get a PCR test, as they are sticking to the fever/cough/ taste and smell symptoms of earlier variants. So you might have symptoms of Delta (headache, runny nose etc) and be unable to get a PCR test. LFTs are less accurate, but better than nothing.
My husband has CLL, is vaccinated & was just diagnosed with COVID. His started One day with a fever & chills, sleep all day. Next day, fever & chills but sleep 1/2 day. Day 3 he was tested & diagnosed by then it was just congestion. On day 4 now, congested & coughing but otherwise he feels fine. Like a bad summer cold which we honestly thought he had.
Good to know. Hope his symptoms remain relatively mild.
This is for Jenileigh : If you haven't done so already you should tell his oncologist and they should decide if he should get a monoclonal antibody cocktail. Dr. Brian just posted about checklist if you are diagnosed. Might sound over the top but it is good to think through what you would do if symptoms get worse. Would be helpful to use one of those inexpensive oxygen saturation monitors.
Several people on this site have had mild cases and sounds like your husband should have a mild case, too
Good idea. I do check him twice a day with the oxygen monitor. Want to try & stay a step ahead if I can
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