Testing: Flu, COVID-19, RSV, Strep, and Lyme
Feeling under the weather for more than a couple of days affects more than just your physical well-being. While the chills, aches, and pains that accompany the flu or COVID-19 can be an inconvenience, symptoms can also take a toll on an individual’s emotional state and cause feelings of anxiety, depression, isolation, and loneliness.
To get on the road to recovery, it is important to determine exactly what is plaguing you and seek treatment as soon as possible. However, how do you know whether you have the flu, COVID-19, or something else? After all, many illnesses produce similar symptoms. The answers lie in simple diagnostic tests that can be performed fairly quickly at Chesapeake Rx.
What Types of Diagnostic Tests Are Available at Chesapeake Rx?
Flu Testing
To determine if you are infected with a flu virus, such as Type A, B, or C, a swab test will be performed to collect a sample of fluids from your nose or throat, known as a rapid antigen test. If you test positive for one of these respiratory viral infections, flu antivirals taken early may make symptoms milder and reduce the duration of your illness. Therefore, it is essential to seek treatment sooner than later.
COVID-19 Testing
Like a flu test, a nasal swab sample is taken to analyze it for COVID-19. With symptoms similar to the flu, including fever, chills, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headache, fatigue, and vomiting, the antigen test can provide the proper diagnosis and peace of mind in knowing how to treat the virus. Antiviral medications must be prescribed within five to seven days after symptoms develop to be effective, so it is important to act quickly to aid in your relief.
RSV Testing
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a contagious respiratory virus that affects the lungs and airways and produces symptoms such as runny nose, cough, wheezing, fever, and fatigue. It is spread by coming in contact with droplets of fluids from coughing, sneezing, and contaminated surfaces. With symptoms similar to flu and COVID-19, infants, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at risk of developing severe RSV infection. A rapid antigen test can provide the answers you need on how to treat it and prevent further spread of the virus.
Strep Testing
Group A streptococcus may be to blame when pain accompanies swallowing for more than a few days and a fever is present. A swab test may be necessary to rule out a simple sore throat; it will also help to determine whether antibiotics are necessary to aid in discomfort. Additional symptoms such as red, swollen tonsils, white spots on tonsils, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck may also help diagnose. Since certain types of strep will not go away without antibiotics, it is paramount to know what you are dealing with before determining how to treat it.
Lyme Testing
When it comes to a tick bite, time is of the essence, as early diagnosis can greatly improve your ability to ward off symptoms, such as fever, headache, joint stiffness, muscle aches, and swollen lymph nodes. Failing to begin treatment can also trigger additional symptoms, such as body rashes, neck pain or stiffness, pain in the back, hips, hands, and feet, and immune system problems that cause irregular heartbeat or vision loss. For this reason, it is imperative to test for Lyme disease quickly so that antibiotics can be administered at the onset.
If you feel sick and are unsure what you are dealing with, testing can help narrow down the possible culprits.
Talk to a Local Chesapeake Pharmacist at Chesapeake Rx Who Understands How to Help You
When you are not sure where to turn and do not want to take a wait-and-see approach with your health, call a Chesapeake pharmacist at Chesapeake Rx for assistance. Proper diagnosis will put you on the path to feeling physically and emotionally better. Do not wait to discover if your sniffles and fever are more serious than the common cold. Call 443-249-3134 or contact us online for assistance. Located in Stevensville, Maryland, we serve customers in Stevensville, Chester, and Kent Island.
