Anyone had American Covid yet?

[Slightyamusedandsilly]

Or more precisely the XFG variant / the Stratus strain.

I've heard it's nastier than the dumbed down covid I've had the last couple of times.

You were doing farts which lasted more than two minutes??! You must've looked like Flat Stanley afterwards.

I've been reading about this. The majority of the population hasn't had any kind of covid vaccine for years now and is more susceptible. I still get a vaccine twice a year due to immune suppression but this strain sounds nasty. I was very ill and hospitalised with covid in 2021 before the more benign Omicron strain took over.

I’m amazed reading this thread, I can’t approach the 2-minute record but I similarly had some unprecedented experiences in that department. I’m starting to think I must have (had) the same bug!

Still testing in hospital for symptomatic patients, covers various viruses including covid flu and RSV. Extended testing can cover other ‘cold’ type viruses which can cause issues for some. Even a cold can be shit and cause issues. Covid can still cause horrid illness in some and make others feel crap.

Dh had go to the doc today to get a sick note and they said its probably American covid. I had it before him, it was rough. Kids have had milder versions.

1.52 to be precise as I was so alarmed at one point I set the stopwatch for the next one. I've spoken to my doctor and I'm now on a course of medication so hopefully back to normal service shortly

If I start coming down with something and am due to see DF, it's very useful to know if it's COVID or not because he had a bloody stroke the last time he had it so is understandably keen not to get it again.

My thoughts exactly. Do people need to put a name to the fact they have what used to just be called a cold, or a bad cold, or rarely, flu?

What possible difference does it make in 2026 if it’s covid? It’s no longer a thing. People on MN need to get over it.

I get that. My post should make that clear. Act accordingly, stay at home, don’t pass it on, but why the need to prove it’s Covid?

Fair enough, I see that, but surely you’d stay away with any cold/flu type illness?

I wouldn't know because - obviously - I wouldn't test for it. There is no point (and never was).

I think I have it at the moment as my main symptom is a really scratchy throat. With previous strains my first symptom was always a really bad headache.

I'm eating jelly and feeling sorry for myself.

"There is no point (and never was)"

For you maybe. Loads of people do need to test. I am one of them. I need to receive an antiviral when I test positive or it could end up fatal.

Someone else has noted their relative has previously had a stroke due to covid. No doubt they will be closely monitored if testing positive.

Just a few of the many many examples of why people still need to test.

Your post is giving me 'conspiracy theorist' vibes.

Yes, I felt awful, sore throat and very thirsty and fatigued.
But it was short-lived … I was very ill for two days then improved rapidly over the next three days.
My entire household had it.

Only a fool calls covid or the flu a cold virus surely?

I’ve been pretty unwell this week but I thought it was the flu. I feel better now so I think it’s actually too short to be the flu.

I did my normal routine and ate a load of oranges and zinc tabs and I’m already feeling better so I don’t know if it was just a really really bad cold.

I'm on day 12 so far. The fatigue is something else.

It makes a difference if you are immunosuppressed or immuno compromised or work or live with people who are. It means you, or they, can receive the correct anti virals so you (or they) don't die.

Is that simple enough for you or shall I draw pictures?

Same.

This is the worst covid since the original one. Worse in some ways in that I’ve been coughing up continuously for the past 5 days. Congestion pouring out of me on top of sore throat, fever, aching joints and yes the gut issues.

So I can also relate @ShakyBake and wondered what the hell was happening. Until I read it was another symptom of American Covid. And I had the vivid weird nightmares @Gatekeeper that worried me.

Its a really dreadful one.

The ignorance, after all the years of research and information, is staggering.

I test so I can receive IV antivirals so that I don’t die. HTH.

So that’s what is making me feel so ill

Do you have to buy the tests or can you get them on prescription?

I get them from the pharmacy I get my usual meds from. They know which meds I’m on so issue them free of charge. I’ve asked in Boots before and they required proof of which drugs cause immunosupression or a letter from a GP to confirm which condition you have.

Thanks. I might ask if I can get them from the GP pharmacy.