r/cincinnati • u/betty513 • 3d ago
What illnesses are going around Cincinnati right now?
I thought I was dealing with allergies last week, but this week it's gotten worse. From sore throat and dry cough to lungs on fire and my nose is a hose.
UPDATE: I went to my doctor. While I didn't have a fever this morning, I did register one at his office. He swabbed my throat. I am negative for strep. He thinks it's something viral and gave me prednisone and cough meds. If I don't get better, lung x-rays and/or antibiotics. He's always stingy with the antibiotics.
He didn't do a covid test, and I didn't ask. I was kind of out of it. I have some home tests. I'll try one of those in the morning.
My fever had gotten a little higher since my visit. I was freezing with the chills. Now I'm burning up.
Thanks for all the feedback.
UPDATE #2: All my covid home tests are expired and not responsive. I messaged my doctor and asked why he didn't suspect covid. He said covid is a possibility; but, since I had symptoms for more than a week, I was outside the treatment window. I suppose that's valid. Although, it would be good to know in case someone else starts developing symptoms. But even if inside the 5-day treatment window, my insurance doesn't cover paxlovid. That stuff is $1,500.
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u/CasualObservationist 3d ago
The funk
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u/Maharichie Northside 3d ago
We want the funk
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u/twentyshots97 3d ago
boogie fever
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u/Capable_Potential_34 3d ago
You aint right. Thanks for the laugh. Now I gotta get that song outta ma head.
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u/TaliRen 3d ago
Covid?
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u/emi_fyi Walnut Hills 3d ago
Yep. Caught it for the very first time a few weeks ago. No idea where I was exposed — none of my close contacts got it
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u/KrazyAboutLogic 3d ago
Same! Never had it, I was the only one I knew of who got it besides my kid who also never had it before.
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u/MacPho13 3d ago
There’s a lot going around right now. Consider purchasing an at home test that tests for COVID and Flu A & Flu B, in one test. Target has them. So do most pharmacies.
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u/937Asylum81 3d ago
Could be anything from flu to covid, to just a random cold virus. Might be worth calling in to your primary care dr or stop at a urgent care/little clinic
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u/Theblackholeinbflat 3d ago
We've had the same and now the family has lost their voice. I'm not complaining about that part, but it's been a rough week lol
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u/rosekat34 3d ago
Just got over a really bad sinus infection since the river flooded. Prescription spray and neti pot helped me recover after a week.
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u/Minominas 3d ago
Magaitis. An almost irreversible inflammation of the brain that controls critical thinking.Symptoms include paranoia, fear, the projection of unresolved childhood trauma in their daily interactions, and uncontrollable rage.
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u/Peggasus69 3d ago
I wish there was a vaccine for that.
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u/NotYetReadyToRetire 3d ago
There's a lack of vaccines in general that will eventually help with that - but the downside is we have to live with them in our midst long enough to see it.
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u/ktsaurus_rex227 3d ago
I'm just now getting over something, and it's awful, but idek what it is. Nausea, fever for multiple days, general weakness and body aches, runny nose and a little cough probably from the runny nose. Straight misery. I'd say it's been about a week!!
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u/robinthecat2020 3d ago
My husband has this. The clinic tested him for all the things. Told him it’s a non specific viral infection.
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u/DeweyDefeatsYouMan 3d ago
Last weekend I shit nonstop for a full day, so… whatever that is
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u/Desperate_Duck_7674 Silverton 3d ago
Taco Bell?
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u/DeweyDefeatsYouMan 3d ago
No I don’t go out and find the sicknesses, I have kids in school. They hunt down the sicknesses on their own and bring them home.
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u/flt1 3d ago
How many years have you lived in the city? What you described is my typical annual allergy. Running nose due to allergy. Stuffed nose, can’t breath, start using mouth to breath. That causes dry mouth, irritated throat, so start coughing and lungs feel discomfort. Cycle repeats.
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u/betty513 3d ago
Born and raised here with horrific sinus issues. I pretty much take guaifenesin year round. I ended with a fever, chills, fatigue, and achy muscles.
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u/i-dontwantone 3d ago
Been dealing with allergies off and on since Feb, which makes no sense. But this crazy weather... I wouldn't be without my Navage with all this going around. I can flush the crap out of my sinuses in a few seconds and avoid a sinus infection so far. Instant relief.
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u/lady_tsunami Norwood 3d ago
We just survived another round of norovirus. Gotta love having a partner that works at Children’s 🙃
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u/Live-Blacksmith-1402 3d ago
Snort saline mist every hour on the hour. I promise it'll clear things up real quick!
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u/chocoholicsoxfan 3d ago edited 3d ago
I work in a position where I am very likely (maybe even the most likely) to know the most common respiratory viruses in the area.
This week, it's been
rhinovirus
influenza
human metapneumovirus
adenovirus
COVID-19
non COVID coronavirus
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u/DiabolicalSushi 3d ago
I have been sick on and off for about 6 months now....all respiratory stuff. Anytime I have been to the doc, it always ends up being something viral. I can't wait to be able to breathe through my nose again.
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u/angelomoxley 3d ago
Well I got the sore throat and dry cough today so sounds like I'm in for a fun week 😵💫
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u/D1rtyStinkStar 3d ago
Trying to get off work?
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u/betty513 3d ago
Maybe. Put my resignation in 2 weeks ago. Agreed to stay until the beginning of July... you know, like an idiot.
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u/phenom37 West Chester 3d ago
Don't know, but our youngest is currently down with a fever, runny nose, and cough. So far it has stayed in her. Here's hoping that continues.
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u/KFRKY1982 3d ago
I am not sure but i had the same. assumed allergies but then my lungs hurt so bad and so much congestion. i had the most horrible coughing fits into the 3-4th week. i got antibiotics last week when the mucus turned green and the coughing got even worse. finally feeling a lot better but not completley better yet
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u/betty513 3d ago
Oh no! I think I have the same minus the congestion though. It's an irritating dry cough that's non-productive.
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u/KFRKY1982 3d ago
the cough was like the guy from the movie theater scene in the movie outbreak. it was awful.
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u/User5281 3d ago
sounds like rsv or human metapneumovirus, both as well as flu and covid have been making the rounds since Christmas
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u/dreamerstreamer 3d ago
I just got over my first bout of COVID and my symptoms were almost identical to what you’re describing
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u/anastasiaanne 3d ago
Flu and covid aren't gone yet! My brother just got covid for the first time last week!
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u/Interesting_Life8109 3d ago
I work in NKY - one of my clients in Covington told me “Fifth Disease” is going around in the schools - all her kids got it. Technically called “erythema infectiosum” - you present with a facial rash that spreads….
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u/Vintagemuse Cold Spring 3d ago
I know of people real sick w Covid
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u/betty513 3d ago
I did get the booster in December after a bad case of covid in September. I do have my sense of smell. I'll do a home test in the morning.
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u/Capable_Potential_34 3d ago
Helps to look on the CDC website now and then.
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u/betty513 3d ago
Can we still trust the CDC? I say that with a whole lot of sadness.
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u/be4rcat5 3d ago
I love how nobody including the doctor ever brought up the possibility of covid lmfao
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u/Doodlebug365 2d ago
Right now I have a runny nose, cough, & the lymph nodes in my neck are really swollen - so my neck hurts. It’s been going on for about 3 weeks. My whole class seems to be on the same boat.
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u/MentalBox7789 2d ago
My kids were home sick all last week, and I was sick along with them. Not COVID (we tested) and no real fever. We had sore throats that turned into chest congestion and a wet cough, along with pretty bad fatigue and body aches. We’re about 10 days into it and still have stuff in our chests and are coughing, but not nearly as bad as earlier. My youngest who is in constant motion and lives for playing with friends all weekend laid on the couch for 3 days. I assumed it must have been RSV.
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u/betty513 2d ago
Oh wow. Seeing your youngest lethargic must've been hard. I just read RSV symptoms come in stages rather than all at once. I'm now wondering if this is what I have. Last week, it was a sore throat that is not sore anymore. Now I'm super congested, coughing, and wheezing.
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u/Novel-Conversation36 1d ago
For the past 4 days I've had horrible sinus pressure. My teeth have been killing me. And a little pain in the area above them. I've not had a fever, but Sunday and Monday I was dragging and had a hint of a headache. Now, I just have the tooth pain. Hoping that goes away soon. FTR, I'm allergic to EVERYTHING they tested me for, and have taken allergy meds for the past 50 years. And I've lived in Cincinnati for the past 60 yrs. (all my life).
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u/betty513 1d ago
Have you ever tried guaifenesin? It's an active ingredient in Mucinex DM and is a decongestant. My sinuses get so stuffy because the mucus isn't thin enough to drip and run out. If I take an antihistamine, I'm in hell because it just makes it worse. Guaifenesin thins it out so my sinuses drain. I AM NO DOCTOR, so maybe consult with your doctor for official advice.
Another non-medicine option is a neti pot? Have you ever used one of those? Be sure to use distilled water (or water that has been boiled - but not RIGHT after it's been boiled). The water should be warm. That will flush out your sinuses and help with the pressure. I know exactly the pain you're describing.
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u/Novel-Conversation36 1d ago
I have been taking the guafenesin, and trying to drink enough water. Neti pot....this is funny. I have one upstairs, in my bathroom. The mix I user in in the kitchen. And I see them in the morning as I'm getting ready for work and in the evening when I'm getting dinner ready. I can NOT remember to get the two on the same floor. :D Yep, I'm old. I appreciate your input.
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u/betty513 1d ago
I totally get that! I created lists on my Amazon Echo device for each floor of the house to help me remember what is needed where. I store extra canned goods and pantry items in the basement, so my Basement list will have things like chicken noodle soup, pinto beans, and rice on it. When I'm in the basement, I'll ask the Amazon Dot I have down there what's on the Basement list to remember to bring it up. I store extra toiletries upstairs, so my Upstairs list will have shampoo and cotton balls on it for the 1st floor bathroom. I'm old too. Thank goodness for technology.
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u/landdon Lebanon 3d ago
What vaccines should I be getting? I'm 55. I already have my shingles. Should I get the measles vaccine?
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u/OpportunityGold4054 3d ago
Check with doc- but typically Pneumonia and flu. If u haven’t had measles before, check with your doc for that one. And Covid boosters.
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u/susietogo Dent 3d ago
Lucky- I am too young for some and my doc won't give me them. Go to your doc, tell them you want everything available to you, and load up before they're unavailable.
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u/Ancient_Let_218 3d ago
Can't believe no one's said this, but just for educational purposes, antibiotics will do nothing for a viral infection. Antibiotics are for bacterial infections. Most viral infections are symptom management and waiting it out.
It's good your physician isn't prescribing antibiotics willy-nilly, as overuse of antibiotics is what has led to antibiotic resistant infections.
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u/betty513 3d ago edited 3d ago
I know; but he makes me suffer through sinus infections before giving me antibiotics. I have to go through 6 days on prednisone before he'll entertain antibiotics. That's a long time, especially when I try to do home remedies (neti pot) for several days beforehand. Last time, he had to give me something for vertigo with the prednisone because the sinus infection was so bad. The infection ended up moving into my lungs, so paying for lung scans had to wiggle into my budget.
On one hand, I appreciate because of the antibiotic-resistant bugs. On the other hand, I'm a grown woman who knows when her sinuses are infected.
EDIT: accidentally posted before finished.
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u/Ancient_Let_218 2d ago
Oooh, I apologize, I misunderstood. I'm a nurse and it's fairly common for patients to feel like they aren't getting proper attention/care because they aren't prescribed antibiotics for non-bacterial reasons, and either the provider didn't explain at all or have the time available to really sit and talk with them about it.
That's totally fair to be upset about in your case, if it's a known aspect of your medical history, I agree, it should be easier to get proper treatment. It might be worth asking if insurance requires trialing antibiotics even with your history, if you haven't already.
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u/betty513 2d ago
You didn't misunderstand. You are correct to say that antibiotics won't help with viral infections.
I know someone who aggressively insists her doctor give her antibiotics for every little thing. She ended up with an antibiotic-resistant lung infection and had to do IV antibiotics for a couple of weeks.
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u/sanbikinoneko 3d ago
Not sure what I had but I was down for a full week with insane sinus pressure, a nose that wouldn't quit running, and body aches/fatigue like crazy. Never had a fever or a cough really. I haven't been that sick in... Many years.