[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Wyseguy

Went to the hospital walk in. Had fever and a wicked sore throat. They tested for strep (multiple strains , and the current flu) I asked about testing for covid. Dr told me it would take 2 - 3 days for them to get the results, and cost me 150.00 for the test. If I really wanted to know do a home test or go to (gave me the location of free testing). I asked about meds as I am an "at risk" individual. Her response was that, if I wanted treatment buy a drugstore test and bring it back to them if positive. If I insisted they would give me the meds based on that. Went on to say she would not advise taking the meds unless I was horizontal. The way they are dealing with it now if, if you are vertical, go home and you will most likely beat it in 3 to 5 days. If you are horizontal, unable to walk without sitting, difficulty breathing etc, then they give the meds. She advised against taking them unless you were on the way to the hospital. I "ASSUME" that this is a new strain? Being told not to worry is a very different message.

That seems to be poor advice. Since the Paxlovid meds (and the antibody meds before that) work best if administered in the first five days, waiting until you are horizontal puts you beyond the help of those.

On the other hand, most people seem to be recovering without any assistance at all.

It probably wouldn't hurt to get a second opinion, especially if one is high risk. We did that. Would we have recovered without the Paxlovid? Probably. Did the Paxlovid speed the recover? We felt better the very next day.