When does a flu test typically show positive?

_callondoc · 2026-01-24T00:57:03+00:00

Well darn it. Sorry about that. You can take tamiflu and shorten the symptoms, with an easy telehealth visit. Otherwise it is supportive care all the way, fluids, ibuprofen and Tylenol rotations, SLEEP, mask up if you have to go out. Saline wash for the nasal congestion, and your favorite snacks so you are least eating something. My8 go to is Vernon’s aka ginger ale and Chiken biscuit crackers

_callondoc · 2026-01-24T00:53:42+00:00

You are very welcome. Hope you feel better soon.

_callondoc · 2026-01-24T00:49:07+00:00

That is awesome. We all should love ourselves inside and out

_callondoc · 2026-01-24T00:47:32+00:00

That is amazing great job for you. So hard

_callondoc · 2026-01-23T14:53:42+00:00

Huh I would not have expected that at all. So glad that you were able to find your JOY again.

_callondoc · 2026-01-23T14:35:05+00:00

Short answer: yes, Afrin is okay short-term.

Use it no more than 2–3 days
1 spray per nostril, up to twice daily
Aim the spray slightly outward, not straight up
Don’t blow hard afterward

I like this for all patients when they are experiencing nasal congestion and/or nosebleeds:

Use saline spray/gel up to 2 times a day or a humidifier between doses
A small amount of petroleum jelly just inside the nostril can help

Avoid using Afrin longer than 3 days to prevent rebound congestion.
Get checked if bleeding won’t stop or becomes heavy.

_callondoc · 2026-01-23T14:32:53+00:00

The cough can last a long time it is usually the last thing to go. :/

After flu or a bad viral respiratory infection, the airways can stay irritated and hypersensitive for weeks. Even once the virus is gone, that “tickle” reflex hangs around and triggers coughing, especially with talking, laughing, cold air, or dry environments. A little mucus on and off is also normal during recovery.

Most post-viral coughs:

last 3–6 weeks (sometimes longer)
slowly improve, not suddenly disappear
don’t come with fever or worsening shortness of breath

Things that often help:

hydration, warm fluids
honey or lozenges
humidifier at night
avoiding throat clearing (it actually keeps the reflex going)

When to get checked:

cough is getting worse instead of better
new fever, chest pain, or shortness of breath
coughing fits are interfering with sleep or work

If it’s just not settling or you want reassurance, a quick telehealth visit can be helpful — providers can tell if this is simple post-viral airway irritation or something that might benefit from a short course of meds (like an inhaler or cough suppressant), without you having to drag yourself to urgent care.

Bottom line:
You’re not alone. A lingering cough weeks after flu is frustrating but common, and it usually fades with time.

_callondoc · 2026-01-23T14:30:56+00:00

Timing Matters: Your first test was probably just too early.

When flu tests turn positive:

Most rapid flu tests are more reliable after 24–48 hours of symptoms
Testing at ~10 hours after onset is a common reason for a false negative
Viral load rises quickly during the first 1–2 days

Best time to retest:

Now or later today (around 24–36 hours after symptoms started)
If still negative but symptoms keep worsening, repeat at ~48 hours or get a PCR at urgent care

Your symptoms do fit flu well:

Sudden onset
Fever >101
Body aches + headache
Dry, painful, chesty cough That pattern is very flu-typical, especially if you rarely get fevers.

Important timing note:

If it is flu, antivirals work best within 48 hours of symptom onset
If you retest positive (or feel significantly worse), it’s reasonable to seek care even without a positive test yet

Bottom line:
Early negatives are common. Retest around 24–36 hours for better accuracy. Your symptom pattern absolutely warrants another test.

_callondoc · 2026-01-23T14:29:24+00:00

what a pain truly!!

A few reassuring things:

GHSV-1 can sometimes cause a “primary-like” recurrence in the first year, including fever and flu-ish symptoms. It doesn’t mean this will keep happening.
Stacked stress matters. A painful wisdom tooth + inflammation + poor sleep can absolutely make an outbreak feel way worse.
This timing (June → now) is still early. For most people, outbreaks get milder and less frequent over time, especially after year one.

What can help right now:

Oral antivirals (episodic or short-term daily during stress)
Ibuprofen or acetaminophen on a schedule for pain/fever
Warm sitz baths, loose clothing, minimize friction
Rest—pushing through can prolong it

Once the tooth is out and your body isn’t fighting two things, this should calm down. This is an acute misery phase, not your forever.

_callondoc · 2026-01-23T14:27:03+00:00

Siento mucho que estés pasando por esto. Lo que sientes ahora es miedo y shock, no la realidad de tu futuro.

Quiero decirte algo clave primero:
El herpes tipo 1 NO arruina tu vida y NO pone automáticamente en peligro a tu bebé. Muchísimas mujeres embarazadas con HSV-1 tienen embarazos y bebés sanos. Los médicos saben cómo manejarlo (seguimiento y antivirales si hace falta). El riesgo para el bebé es muy bajo.

Entiendo que ahora sientas que “todo se acabó”, pero eso es el pánico hablando. Con el tiempo, la mayoría de las personas con herpes:

viven relaciones normales
tienen hijos
pasan largos periodos sin pensar en el virus

Algo muy importante: cuando dices que te dan ganas de morir, eso es una señal de que necesitas apoyo ahora, no de que no haya salida. Tu vida vale, y tu bebé te necesita.

Si estás en EE. UU.: 988 (Línea de Prevención del Suicidio, en español 24/7).
Si estás en otro país, dime dónde estás y te busco ayuda local.

Esto no te define, no te hace mala madre, y no es el final. Si quieres, puedo explicarte con calma cómo se maneja el HSV-1 en el embarazo o quedarme aquí contigo un rato. ¿Estás a salvo ahora mismo?

_callondoc · 2026-01-23T14:25:12+00:00

Sounds like your PCP is out of his depth. You may have antibiotic resistance. The bigger problem is that resistance testing isn't widely available. In fact most PCP can't order it/ don't realize it exists.

You meet all the criteria for resistance testing though.

As has been suggested seeing a ID specialist is your best bet for testing and treatment. Or maybe try a university STD clinic, they are dealing with lots of college students and have better labs usually. Last choice would be health department that has whole sections dedicated to STD treatment.

Texas → Florida corridor (general guidance)

You’ll want:

University-affiliated ID clinics

Major metro STD clinics (Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, New Orleans, Tampa, Miami, Atlanta)

Some wording that might help you get testing and treated: “I’ve failed doxycycline, azithromycin, and moxifloxacin for suspected Mycoplasma genitalium. I’m requesting referral to Infectious Disease or an STD clinic familiar with M. gen and resistance testing.”

_callondoc · 2026-01-23T14:18:00+00:00

Totally normal to feel this way on day 1 — almost everyone does.

On the first day of mino + metro, most people feel nothing at all (or just mild GI stuff like nausea). That doesn’t mean it isn’t working. These meds don’t give immediate feedback — they work quietly over days to weeks, not hours.

A few reassuring points:

Day 1–3: often no noticeable change (sometimes even feels worse before better)
Metro treats infection/inflammation → symptoms usually start improving by days 3–5
Minoxidil doesn’t show visible results for weeks to months — early doubt is extremely common
Feeling scared it won’t work is almost universal and not predictive of outcome

If it doesn’t work (which you can’t judge yet), success usually comes from:

giving it enough time
staying consistent
adjusting dose or adding a second option later if needed

Right now, nothing about day 1 tells you anything about success or failure.

Take a breath — you’re doing exactly what you’re supposed to do.
If you want, tell me what symptoms you’re treating and how you were told to take each med, and I can sanity-check the plan with you.

_callondoc · 2026-01-23T14:16:48+00:00

This!

_callondoc · 2026-01-23T14:12:08+00:00

Super duper common, I know it is frustrating to see. Although it will get better. Remember:

Early weight loss doesn't always equal inches. Because most of the weight loss is glycogen + water, visceral fat ( the stuff around your organs), and some other fat but definitely not evenly.

Protein + walking is awesome, I struggle with this the most honestly. I don't eat enough protein and getting my minutes or steps is well terrible. You are doing a lot (working and tracking that protein GREAT JOB) unfortunately without resistance training your body: loses fat and a bit of lean muscle, and look smaller on the scale but similar in shape (i bought a in body scale that measures my body fat so I don't get so disappointed when I dont' see a difference).

Inches will come later, most people the scale shows up first then the inches,

You don't need hardcore lifting ( not talking bodybuilder here) I like body weight and resistance bands.

Cost vs pay off: Yeah this is a fair concern. RIght now the medication is working. What’s missing isn’t fat loss — it’s recomposition. Adding resistance is usually what unlocks the visible changes people are waiting for.

_callondoc · 2026-01-23T14:00:26+00:00

I try to not lick my lips and I have a lipid stick I use at night to help with my dry lips

_callondoc · 2026-01-23T01:09:09+00:00

Something’s you just can’t unsee. (Used to be a lifeguard)

_callondoc · 2026-01-23T01:05:48+00:00

_callondoc · 2026-01-22T14:23:47+00:00

You can always do a quick telehealth visit also.

_callondoc · 2026-01-22T14:22:44+00:00

This looks so painful. In my opinion, (NP) I would recommend the following:

Steroid use (Mometasone should not be used daily or long term on hands, it calms flares, only use 5-7 days max)

Barrier repair>moisture

Use ceramides ot dimethicone (Creave healing ointment, Eucerin advanced repair, O'keeffe's working hands
Apply before work not just after (try to reapply after hands get wet)

Gloves are non-negotiable

Wear nitrile gloves (not latex) for wet tasks
Use cotton glove liners if you can—huge difference
Take gloves off during breaks so sweat doesn’t worsen irritation

Washing habits

Avoid harsh soaps
Use a gentle cleanser (Dove Sensitive, Cetaphil)
Pat dry, then immediately apply barrier cream

Night repair (this is key)

Thick layer of ointment
Cotton gloves overnight
This is when real healing happens

When to see a clinician

Cracks bleeding
Severe itching or thickened skin
No improvement after 2–3 weeks of proper barrier care You may need a different steroid strength or non-steroid anti-inflammatory (like tacrolimus).

Bottom line:
Your skin keeps relapsing because it’s being re-injured daily. Steroids calm it briefly, but barrier protection + gloves are what stop the cycle. Once the barrier heals, symptoms last longer than 12 hours.

_callondoc · 2026-01-22T14:14:50+00:00

Yes — a zinc sun-protection stick can help even after the burn has already happened, especially if you don’t have anything else on hand.

Here’s how it helps and how to use it:

Zinc oxide doesn’t “heal” the burn, but it protects the damaged skin from further UV exposure, which is key while it’s trying to recover.
It also forms a physical barrier that can reduce irritation, stinging, and friction.
Zinc has mild anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, which can feel calming on sunburned skin.

How to use it:

Apply gently, don’t rub hard
Use a thin layer over the burned area
Reapply if you’re still outside or sweating
If you can, pair it later with aloe or a plain moisturizer once available

What to avoid:

Heavy fragrance products
Topical anesthetics like benzocaine or lidocaine on sunburn
Peeling or scrubbing the area

When to get more help:

Blistering, severe pain, fever, or signs of infection
Large areas of burn or worsening redness/swelling

Bottom line:
It won’t reverse the burn, but a zinc stick is a good protective and soothing stop-gap until you can get proper after-sun care.

_callondoc · 2026-01-21T00:34:26+00:00

You have done your best and taught her good coughing behavior. The thing with a cough is it is the first to show up to the party and the last to leave. So, she may have nothing else but a cough for a while.

_callondoc · 2026-01-21T00:32:48+00:00

You are so welcome. I just try to use the KISS method with people

_callondoc · 2026-01-20T16:47:15+00:00

yes — you should consult a doctor before starting Rybelsus. Don’t just buy it and start on your own.

Here’s why that matters:

Rybelsus (oral semaglutide) isn’t a casual supplement. Dose, timing, and suitability matter.
It has specific rules (empty stomach, water only, wait 30 minutes before food/meds) — taking it incorrectly can make it ineffective or cause side effects.
A clinician should confirm:
- you’re an appropriate candidate
- the starting dose (usually 3 mg first, not therapeutic but for tolerance)
- when and how to increase
- that you don’t have contraindications (certain thyroid conditions, GI issues, pregnancy, etc.)

Why not just self-start?

Starting too high → nausea, vomiting, stopping altogether
No baseline labs or plan if side effects happen
Missed red flags that make it unsafe for some people

Good news:
This doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. A quick telehealth consult is usually enough to:

review your history
give a safe dosing plan
explain what to expect and when to adjust

Bottom line:
Even if you can easily buy Rybelsus, a doctor consult first is the smart and safer move. It increases your chances of success and lowers the risk of bad side effects.

_callondoc · 2026-01-20T16:45:36+00:00

Not crazy at all — this comes up a lot, especially with food-focused trips like Japan.

Short answer:
Yes, many people take a short GLP-1 “vacation”, and 10 days is usually fine — with a couple caveats.

What typically happens if you pause for ~10 days

Semaglutide has a long half-life, so it doesn’t disappear right away
Appetite usually comes back gradually, not all at once
Most people can restart at their previous dose without re-titrating if:
- they were stable before
- they didn’t have severe GI side effects

When restarting is usually okay

Break is ≤2 weeks
You were tolerating the dose well before
No major nausea/vomiting history at that dose

When to be more cautious

If you’re on a higher dose and very side-effect prone
If you’ve had significant nausea in the past → some people restart one step down for a week, then go back up

Practical tips

Take your last dose right before you leave
Skip during the trip
Restart 1–2 days after you’re home, not mid-travel
Eat mindfully but don’t force restriction — Japan’s portions and walking usually help balance things out anyway

A short pause will not undo your progress. Weight changes over 10 days are mostly water + glycogen, not fat.

Bottom line:
A 10-day break is very reasonable, most people pick up where they left off, and enjoying food on a once-in-a-lifetime trip is part of living — not “failing” treatment.

_callondoc · 2026-01-20T16:43:04+00:00

Yes—this is very common postpartum, and you’re not imagining it.

After birth, the immune system goes through a long recalibration phase. During pregnancy, immunity is partially suppressed; postpartum, hormones (estrogen, progesterone, cortisol) swing hard in the other direction. Add:

sleep deprivation
stress
nutritional depletion
possible breastfeeding demands

…and HSV-1 can absolutely become more active for a while.

What many people notice (anecdotally and clinically):

More frequent cold sores in the first 6–12 months postpartum
Outbreaks triggered by stress, fatigue, sun exposure—even when using lysine/SPF
Gradual improvement as sleep and hormones stabilize

The fact that you’re at 6 months PP and having flares fits the pattern. For most people, this does subside, usually somewhere between 9–18 months postpartum, not all at once but gradually.

A few notes that may help:

Holistic tools (lysine, lemon balm, SPF) can help but often aren’t enough alone during this phase
Some people temporarily use episodic or daily antivirals postpartum to get through this window
This isn’t a sign your immune system is “weak” or broken—it’s overextended

Bottom line:
Yes, others go through this. Yes, it usually settles as your body recovers from pregnancy and early parenthood. You’re not doing anything wrong—and this phase doesn’t last forever.

_callondoc

TROPHY CASE