How long does whatever is going around last?

[lovinmyboys]

Ds12 has been sick for 8 days and doesn’t seem to be getting better. He isn’t dangerously sick- just congestion and a pretty bad (but productive) cough and sore throat. He is pretty miserable and I would like to tell him he should feel better in x amount of days. I am very lucky, but I don’t think any of my kids have ever been stay-in-bed sick for over a week before. 

Edited December 12, 2022 by lovinmyboys

[Dmmetler]

It took M about 2 weeks, but they have a lot of underlying health issues. 

[HomeAgain]

Good luck.

DS12 usually takes about 2 weeks to get over a cold.  This winter is brutal for illness, so I'd anticipate that as a norm.  However, nurses are begging folks here to go to the doctor after a week of it not getting better to see if it's RSV.

[Kassia]

In my area, people are saying about a week but some are saying they felt better and then sick again.  Hope ds feels better soon.  Has he been seen to rule out any infection?

[Katy]

The general rule is if you’re sick for more than 10 days, you may have a secondary bacterial infection and need antibiotics. I usually wait 2-3 weeks unless symptoms are getting worse.

[lovinmyboys]

2 minutes ago, Kassia said:

In my area, people are saying about a week but some are saying they felt better and then sick again.  Hope ds feels better soon.  Has he been seen to rule out any infection?

Yes I should have mentioned I took him to the doctor on Friday and he tested positive for strep but it is pretty obvious he has something else going on too. The cough is his biggest complaint and I don’t think that is from strep. So he has now taken four days of antibiotics and I do think his throat hurts less, but otherwise no change. Maybe I should take him back in? But he isn’t getting worse so I think it just needs to run its course. 

Edited December 12, 2022 by lovinmyboys

[Grace Hopper]

F O R E V E R

I’m on day 15, I think. I’ve thought it  gone away a couple of times, only to have the cough and nasal congestion rebound. It’s at the not-incapacitating-but-annoying stage. Hoping it’s about run its course. 

Edited December 12, 2022 by Grace Hopper

[lovinmyboys]

Ok so it sounds like 8 days is on the short end 😕

 

[SquirrellyMama]

52 minutes ago, Kassia said:

In my area, people are saying about a week but some are saying they felt better and then sick again.  Hope ds feels better soon.  Has he been seen to rule out any infection?

This had been happening around here too. I've heard several people say their kids were sick, felt better, and then sick again. All it all it has taken about 2 weeks. And, it is mostly sore throat, phlgemy cough, and drippy nose. I just got over the ick, but mine was only 2 days which is really short for me. We'll see if I get that second wave.

[KSera]

18 minutes ago, SquirrellyMama said:

This had been happening around here too. I've heard several people say their kids were sick, felt better, and then sick again. All it all it has taken about 2 weeks. And, it is mostly sore throat, phlgemy cough, and drippy nose. I just got over the ick, but mine was only 2 days which is really short for me. We'll see if I get that second wave.

I'm hearing this, too. I was thinking it was the same illness for most of them, but reading an article the other day, some of the people who have gone in to get tested both rounds are finding it's two different illnesses, back to back 🤦‍♀️. Covid/RSV, RSV/flu, etc.

[Grace Hopper]

Just adding my COVID test was negative. I saw the doctor a few days ago and my lungs are clear, no sign of secondary infection. Some “cloudiness” in my ear and this recurrent congestion/cough. I talked with them today and was told to come back if it’s not resolved by early next week. 

[happi duck]

There seems to be something going around besides covid, RSV or flu.  The people I know who've had the other seem to be actively sick "worst cold ever" for two to three weeks followed by exhaustion.

[Ausmumof3]

If the kids have had prior covid their immune systems maybe potentially struggling more than previously.

we do find elderberry and zinc really good for shortening colds etc. DH had one that lingered for ages and he did a couple of days of green smoothies and really bounced back.

[desertflower]

My daughter’s friend was sick for about a week. Then it came back a week later - worse. She had to go on antibiotics. 
 

during this second round she was sick, her younger sister got sick.  She was sick with a horrible cough/congestion for at least 2 weeks. 
 

then their younger brother got sick. Was in the hospital with flu complications for five days. 
 

so, my best guess is two weeks.   
 

Hope he feels better. 

[OH_Homeschooler]

I think we're dealing with this. My child is 11, their symptoms started on 12/3. Never had a fever, sore throat comes and goes, and URI symptoms. Attempted urgent care last night but they were all booked up. The best I can hope for is a diagnosis anyway, since I'm sure it's viral and they won't be able to do anything. They did have 3 negative Covid tests last week.

[Starr]

Perhaps with so much going around one virus goes away and then folks are getting another instead of it being reoccurring. We are also hyper aware of illness compared to before covid when everyone trucked around with sore throats coughs and upper respiratory symptoms. Not that we should have.

[skimomma]

I'm on day 15 and I feel worse today than I have the entire time.  I have a huge and important presentation at work tomorrow and I am starting to freak out.  I can mask but the coughing fits can take me completely out for 5-10 minutes at a time.

[Kanin]

38 minutes ago, skimomma said:

I'm on day 15 and I feel worse today than I have the entire time.  I have a huge and important presentation at work tomorrow and I am starting to freak out.  I can mask but the coughing fits can take me completely out for 5-10 minutes at a time.

Oh, no. That's terrible! You just start to feel so worn down after 15 days of sickness. UGH!

[elegantlion]

A few weeks ago, I tested positive for the flu & also had pneumonia. Strep & Covid tests were negative. It took me 3 full weeks to feel better -but I have underlying immune & respiratory issues. SO had the flu and it took him about 2 1/2 to quit coughing and he has a robust immune system and rarely catches anything. So this is taking longer. 

I would be concerned if they're not getting better after 8 days of strep. 

[Brittany1116]

For the "not flu strep covid rsv" in our area, 10-17 days. 

[Grace Hopper]

14 minutes ago, elegantlion said:

A few weeks ago, I tested positive for the flu & also had pneumonia. Strep & Covid tests were negative. It took me 3 full weeks to feel better -but I have underlying immune & respiratory issues. SO had the flu and it took him about 2 1/2 to quit coughing and he has a robust immune system and rarely catches anything. So this is taking longer. 

I would be concerned if they're not getting better after 8 days of strep. 

I am wondering if what I had was the Flu B that’s going around now, and thanks to the vaccine it just played out like a bad head cold. Still have some congestion today but not as fatigued. Still never had fever or bad body aches. 

[Grace Hopper]

1 hour ago, skimomma said:

I'm on day 15 and I feel worse today than I have the entire time.  I have a huge and important presentation at work tomorrow and I am starting to freak out.  I can mask but the coughing fits can take me completely out for 5-10 minutes at a time.

You really might want to rule out a bronchial infection/pneumonia if you’re still coughing that hard on day 15. If no infection, the doctor could probably write you an Rx for tessalon pearls to get you through things like presentations. Our singers used these. 
 

 

[Bootsie]

DH has had something (negative for strep, flu, and COVID); was pretty much in bed, eating soup, and not feeling like doing anything for a week--he is now on Day 11 and is still feeling run-down with a horrible cough.