[blueash]

Originally Posted by Byte1

.. I have heard (right or wrong) that the Covid test will test positive for the Flu. Is that true?

It is not true. There can be rare errors in testing but the test for flu is specific for influenza while the test for Covid is specific for Covid-19 It of course is also possible for an unlucky person to have simultaneous infections. There are commercial products that test for both diseases with a single sample but the result tells you which one is positive, or both positive, or neither positive.

[blueash]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

The flu is not a "covid" virus. It is an influenza virus. That's why it's called the flu. Even COVID-19 isn't a "covid" virus. It is a coronavirus. The term COVID-19 is derived from "coronavirus disease 2019." The illness people refer to as "a cold" is also a coronavirus. But no, the flu is NOT a corinavirus, of the 19 variety or otherwise.

You were doing so well until that enlarged sentence. While there are some "colds" caused by coronaviruses, the overwhelming majority of common colds are not.

Causes of the Common Cold
Many different respiratory viruses can cause the common cold, but rhinoviruses are the most common. Rhinoviruses can also trigger asthma attacks and have been linked to sinus and ear infections. Other viruses that can cause colds include respiratory syncytial virus, human parainfluenza viruses, adenovirus, common human coronaviruses, and human metapneumovirus

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by blueash

It is not true. There can be rare errors in testing but the test for flu is specific for influenza while the test for Covid is specific for Covid-19 It of course is also possible for an unlucky person to have simultaneous infections. There are commercial products that test for both diseases with a single sample but the result tells you which one is positive, or both positive, or neither positive.

And there is someone who could be considered "an expert"...

[Packer Fan]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

Test.

From the sufferer's perspective, not much difference. I've had 'em both. The flu several times over the years, and COVID last year. Not much fun but in all honesty I've been sicker with the flu. Several times.

Everyone is different - my formerly Anti-Vax best friend spent 2 weeks in the Villages hospital and to be honest I was not sure he would make it out. He spent 6 more weeks on Oxygen, but is largely better now. Have never heard of a 58 year old having that bad a case of the flu. He used to sound like you - now he says "this ain't no flu, way worse". Just sayin. This has killed a lot more people too.....

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Packer Fan

Everyone is different - my formerly Anti-Vax best friend spent 2 weeks in the Villages hospital and to be honest I was not sure he would make it out. He spent 6 more weeks on Oxygen, but is largely better now. Have never heard of a 58 year old having that bad a case of the flu. He used to sound like you - now he says "this ain't no flu, way worse". Just sayin. This has killed a lot more people too.....

58 yos can and do have bad cases of the flu. Some even die...

But I'll not get into another "vaccine debate". No point...

[Bellavita]

It amazes me when one poses a question to the public when it is a question for a doctor. I don’t know it’s kinda like getting your critical thinking from Joe Rogan.

[jimkerr]

Originally Posted by Michael G.

Hello Villages, knower of all things.

How can they (doctors) tell if you have the flue or have Covid 19?

The same way they determine anything else. You get tested.

[mkjelenbaas]

You may want to call your doctor instead of getting your info here!

[Susan1717]

I had Covid 9 months ago. I go every 2 months for my antibody test and they are still sky high. I only know of one person that gets their antibodies tested that has been vaccinated. We are only given percentages on the news…. I’d like to see public test results on our average of actual antibody numbers before and after each shot or booster, not just bland percentages. They must have exact numbers in order to present percentages. I have 2 friends that got their first vaccination 3 months after Covid and got extremely sick for 4-5 days. Is it because their antibody level was too high still? At 3 months mine was over 2.5. Mine have now stabilized at 1.5 and have not gone down from that. My friend is only at 0.87 after 2 vaccinations. I think if we were given more exact statistics, everyone would feel more trusting and at ease.
I’m also curious as to the number of cases that have had Covid on 2 separate times and the timeline between each episode. Thank you for any info on this.

[Villages Kahuna]

Got both at the same time in my doctor’s office. No problems whatsoever.

Originally Posted by dblwyr

They test for it.

Not that science card again?

Love this!

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Bellavita

It amazes me when one poses a question to the public when it is a question for a doctor. I don’t know it’s kinda like getting your critical thinking from Joe Rogan.

Too bad there are no actual Doctors on this board....

[Cheiro]

Originally Posted by Michael G.

Hello Villages, knower of all things.

How can they (doctors) tell if you have the flue or have Covid 19?

That's easy, the doctors train for 6+ years to identify diseases and medical conditions. And of course, the flu and Covid19 are very different conditions.

[Beyond The Wall]

PCR test gives many false positives. That is the reason it will NOT be use anymore in December, as per CDC guidelines! The cycle it test at makes all the difference in the world. Range is 10-50. Any above 25 will almost always give a positive result. If you get tested ask what cycle they test at. No one will tell you. Each state is different.
Do your own research ! Don’t depend on news anchors or blogs like this.

[Beplion]

Nasal swab