Stop Six Community COVID Myths & Facts Diagnosing Respiratory Viruses December 2022 Why are people diagnosed with the flu from one doctor, then COVID-19 from another doctor? INFORMATION • A person can have COVID-19, the flu, and a cold all at the same time. • Having one respiratory illness does not protect a person from getting another one. • When a patient sees a doctor and tests positive for one virus, they probably had it at that time. • They may also have the beginning stages of another virus that was not yet detectable. Is there any consistent way to diagnose and treat respiratory viruses? If so, what is it? YES • Testing is the best way to get a proper diagnosis. • If the test is not done at the right time, the virus may not be caught when the symptoms first start. • All respiratory viruses must run their course. Medications may relieve discomfort but will not get rid of the virus. • Medicines called “retrovirals” can shorten the life span of COVID-19 and flu. Those tend to be used for patients with the most health problems (asthma, COPD, cancer, etc.). Do all health providers use the same methods for diagnosing respiratory viruses? YES • The tests used to diagnose COVID-19 and the flu are the same for all health providers. • Sometimes providers do not run a test if the patient’s symptoms are mild. They may choose instead to suggest a diagnosis based on symptoms. • The diagnosis “Flu-Like Illness” is used for someone who has flu symptoms but is not tested. • For people with chronic diseases like diabetes or heart disease, most providers will test for RSV, COVID-19 and the flu depending on the symptoms the patient is having. Sources https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-tests/ https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/flu-influenza-test/ https://medlineplus.gov/covid19testing.html