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Hello, This Question Is For Dr. XXXXXXX Branch Hi Dr.
Question: Hello, this question is for Dr. XXXXXXX Branch
Hi Dr. Branch!!
It’s been a while since you’ve heard from me. I am the one who had multiple UTIs in the summer. Thankfully after Labour Day they really settled down and I have not had to use any meds or see the urologist! No one knows why they stopped all of a sudden but I’m very glad!
I just wanted to ask you a few questions about COVID-19. Just so you know, we have not travelled recently or been in contact with anyone with COVID-19. We live in a region of Canada with a population of 550,000 and as of today we only have 25 positive cases of COVID-19. 23 of those cases are travel related or from close contact with someone who tested positive. We have been ordered to stay home as much as possible so in the last two weeks I’ve only been to the grocery store and the dentist. Our kids have not been in school since March 12.
My normal body temperature is usually lower than 98. On Friday night I had a low fever of 99.5. I didn’t notice it yesterday. Through the night and into today I had a sore throat, which is pretty much gone now. I have had a fever around 99.5 again today that comes and goes. Also, for the last few hours my stomach has been upset. Not bad but enough to bother me and I haven’t eaten. I also feel achy - not muscle aches but the achy feeling you get when you’re coming down with something (like your skin kind of hurts). I am in a PANIC given all of the news about COVID-19. I called our clinic and the doctor said that I need to stay home for 14 days but I do not have to self isolate from my husband and kids unless my fever goes over 101 and/or I develop a cough. I can understand isolating from my family if I have a higher fever or a fever and cough together. I can’t tell what I’m coming down with but if I am catching a cold I assume I will develop a cough from that. Do I need to self isolate from my husband and kids if I only have a cough?
Have you heard of many cases where people start gradually with low fever and stomach upset? I guess I’m worried that this is the calm before the storm and it will keep getting worse. To be honest, I’ve had these symptoms in the past and wouldn’t have thought much of them but with all of the COVID news, I’m feeling freaked out! Due to the rules here, I will not likely be tested for COVID unless I get much worse.
I am 43 and healthy otherwise, and I don’t smoke. I just have benign PVCs that I take bisoprolol for. We’ve also had our flu shots this year.
Thanks!
Hi Dr. Branch!!
It’s been a while since you’ve heard from me. I am the one who had multiple UTIs in the summer. Thankfully after Labour Day they really settled down and I have not had to use any meds or see the urologist! No one knows why they stopped all of a sudden but I’m very glad!
I just wanted to ask you a few questions about COVID-19. Just so you know, we have not travelled recently or been in contact with anyone with COVID-19. We live in a region of Canada with a population of 550,000 and as of today we only have 25 positive cases of COVID-19. 23 of those cases are travel related or from close contact with someone who tested positive. We have been ordered to stay home as much as possible so in the last two weeks I’ve only been to the grocery store and the dentist. Our kids have not been in school since March 12.
My normal body temperature is usually lower than 98. On Friday night I had a low fever of 99.5. I didn’t notice it yesterday. Through the night and into today I had a sore throat, which is pretty much gone now. I have had a fever around 99.5 again today that comes and goes. Also, for the last few hours my stomach has been upset. Not bad but enough to bother me and I haven’t eaten. I also feel achy - not muscle aches but the achy feeling you get when you’re coming down with something (like your skin kind of hurts). I am in a PANIC given all of the news about COVID-19. I called our clinic and the doctor said that I need to stay home for 14 days but I do not have to self isolate from my husband and kids unless my fever goes over 101 and/or I develop a cough. I can understand isolating from my family if I have a higher fever or a fever and cough together. I can’t tell what I’m coming down with but if I am catching a cold I assume I will develop a cough from that. Do I need to self isolate from my husband and kids if I only have a cough?
Have you heard of many cases where people start gradually with low fever and stomach upset? I guess I’m worried that this is the calm before the storm and it will keep getting worse. To be honest, I’ve had these symptoms in the past and wouldn’t have thought much of them but with all of the COVID news, I’m feeling freaked out! Due to the rules here, I will not likely be tested for COVID unless I get much worse.
I am 43 and healthy otherwise, and I don’t smoke. I just have benign PVCs that I take bisoprolol for. We’ve also had our flu shots this year.
Thanks!
Hello, this question is for Dr. XXXXXXX Branch
Hi Dr. Branch!!
It’s been a while since you’ve heard from me. I am the one who had multiple UTIs in the summer. Thankfully after Labour Day they really settled down and I have not had to use any meds or see the urologist! No one knows why they stopped all of a sudden but I’m very glad!
I just wanted to ask you a few questions about COVID-19. Just so you know, we have not travelled recently or been in contact with anyone with COVID-19. We live in a region of Canada with a population of 550,000 and as of today we only have 25 positive cases of COVID-19. 23 of those cases are travel related or from close contact with someone who tested positive. We have been ordered to stay home as much as possible so in the last two weeks I’ve only been to the grocery store and the dentist. Our kids have not been in school since March 12.
My normal body temperature is usually lower than 98. On Friday night I had a low fever of 99.5. I didn’t notice it yesterday. Through the night and into today I had a sore throat, which is pretty much gone now. I have had a fever around 99.5 again today that comes and goes. Also, for the last few hours my stomach has been upset. Not bad but enough to bother me and I haven’t eaten. I also feel achy - not muscle aches but the achy feeling you get when you’re coming down with something (like your skin kind of hurts). I am in a PANIC given all of the news about COVID-19. I called our clinic and the doctor said that I need to stay home for 14 days but I do not have to self isolate from my husband and kids unless my fever goes over 101 and/or I develop a cough. I can understand isolating from my family if I have a higher fever or a fever and cough together. I can’t tell what I’m coming down with but if I am catching a cold I assume I will develop a cough from that. Do I need to self isolate from my husband and kids if I only have a cough?
Have you heard of many cases where people start gradually with low fever and stomach upset? I guess I’m worried that this is the calm before the storm and it will keep getting worse. To be honest, I’ve had these symptoms in the past and wouldn’t have thought much of them but with all of the COVID news, I’m feeling freaked out! Due to the rules here, I will not likely be tested for COVID unless I get much worse.
I am 43 and healthy otherwise, and I don’t smoke. I just have benign PVCs that I take bisoprolol for. We’ve also had our flu shots this year.
Thanks!
Hi Dr. Branch!!
It’s been a while since you’ve heard from me. I am the one who had multiple UTIs in the summer. Thankfully after Labour Day they really settled down and I have not had to use any meds or see the urologist! No one knows why they stopped all of a sudden but I’m very glad!
I just wanted to ask you a few questions about COVID-19. Just so you know, we have not travelled recently or been in contact with anyone with COVID-19. We live in a region of Canada with a population of 550,000 and as of today we only have 25 positive cases of COVID-19. 23 of those cases are travel related or from close contact with someone who tested positive. We have been ordered to stay home as much as possible so in the last two weeks I’ve only been to the grocery store and the dentist. Our kids have not been in school since March 12.
My normal body temperature is usually lower than 98. On Friday night I had a low fever of 99.5. I didn’t notice it yesterday. Through the night and into today I had a sore throat, which is pretty much gone now. I have had a fever around 99.5 again today that comes and goes. Also, for the last few hours my stomach has been upset. Not bad but enough to bother me and I haven’t eaten. I also feel achy - not muscle aches but the achy feeling you get when you’re coming down with something (like your skin kind of hurts). I am in a PANIC given all of the news about COVID-19. I called our clinic and the doctor said that I need to stay home for 14 days but I do not have to self isolate from my husband and kids unless my fever goes over 101 and/or I develop a cough. I can understand isolating from my family if I have a higher fever or a fever and cough together. I can’t tell what I’m coming down with but if I am catching a cold I assume I will develop a cough from that. Do I need to self isolate from my husband and kids if I only have a cough?
Have you heard of many cases where people start gradually with low fever and stomach upset? I guess I’m worried that this is the calm before the storm and it will keep getting worse. To be honest, I’ve had these symptoms in the past and wouldn’t have thought much of them but with all of the COVID news, I’m feeling freaked out! Due to the rules here, I will not likely be tested for COVID unless I get much worse.
I am 43 and healthy otherwise, and I don’t smoke. I just have benign PVCs that I take bisoprolol for. We’ve also had our flu shots this year.
Thanks!
Brief Answer:
Good to hear from you.
Detailed Answer:
Hello, it's good to hear from you again, I'm glad to hear that UTI issue cleared up. Hard to say why, but it does happen often that things will get better over time and it's hard to say exactly what made it clear all of a sudden.
As for the COVID-19 virus, there have been reports of stomach issues, but this almost always is with respiratory symptoms. However, with the higher temperature, sore throat, and muscle aches, I would consider COVID-19 possible (though not likely). To be safe, I would act as though you do have it, and try to isolate from your family as much as possible, especially by wearing a mask if you can, and practicing good hand hygiene (washing hands or using alcohol rub frequently, ever 30-60 minutes). Maintaining a distance of 2 meters from them as much as possible is also advisable.
If you did develop a cough, that would be more suspicious for COVID-19, though keeping in mind it is still more likely to be one of several other viruses that cause the same symptoms. Only if you are starting to have a hard time breathing would I say you need to get seen in person by a doctor.
The CDC is now saying that if it has been 3 days without a fever (without using any medications to treat fever), your symptoms are improving, and it has been at 7 days since the symptoms started, you can stop self-isolating yourself.
Hopefully in the next few days this will be more clear how this illness is going to go. I hope it is a mild case of whatever it is, and that you are feeling back to normal soon.
I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any other questions about that, and I would be glad to discuss it with you further.
Good to hear from you.
Detailed Answer:
Hello, it's good to hear from you again, I'm glad to hear that UTI issue cleared up. Hard to say why, but it does happen often that things will get better over time and it's hard to say exactly what made it clear all of a sudden.
As for the COVID-19 virus, there have been reports of stomach issues, but this almost always is with respiratory symptoms. However, with the higher temperature, sore throat, and muscle aches, I would consider COVID-19 possible (though not likely). To be safe, I would act as though you do have it, and try to isolate from your family as much as possible, especially by wearing a mask if you can, and practicing good hand hygiene (washing hands or using alcohol rub frequently, ever 30-60 minutes). Maintaining a distance of 2 meters from them as much as possible is also advisable.
If you did develop a cough, that would be more suspicious for COVID-19, though keeping in mind it is still more likely to be one of several other viruses that cause the same symptoms. Only if you are starting to have a hard time breathing would I say you need to get seen in person by a doctor.
The CDC is now saying that if it has been 3 days without a fever (without using any medications to treat fever), your symptoms are improving, and it has been at 7 days since the symptoms started, you can stop self-isolating yourself.
Hopefully in the next few days this will be more clear how this illness is going to go. I hope it is a mild case of whatever it is, and that you are feeling back to normal soon.
I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any other questions about that, and I would be glad to discuss it with you further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Brief Answer:
Good to hear from you.
Detailed Answer:
Hello, it's good to hear from you again, I'm glad to hear that UTI issue cleared up. Hard to say why, but it does happen often that things will get better over time and it's hard to say exactly what made it clear all of a sudden.
As for the COVID-19 virus, there have been reports of stomach issues, but this almost always is with respiratory symptoms. However, with the higher temperature, sore throat, and muscle aches, I would consider COVID-19 possible (though not likely). To be safe, I would act as though you do have it, and try to isolate from your family as much as possible, especially by wearing a mask if you can, and practicing good hand hygiene (washing hands or using alcohol rub frequently, ever 30-60 minutes). Maintaining a distance of 2 meters from them as much as possible is also advisable.
If you did develop a cough, that would be more suspicious for COVID-19, though keeping in mind it is still more likely to be one of several other viruses that cause the same symptoms. Only if you are starting to have a hard time breathing would I say you need to get seen in person by a doctor.
The CDC is now saying that if it has been 3 days without a fever (without using any medications to treat fever), your symptoms are improving, and it has been at 7 days since the symptoms started, you can stop self-isolating yourself.
Hopefully in the next few days this will be more clear how this illness is going to go. I hope it is a mild case of whatever it is, and that you are feeling back to normal soon.
I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any other questions about that, and I would be glad to discuss it with you further.
Good to hear from you.
Detailed Answer:
Hello, it's good to hear from you again, I'm glad to hear that UTI issue cleared up. Hard to say why, but it does happen often that things will get better over time and it's hard to say exactly what made it clear all of a sudden.
As for the COVID-19 virus, there have been reports of stomach issues, but this almost always is with respiratory symptoms. However, with the higher temperature, sore throat, and muscle aches, I would consider COVID-19 possible (though not likely). To be safe, I would act as though you do have it, and try to isolate from your family as much as possible, especially by wearing a mask if you can, and practicing good hand hygiene (washing hands or using alcohol rub frequently, ever 30-60 minutes). Maintaining a distance of 2 meters from them as much as possible is also advisable.
If you did develop a cough, that would be more suspicious for COVID-19, though keeping in mind it is still more likely to be one of several other viruses that cause the same symptoms. Only if you are starting to have a hard time breathing would I say you need to get seen in person by a doctor.
The CDC is now saying that if it has been 3 days without a fever (without using any medications to treat fever), your symptoms are improving, and it has been at 7 days since the symptoms started, you can stop self-isolating yourself.
Hopefully in the next few days this will be more clear how this illness is going to go. I hope it is a mild case of whatever it is, and that you are feeling back to normal soon.
I hope that helps, please let me know if you have any other questions about that, and I would be glad to discuss it with you further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Hi Dr. Branch,
Thank you so much for your help. This is certainly a scary time and I think we’re all so on edge that we panic if we get sick with anything. I hope you are living in an area with very few COVID cases although I guess the numbers are rising in a lot of places. I just wish the media wouldn’t focus so much on all of the horror stories and worse case scenarios. They make it sound like we’re all going to die! This is really hard on people like me with bad anxiety.
My throat is all better today, thankfully. I just have some phlegm. I still have a low fever that comes and goes and my stomach is still upset. I just feel kind of tired and yucky but I’m still able to do things, etc. Thankfully I am not feeling worse.
I have had viruses that feel like this in the past so I am praying it is one of those and not COVID.
I will follow your instructions to act as though I have it and use proper hygiene and keep things clean.
So you don’t think a call to my doctor is necessary at this point? If my fever increases or if I get a cough, should I call him then? I know to go to the ER if I have trouble breathing.
I mentioned that I have PVCs. Do you know if that makes me more susceptible to problems if I get COVID? They are benign.
Thank you!
Thank you so much for your help. This is certainly a scary time and I think we’re all so on edge that we panic if we get sick with anything. I hope you are living in an area with very few COVID cases although I guess the numbers are rising in a lot of places. I just wish the media wouldn’t focus so much on all of the horror stories and worse case scenarios. They make it sound like we’re all going to die! This is really hard on people like me with bad anxiety.
My throat is all better today, thankfully. I just have some phlegm. I still have a low fever that comes and goes and my stomach is still upset. I just feel kind of tired and yucky but I’m still able to do things, etc. Thankfully I am not feeling worse.
I have had viruses that feel like this in the past so I am praying it is one of those and not COVID.
I will follow your instructions to act as though I have it and use proper hygiene and keep things clean.
So you don’t think a call to my doctor is necessary at this point? If my fever increases or if I get a cough, should I call him then? I know to go to the ER if I have trouble breathing.
I mentioned that I have PVCs. Do you know if that makes me more susceptible to problems if I get COVID? They are benign.
Thank you!
Hi Dr. Branch,
Thank you so much for your help. This is certainly a scary time and I think we’re all so on edge that we panic if we get sick with anything. I hope you are living in an area with very few COVID cases although I guess the numbers are rising in a lot of places. I just wish the media wouldn’t focus so much on all of the horror stories and worse case scenarios. They make it sound like we’re all going to die! This is really hard on people like me with bad anxiety.
My throat is all better today, thankfully. I just have some phlegm. I still have a low fever that comes and goes and my stomach is still upset. I just feel kind of tired and yucky but I’m still able to do things, etc. Thankfully I am not feeling worse.
I have had viruses that feel like this in the past so I am praying it is one of those and not COVID.
I will follow your instructions to act as though I have it and use proper hygiene and keep things clean.
So you don’t think a call to my doctor is necessary at this point? If my fever increases or if I get a cough, should I call him then? I know to go to the ER if I have trouble breathing.
I mentioned that I have PVCs. Do you know if that makes me more susceptible to problems if I get COVID? They are benign.
Thank you!
Thank you so much for your help. This is certainly a scary time and I think we’re all so on edge that we panic if we get sick with anything. I hope you are living in an area with very few COVID cases although I guess the numbers are rising in a lot of places. I just wish the media wouldn’t focus so much on all of the horror stories and worse case scenarios. They make it sound like we’re all going to die! This is really hard on people like me with bad anxiety.
My throat is all better today, thankfully. I just have some phlegm. I still have a low fever that comes and goes and my stomach is still upset. I just feel kind of tired and yucky but I’m still able to do things, etc. Thankfully I am not feeling worse.
I have had viruses that feel like this in the past so I am praying it is one of those and not COVID.
I will follow your instructions to act as though I have it and use proper hygiene and keep things clean.
So you don’t think a call to my doctor is necessary at this point? If my fever increases or if I get a cough, should I call him then? I know to go to the ER if I have trouble breathing.
I mentioned that I have PVCs. Do you know if that makes me more susceptible to problems if I get COVID? They are benign.
Thank you!
Brief Answer:
You're welcome
Detailed Answer:
It sounds like you might have gone through the worst of this mild illness and it's on its way out. I agree this is most likely a viral illness that is not COVID. The only reason to call your doctor would be for testing, which I think it would be reasonable to call to see if they would want to test you. With your symptoms, they may not, but it wouldn't hurt to call. A negative test result would be reassuring (though since this is a mild illness, a positive test result may actually be a good thing, since you wouldn't have to worry about it after you have recovered, which it looks like you will easily). If you do get a fever above 100.4 or cough, then I would definitely call your doctor about testing. And yes, you are right about going to the ER for shortness of breath.
Benign PVCs would not be expected to be a risk factor for complications, and I have not heard any reports that they are either.
Stay safe and try not to worry! We will get through this. Please let me know if I can help with anything else, I would be more than happy to do so.
You're welcome
Detailed Answer:
It sounds like you might have gone through the worst of this mild illness and it's on its way out. I agree this is most likely a viral illness that is not COVID. The only reason to call your doctor would be for testing, which I think it would be reasonable to call to see if they would want to test you. With your symptoms, they may not, but it wouldn't hurt to call. A negative test result would be reassuring (though since this is a mild illness, a positive test result may actually be a good thing, since you wouldn't have to worry about it after you have recovered, which it looks like you will easily). If you do get a fever above 100.4 or cough, then I would definitely call your doctor about testing. And yes, you are right about going to the ER for shortness of breath.
Benign PVCs would not be expected to be a risk factor for complications, and I have not heard any reports that they are either.
Stay safe and try not to worry! We will get through this. Please let me know if I can help with anything else, I would be more than happy to do so.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Brief Answer:
You're welcome
Detailed Answer:
It sounds like you might have gone through the worst of this mild illness and it's on its way out. I agree this is most likely a viral illness that is not COVID. The only reason to call your doctor would be for testing, which I think it would be reasonable to call to see if they would want to test you. With your symptoms, they may not, but it wouldn't hurt to call. A negative test result would be reassuring (though since this is a mild illness, a positive test result may actually be a good thing, since you wouldn't have to worry about it after you have recovered, which it looks like you will easily). If you do get a fever above 100.4 or cough, then I would definitely call your doctor about testing. And yes, you are right about going to the ER for shortness of breath.
Benign PVCs would not be expected to be a risk factor for complications, and I have not heard any reports that they are either.
Stay safe and try not to worry! We will get through this. Please let me know if I can help with anything else, I would be more than happy to do so.
You're welcome
Detailed Answer:
It sounds like you might have gone through the worst of this mild illness and it's on its way out. I agree this is most likely a viral illness that is not COVID. The only reason to call your doctor would be for testing, which I think it would be reasonable to call to see if they would want to test you. With your symptoms, they may not, but it wouldn't hurt to call. A negative test result would be reassuring (though since this is a mild illness, a positive test result may actually be a good thing, since you wouldn't have to worry about it after you have recovered, which it looks like you will easily). If you do get a fever above 100.4 or cough, then I would definitely call your doctor about testing. And yes, you are right about going to the ER for shortness of breath.
Benign PVCs would not be expected to be a risk factor for complications, and I have not heard any reports that they are either.
Stay safe and try not to worry! We will get through this. Please let me know if I can help with anything else, I would be more than happy to do so.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Hi Dr. Branch,
Thank you for all of your help!
I am a little confused about what is going on with me. Thankfully most of my symptoms have cleared up and I am feeling much better. My throat felt better on Sunday and the achiness was gone by Tuesday. My stomach has been feeling much better now and I am not registering the low fever as frequently in the last 24 hours. All of that is great! The only problem I’m having is that I have had tightness in my chest since Sunday. It remains the same each day. I have had asthma in the past so I have puffers. I called my doctor today and he said that the tightness was what concerns him the most. By the way, I do not have a cough or other cold symptoms and I am not struggling to breathe or speak. I just feel the tightness I usually get if my asthma flares up, which is very infrequent. My doctor said if this were Covid, I would be considered a mild case so I do not qualify for testing in our area. He told me that most people with Covid begin to have breathing problems 7-10 days after the symptoms first appeared. I started with a low fever Friday night but the other symptoms didn’t appear until Sunday so I’m not sure if I’m supposed to start counting at Friday or Sunday??
Anyway, he told me to call him back if I start to get worse. He also tried to assure me that this could be another virus and not Covid but I guess we can’t rule anything out right now.
So, as today progressed I realized something and hadn’t thought of it on the phone with my doctor. I have problems with my back and since everything has been shutting down, I have been unable to see my chiropractor in almost a month (I usually go weekly). I can tell that my upper back is definitely tight and sore, and my ribs hurt when I press on them. That is what happens to me when I miss adjustments. In the past, my chest has tightened and feels the way it feels now (like it’s my asthma acting up) and I will say to my chiropractor that my chest feels tight and sore, and I feel like I need to use my puffers. I remember my back getting this way one time and I assumed it was my asthma. I was using my puffers but they wouldn’t work and my chest continued to feel tight. I then realized it was likely my back so I had adjustments and that helped.
So, I know I have definitely had some type of virus this week but now that I am feeling better, I’m just not sure if this tightness is due to the virus or my back. I have been using my puffers today but have not found they have done anything to change the tightness. Normally when I use my puffers the tightness settles down and I get a lot of phlegm. That is not happening.
I am in a bit of a conundrum because my chiropractor is closed but is willing to take emergencies. I am not sure how bad it needs to be to be an emergency but I have a feeling he would take me given how well he knows me and what an anxious person I am. However, I am not sure if I am able to see him since I have had viral symptoms this week and don’t know for sure if it’s a virus or my back causing the tightness. I know you had mentioned the CDC guidelines about being able to stop self isolating. Do you know if they are still the same? I have been told that in our area we are supposed to self isolate for 14 days if we have any symptoms or until you have been symptom free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. You can only go out to receive medical treatment. I’m not sure if that would include chiropractic.
I’m sorry this is a lot of information but I’m just trying to figure out what to do. We have been told that we may have to practice social distancing for 12 more weeks. I’m not sure I can wait that long to see my chiropractor if my back is getting bad.
I would appreciate any advice you might have. This situation is a bit odd!
Thank you for all of your help!
I am a little confused about what is going on with me. Thankfully most of my symptoms have cleared up and I am feeling much better. My throat felt better on Sunday and the achiness was gone by Tuesday. My stomach has been feeling much better now and I am not registering the low fever as frequently in the last 24 hours. All of that is great! The only problem I’m having is that I have had tightness in my chest since Sunday. It remains the same each day. I have had asthma in the past so I have puffers. I called my doctor today and he said that the tightness was what concerns him the most. By the way, I do not have a cough or other cold symptoms and I am not struggling to breathe or speak. I just feel the tightness I usually get if my asthma flares up, which is very infrequent. My doctor said if this were Covid, I would be considered a mild case so I do not qualify for testing in our area. He told me that most people with Covid begin to have breathing problems 7-10 days after the symptoms first appeared. I started with a low fever Friday night but the other symptoms didn’t appear until Sunday so I’m not sure if I’m supposed to start counting at Friday or Sunday??
Anyway, he told me to call him back if I start to get worse. He also tried to assure me that this could be another virus and not Covid but I guess we can’t rule anything out right now.
So, as today progressed I realized something and hadn’t thought of it on the phone with my doctor. I have problems with my back and since everything has been shutting down, I have been unable to see my chiropractor in almost a month (I usually go weekly). I can tell that my upper back is definitely tight and sore, and my ribs hurt when I press on them. That is what happens to me when I miss adjustments. In the past, my chest has tightened and feels the way it feels now (like it’s my asthma acting up) and I will say to my chiropractor that my chest feels tight and sore, and I feel like I need to use my puffers. I remember my back getting this way one time and I assumed it was my asthma. I was using my puffers but they wouldn’t work and my chest continued to feel tight. I then realized it was likely my back so I had adjustments and that helped.
So, I know I have definitely had some type of virus this week but now that I am feeling better, I’m just not sure if this tightness is due to the virus or my back. I have been using my puffers today but have not found they have done anything to change the tightness. Normally when I use my puffers the tightness settles down and I get a lot of phlegm. That is not happening.
I am in a bit of a conundrum because my chiropractor is closed but is willing to take emergencies. I am not sure how bad it needs to be to be an emergency but I have a feeling he would take me given how well he knows me and what an anxious person I am. However, I am not sure if I am able to see him since I have had viral symptoms this week and don’t know for sure if it’s a virus or my back causing the tightness. I know you had mentioned the CDC guidelines about being able to stop self isolating. Do you know if they are still the same? I have been told that in our area we are supposed to self isolate for 14 days if we have any symptoms or until you have been symptom free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. You can only go out to receive medical treatment. I’m not sure if that would include chiropractic.
I’m sorry this is a lot of information but I’m just trying to figure out what to do. We have been told that we may have to practice social distancing for 12 more weeks. I’m not sure I can wait that long to see my chiropractor if my back is getting bad.
I would appreciate any advice you might have. This situation is a bit odd!
Hi Dr. Branch,
Thank you for all of your help!
I am a little confused about what is going on with me. Thankfully most of my symptoms have cleared up and I am feeling much better. My throat felt better on Sunday and the achiness was gone by Tuesday. My stomach has been feeling much better now and I am not registering the low fever as frequently in the last 24 hours. All of that is great! The only problem I’m having is that I have had tightness in my chest since Sunday. It remains the same each day. I have had asthma in the past so I have puffers. I called my doctor today and he said that the tightness was what concerns him the most. By the way, I do not have a cough or other cold symptoms and I am not struggling to breathe or speak. I just feel the tightness I usually get if my asthma flares up, which is very infrequent. My doctor said if this were Covid, I would be considered a mild case so I do not qualify for testing in our area. He told me that most people with Covid begin to have breathing problems 7-10 days after the symptoms first appeared. I started with a low fever Friday night but the other symptoms didn’t appear until Sunday so I’m not sure if I’m supposed to start counting at Friday or Sunday??
Anyway, he told me to call him back if I start to get worse. He also tried to assure me that this could be another virus and not Covid but I guess we can’t rule anything out right now.
So, as today progressed I realized something and hadn’t thought of it on the phone with my doctor. I have problems with my back and since everything has been shutting down, I have been unable to see my chiropractor in almost a month (I usually go weekly). I can tell that my upper back is definitely tight and sore, and my ribs hurt when I press on them. That is what happens to me when I miss adjustments. In the past, my chest has tightened and feels the way it feels now (like it’s my asthma acting up) and I will say to my chiropractor that my chest feels tight and sore, and I feel like I need to use my puffers. I remember my back getting this way one time and I assumed it was my asthma. I was using my puffers but they wouldn’t work and my chest continued to feel tight. I then realized it was likely my back so I had adjustments and that helped.
So, I know I have definitely had some type of virus this week but now that I am feeling better, I’m just not sure if this tightness is due to the virus or my back. I have been using my puffers today but have not found they have done anything to change the tightness. Normally when I use my puffers the tightness settles down and I get a lot of phlegm. That is not happening.
I am in a bit of a conundrum because my chiropractor is closed but is willing to take emergencies. I am not sure how bad it needs to be to be an emergency but I have a feeling he would take me given how well he knows me and what an anxious person I am. However, I am not sure if I am able to see him since I have had viral symptoms this week and don’t know for sure if it’s a virus or my back causing the tightness. I know you had mentioned the CDC guidelines about being able to stop self isolating. Do you know if they are still the same? I have been told that in our area we are supposed to self isolate for 14 days if we have any symptoms or until you have been symptom free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. You can only go out to receive medical treatment. I’m not sure if that would include chiropractic.
I’m sorry this is a lot of information but I’m just trying to figure out what to do. We have been told that we may have to practice social distancing for 12 more weeks. I’m not sure I can wait that long to see my chiropractor if my back is getting bad.
I would appreciate any advice you might have. This situation is a bit odd!
Thank you for all of your help!
I am a little confused about what is going on with me. Thankfully most of my symptoms have cleared up and I am feeling much better. My throat felt better on Sunday and the achiness was gone by Tuesday. My stomach has been feeling much better now and I am not registering the low fever as frequently in the last 24 hours. All of that is great! The only problem I’m having is that I have had tightness in my chest since Sunday. It remains the same each day. I have had asthma in the past so I have puffers. I called my doctor today and he said that the tightness was what concerns him the most. By the way, I do not have a cough or other cold symptoms and I am not struggling to breathe or speak. I just feel the tightness I usually get if my asthma flares up, which is very infrequent. My doctor said if this were Covid, I would be considered a mild case so I do not qualify for testing in our area. He told me that most people with Covid begin to have breathing problems 7-10 days after the symptoms first appeared. I started with a low fever Friday night but the other symptoms didn’t appear until Sunday so I’m not sure if I’m supposed to start counting at Friday or Sunday??
Anyway, he told me to call him back if I start to get worse. He also tried to assure me that this could be another virus and not Covid but I guess we can’t rule anything out right now.
So, as today progressed I realized something and hadn’t thought of it on the phone with my doctor. I have problems with my back and since everything has been shutting down, I have been unable to see my chiropractor in almost a month (I usually go weekly). I can tell that my upper back is definitely tight and sore, and my ribs hurt when I press on them. That is what happens to me when I miss adjustments. In the past, my chest has tightened and feels the way it feels now (like it’s my asthma acting up) and I will say to my chiropractor that my chest feels tight and sore, and I feel like I need to use my puffers. I remember my back getting this way one time and I assumed it was my asthma. I was using my puffers but they wouldn’t work and my chest continued to feel tight. I then realized it was likely my back so I had adjustments and that helped.
So, I know I have definitely had some type of virus this week but now that I am feeling better, I’m just not sure if this tightness is due to the virus or my back. I have been using my puffers today but have not found they have done anything to change the tightness. Normally when I use my puffers the tightness settles down and I get a lot of phlegm. That is not happening.
I am in a bit of a conundrum because my chiropractor is closed but is willing to take emergencies. I am not sure how bad it needs to be to be an emergency but I have a feeling he would take me given how well he knows me and what an anxious person I am. However, I am not sure if I am able to see him since I have had viral symptoms this week and don’t know for sure if it’s a virus or my back causing the tightness. I know you had mentioned the CDC guidelines about being able to stop self isolating. Do you know if they are still the same? I have been told that in our area we are supposed to self isolate for 14 days if we have any symptoms or until you have been symptom free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. You can only go out to receive medical treatment. I’m not sure if that would include chiropractic.
I’m sorry this is a lot of information but I’m just trying to figure out what to do. We have been told that we may have to practice social distancing for 12 more weeks. I’m not sure I can wait that long to see my chiropractor if my back is getting bad.
I would appreciate any advice you might have. This situation is a bit odd!
Brief Answer:
Sorry for the wait.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again, sorry for the wait, as you can imagine, things have been busier than usual lately. Your doctor is right about getting breathing problems usually within 7-10 days after symptoms start. Since you started having the fever on Friday, I would count from that day, and so since it has been almost a week since then, hopefully this is about as bad as it is going to be (if by chance it was COVID-19).
The 14 days and symptom free for 24 hours was the recommendation that I heard about before the CDC guidelines came out, I would consider the CDC guidelines to replace those. So as long as you have not had a fever for 3 days, symptoms are improving, and it has been at least 7 days since symptoms started, technically you could stop self-isolation. If it was possible to stay isolated until symptoms are gone for 24 hours, however, I would advise that just to be safe.
In your situation, I would probably wait a week or two if you can tolerate it. That should give it time to completely resolve if it is a viral illness, and perhaps if it is your back, it may improve with adjustment as well. If the tightness persists, and you have no other symptoms, then I think it would be safer to contact your chiropractor.
In the meantime, you can try taking Tylenol (there is some concern with using NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen with COVID-19, so it may be best to avoid them if possible). If you are able to apply heat, such as a heating pad or warm bath, that may help as well. Stretching exercises (you could look up stretching exercises for back tightness on Youtube) and massage can be helpful as well. Hopefully these conservative treatment will help make it manageable until you can safely get further treatment.
I hope that all makes sense and helps some. Please let me know if I can help with anything else and I would be more than happy to help anyway I can.
Sorry for the wait.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again, sorry for the wait, as you can imagine, things have been busier than usual lately. Your doctor is right about getting breathing problems usually within 7-10 days after symptoms start. Since you started having the fever on Friday, I would count from that day, and so since it has been almost a week since then, hopefully this is about as bad as it is going to be (if by chance it was COVID-19).
The 14 days and symptom free for 24 hours was the recommendation that I heard about before the CDC guidelines came out, I would consider the CDC guidelines to replace those. So as long as you have not had a fever for 3 days, symptoms are improving, and it has been at least 7 days since symptoms started, technically you could stop self-isolation. If it was possible to stay isolated until symptoms are gone for 24 hours, however, I would advise that just to be safe.
In your situation, I would probably wait a week or two if you can tolerate it. That should give it time to completely resolve if it is a viral illness, and perhaps if it is your back, it may improve with adjustment as well. If the tightness persists, and you have no other symptoms, then I think it would be safer to contact your chiropractor.
In the meantime, you can try taking Tylenol (there is some concern with using NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen with COVID-19, so it may be best to avoid them if possible). If you are able to apply heat, such as a heating pad or warm bath, that may help as well. Stretching exercises (you could look up stretching exercises for back tightness on Youtube) and massage can be helpful as well. Hopefully these conservative treatment will help make it manageable until you can safely get further treatment.
I hope that all makes sense and helps some. Please let me know if I can help with anything else and I would be more than happy to help anyway I can.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Brief Answer:
Sorry for the wait.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again, sorry for the wait, as you can imagine, things have been busier than usual lately. Your doctor is right about getting breathing problems usually within 7-10 days after symptoms start. Since you started having the fever on Friday, I would count from that day, and so since it has been almost a week since then, hopefully this is about as bad as it is going to be (if by chance it was COVID-19).
The 14 days and symptom free for 24 hours was the recommendation that I heard about before the CDC guidelines came out, I would consider the CDC guidelines to replace those. So as long as you have not had a fever for 3 days, symptoms are improving, and it has been at least 7 days since symptoms started, technically you could stop self-isolation. If it was possible to stay isolated until symptoms are gone for 24 hours, however, I would advise that just to be safe.
In your situation, I would probably wait a week or two if you can tolerate it. That should give it time to completely resolve if it is a viral illness, and perhaps if it is your back, it may improve with adjustment as well. If the tightness persists, and you have no other symptoms, then I think it would be safer to contact your chiropractor.
In the meantime, you can try taking Tylenol (there is some concern with using NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen with COVID-19, so it may be best to avoid them if possible). If you are able to apply heat, such as a heating pad or warm bath, that may help as well. Stretching exercises (you could look up stretching exercises for back tightness on Youtube) and massage can be helpful as well. Hopefully these conservative treatment will help make it manageable until you can safely get further treatment.
I hope that all makes sense and helps some. Please let me know if I can help with anything else and I would be more than happy to help anyway I can.
Sorry for the wait.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again, sorry for the wait, as you can imagine, things have been busier than usual lately. Your doctor is right about getting breathing problems usually within 7-10 days after symptoms start. Since you started having the fever on Friday, I would count from that day, and so since it has been almost a week since then, hopefully this is about as bad as it is going to be (if by chance it was COVID-19).
The 14 days and symptom free for 24 hours was the recommendation that I heard about before the CDC guidelines came out, I would consider the CDC guidelines to replace those. So as long as you have not had a fever for 3 days, symptoms are improving, and it has been at least 7 days since symptoms started, technically you could stop self-isolation. If it was possible to stay isolated until symptoms are gone for 24 hours, however, I would advise that just to be safe.
In your situation, I would probably wait a week or two if you can tolerate it. That should give it time to completely resolve if it is a viral illness, and perhaps if it is your back, it may improve with adjustment as well. If the tightness persists, and you have no other symptoms, then I think it would be safer to contact your chiropractor.
In the meantime, you can try taking Tylenol (there is some concern with using NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen with COVID-19, so it may be best to avoid them if possible). If you are able to apply heat, such as a heating pad or warm bath, that may help as well. Stretching exercises (you could look up stretching exercises for back tightness on Youtube) and massage can be helpful as well. Hopefully these conservative treatment will help make it manageable until you can safely get further treatment.
I hope that all makes sense and helps some. Please let me know if I can help with anything else and I would be more than happy to help anyway I can.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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