“For what it’s worth my wife and I have practiced social distancing but I guess that didn’t work”

Photo by PoPville flickr user District Shots

“Dear PoPville,

I think I might have it but I don’t know for sure

I had a 102.4 fever on Friday night, and had a “telemedicine” appointment with a doctor on Saturday afternoon. She asked what other symptoms I had, and I told her “I really have none apart from aches and pains of the flu.”

She thought it would be best to schedule me for a test the next day.

I went to bed Saturday night and woke up sweating and feeling horrible. My temperature was 103.8, which scared the hell out of me. I called the Takoma Park VFD to ask if I should go to the ER.

The dispatcher pointed out that it would be packed and if I had it I’d infect people and if I didn’t I’d risk getting infected. She suggested a cold bath, cold compresses, Tylenol, and monitoring the rest of the night. That worked and my fever went down to about 100

I went to the drive through test Sunday at noon. Afterwards I asked how long it would be for results. I was told 6-7 days.

For what it’s worth my wife and I have practiced social distancing but I guess that didn’t work. Of course there is a chance I don’t have it but not getting an answer for a week is frustrating.

Consider this a cautionary tale and stay at home.”