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COVID test negative: How can I be sure my symptoms are long COVID?
A pulmonologist diagnosed me with Adult Moderate Persistent asthma a few months ago. Now I’m not so convinced. I remember having debilitating chills, night sweats, phantom aches and pains, and overwhelming fatigue with serious cough and breathlessness back in early November. I tested Neg for Covid at the end of December. Though I am on asthma meds, I’m finding that my symptoms are slowly, and gradually improving (I’m finally feeling better) and that the asthma meds are becoming seemingly ineffective. I spoke with an old acquaintance yesterday who has been through the exact same cycle of symptoms that I have, and he suggested I could have had Covid earlier last Fall, not known it, and could be recovering from long-haul. (I mostly struggle with some cough now and excess mucus.) Could this be possible with a Neg Covid test in late Dec?
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@otter2154- Good morning. If you are improving wouldn't you suspect that it is asthma meds that are doing this? Sometimes it takes a while for asthma meds to kick in. Have you been tested for antibodies for COVID-19?
Those symptoms also sound as if you might have had another virus or even the flu. I think that we forget that there are other "bugs" out there other than COVID-19.
Anything is possible with COVID-19 tests. They aren't 100% accurate. However, your cough and mucus are sure signs of Asthma. Would you be willing to get an anti-body test? Have you received any of the vaccines yet? How did you do with those?
I got my first of two Pfizer doses this past Tuesday (second one on April 20th). I felt poorly later that evening but bounced back the next day. I have been told that you will test pos on the anti-body test after the vaccine (but who knows). You raise good points. Thanks.
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1 Reaction@otter2154- THere are a lot of myths out there about the vaccines and COVID-19 in general.
THe vaccines will not cause a positive result on the tests.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/facts.html
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1 ReactionThank you. After all I’ve been through the last 4-months, I’m feeling well enough to attempt a 12-mile bike ride this afternoon. It’ll be slow and steady ... I’ve missed my bike.
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1 Reaction@otter2154- With Asthma? I would say that you are progressing very well. Enjoy your ride!
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1 ReactionDid you have a Covid test, or a Covid antibody test? The test for the Covid infection may only be positive for a couple of days when the virus is most active in your body, and would definitely be negative weeks or months later unless you were reinfected. The symptoms, on the other hand, can last for months and change over time.
Persistent lung issues are one of the hallmarks of long Covid, and some do clear up eventually, others seem to become long-term. If you are okay after a 12 mile bike ride today, I would say you're a lucky one. But now that you are feeling better, your lungs need another look by the pulmonologist to see if what appeared to be asthma has cleared up so you can stop any unneccesary meds. Also, keep this episode in the back of your mind - once lungs have been badly affected by any illness, they become more vulnerable to infection in the future.
Sue
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2 ReactionsThanks for your reply. I got a negative on a COVID test, about 45-days after the severe symptoms. I just completed my 12-mile bike ride ... first time since probably Oct and it went well. I did have to walk up one big hill, but I’m also a bit out of shape. I am seeing my pulmonologist on April 20th for review. I know I will have to be more careful in the future. We wash our hands as soon as we get home from anywhere, bought some good air purifiers ... and I will probably always wear a mask on airplanes going forward (Pandemic or not). Regards.
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1 ReactionSuggest you try an immunity test, I have your symptoms n just had antibody test and showed strong immunity. I was hospitalized for covid19 in Dec. .
Hello. More than 1 month after the second dose, I had palpitations, fatigue, weight loss, hair loss, iron deficiency, chest pain, short of breath, back pain and more. Covid test negatif. But all symptoms lead to long haul covid. How to be sure ?
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1 ReactionHi @cathusa, welcome to the Post-COVID Recovery group. I'm sorry to hear that you are experiencing long haul symptoms.
Many people who were infected with COVID haven’t been tested. Some people who didn't experience symptoms at the time of infection and didn't know they had been exposed wouldn't even have thought to get tested. Now that you've been vaccinated (good for protection against reinfection), an antibody test will likely show that you have antibodies. These could be attributed to both the vaccine and to a previous infection.
Such as that is, the fact remains that you have symptoms that require attention. Have you seen your doctor about them? Have you considered a Post COVID Care Clinic?