Will Lubbock Survive The Latest Waves Of Deadly Disease?

Excuse me if you find this headline a bit much, but as someone who has lost people and seen others crippled by COVID, I do believe we should be taking this wave very seriously.

What Is Happening?

Right now COVID is making its way across Lubbock like a brushfire. I don't know that I've ever seen so many friends, family, and social media acquaintances down with the virus at one time. The incubation time for COVID can be two to fourteen days meaning a lot of people are spreading it unknowingly. Then others are careless or just don't care who they pass it along to. It also seems that we may be having a heavy RSV season as well.

What Are The Symptoms?

This year's virus seems to have a little something extra in the mix. It appears that in many cases the infection starts with a sore throat. Believe it or not, it was incredibly easy to detect in my family when everyone's voice was much deeper as well as scratchy. Nasal drainage or stoppage are big issues and some, such as myself experience fevers and/or chills.

How Should You Treat It?

For many, treating the symptoms is the way to go. If you are relatively healthy and watch yourself closely, you may make it through unscathed. You HAVE to stay on top of it though, the symptoms can drag out and leave you with bonus respiratory and/or sinus infections. Check the labels on your meds, but many I know are just going Dayquil/Nightquil and/or Theraflu. AGAIN, I am only offering advice and personal asides. If you are frail, or just getting older, you should probably get your healthcare provider to fill you a prescription for Paxlovid.

What's The Baseline For Getting Past The Infection?

Generally, and again, this is not guaranteed, but most times you will be good to go about five days after infection. This means you should "turn a corner" around that time and may be able to return to work but you should retest for infection, or contact your physician for advice.

This Is Just Advice

I hope you will use this information to help you determine whether you need treatment and/or further information. This seems to be a very mild round of the virus, especially for those who have had immunizations and/or boosters, but it can turn tragic if the wrong people are infected.