Coronavirus/COVID-19

[footscray1973]

Don't know if this has been mentioned, but just heard on the radio (medical/nurse spokesperson) that nurses don't have priority access to RAT tests (i.e. they, don't have priority for a public test nor do they get any to take home). They can only be tested if they come into work. So if you are a nurse with someone at home who has tested positive, you have to go into work (after your 40 minute commute or whatever), get a test at your place of work & if you are positive you get sent home. That means your place of work is down a staff member for the shift. That's a disgrace. They should be provided with RAT for home use.

Ballarat Health have issued small batches of RATs to some nursing staff (not aware if all at this stage), and they are required to test themselves at home before commencement of each shift. Did the person on the radio mention any specific hospitals/settings?

Edit: this only came into effect late last week btw, and there is no indication of what supply they have to continue this practice, initial hand-out was 5 RATs.

 

[Northernsoul74]

It seems that PCR test queues are significantly shorter than they were prior to the rule change (as you'd expect). It obviously varies but I've had a few family members get tested separately in recent days and they've been in and out in less than an hour, with results arriving same day or next morning.

I got a pcr last thurs as both my kids tested positive to RAT last weds. Showgrounds was fine to get a test. Under an hour.
Thankfully we all get to come out of iso tomorrow.

 

[BrisDog]

That's my current predicament. I'm pretty certain I've got COVID right now but I cbf trying to source a test.

What symptoms do you have Scrag?

 

[NBates]

Ballarat Health have issued small batches of RATs to some nursing staff (not aware if all at this stage), and they are required to test themselves at home before commencement of each shift. Did the person on the radio mention any specific hospitals/settings?

Edit: this only came into effect late last week btw, and there is no indication of what supply they have to continue this practice, initial hand-out was 5 RATs.

No he didn't mention specific places, but he was a spokesperson (maybe it was union or something), but they did have a caller nurse 'Jane" beforehand who gave a specific example as one of her kids had it, but she didn't have access to a test herself.

 

[ScragCity]

What symptoms do you have Scrag?

Sore throat, congested sinuses, lethargy and one weird symptom:

Around mid morning I started to get very sensitive and sore nipples with a mild burning sensation. The burning wasn't too painful, actually in a way it felt strangely pleasurable. I made a mental note to explore that a bit more when I'm well again. But by mid-afternoon the nipple pain was quite excruciating and no longer pleasurable at all. Not sure if that's a COVID symptom or not but I've never experienced anything like it.

 

[BrisDog]

Sore throat, congested sinuses, lethargy and one weird symptom:

Around mid morning I started to get very sensitive and sore nipples with a mild burning sensation. The burning wasn't too painful, actually in a way it felt strangely pleasurable. I made a mental note to explore that a bit more when I'm well again. But by mid-afternoon the nipple pain was quite excruciating and no longer pleasurable at all. Not sure if that's a COVID symptom or not but I've never experienced anything like it.

Ah yes, ‘mastalgia’ it is known as. Definitely Omnicron, I think about 10% of positive cases go through similar arousal/pain. Best treatment is to cut out small holes in your upper garments to cool off the sensitive pectoral regions.

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

Sore throat, congested sinuses, lethargy and one weird symptom:

Around mid morning I started to get very sensitive and sore nipples with a mild burning sensation. The burning wasn't too painful, actually in a way it felt strangely pleasurable. I made a mental note to explore that a bit more when I'm well again. But by mid-afternoon the nipple pain was quite excruciating and no longer pleasurable at all. Not sure if that's a COVID symptom or not but I've never experienced anything like it.

It’s probably fatal. Been nice knowin ya

 

[LittleG]

Sore throat, congested sinuses, lethargy and one weird symptom:

Around mid morning I started to get very sensitive and sore nipples with a mild burning sensation. The burning wasn't too painful, actually in a way it felt strangely pleasurable. I made a mental note to explore that a bit more when I'm well again. But by mid-afternoon the nipple pain was quite excruciating and no longer pleasurable at all. Not sure if that's a COVID symptom or not but I've never experienced anything like it.

Time for a name change?

Covidcity?
Scragcovid?

 

[NBates]

Where do people think they are picking it up from? Are kids the worst transmitters? I went to a sit down show on Sat night. No social distancing, although I was able to move into spare seat to distance myself and thankfully I haven't picked it up. Also had 2nd shot the week before.

 

[footscray1973]

Health system issues about to be compounded with education system issues:

Australia's schools are facing a perfect storm — and it's not just COVID

Australia was already facing a growing teacher shortage before the pandemic. But it's about to get much worse — and we need a national plan, now, write Rachel Wilson and Giuseppe Carabetta.

www.abc.net.au

So, who was expecting 2022 to be better than the two preceding years?

Some kids returning to on-campus school this year may not get the ideal learning experience, following two years of interrupted learning swinging between home learning and class-room learning. Unfortunately for them, the roller coaster ride may continue, challenging time for students, but also the education system, various fed and state ministers, schools and parents to support all these kids.

 

[bresker]

I was at a music festival at which numerous friends and acquaintances caught it. I haven't had a test but I was feeling throaty and run down for a few days. Now I've got this weird recurrent blocked ear which comes and goes in varying levels of intensity. It's not a regular ear infection, as I've had a few in the past and know the symptoms. I hope it goes away soon as it's affecting my enjoyment of music:

New evidence that SARS-CoV-2 virus can infect the inner ear

Many Covid-19 patients have reported symptoms affecting the ears, including hearing loss and tinnitus. Dizziness and balance problems can also occur, suggesting that the SARS-CoV-2 virus may be able to infect the inner ear.

www.news-medical.net

 

[Charlie Bucket]

I was at a music festival at which numerous friends and acquaintances caught it. I haven't had a test but I was feeling throaty and run down for a few days. Now I've got this weird recurrent blocked ear which comes and goes in varying levels of intensity. It's not a regular ear infection, as I've had a few in the past and know the symptoms. I hope it goes away soon as it's affecting my enjoyment of music:

New evidence that SARS-CoV-2 virus can infect the inner ear

Many Covid-19 patients have reported symptoms affecting the ears, including hearing loss and tinnitus. Dizziness and balance problems can also occur, suggesting that the SARS-CoV-2 virus may be able to infect the inner ear.

www.news-medical.net

I’ve got it currently and have had blocked ears for a couple of days. Can’t unblock them no matter what I do. Strange feeling.

Do yourself a favour and get tested. Sounds like your other symptoms were similar to mine before I got real crook.

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

I’ve got it currently and have had blocked ears for a couple of days. Can’t unblock them no matter what I do. Strange feeling.

Do yourself a favour and get tested. Sounds like your other symptoms were similar to mine before I got real crook.

Ear Clear, Waxol, or a DIY syringe

 

[dogwatch]

Ear Clear, Waxol, or a DIY syringe

Gently gently with the DIY. Middle/inner ears are delicate things.

 

[Fossie 32]

Ear Clear, Waxol, or a DIY syringe

Not if its an inner ear issue

 

[ScragCity]

Not if its an inner ear issue

Exactly. Those remedies will only work for excessive wax build up. Thats unlikely to be whats happening if its due to COVID. More likely a lot of cells have died in the inner ear which is impairing hearing. The ear isn't actually blocked, it just seems that way because you normally associate hearing loss with a blocked ear. It's the same mechanism by which many experience loss of smell and taste. Not a physician so happy to be corrected.

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

Seems an odd symptom but if it’s related to covid get it checked out by your doc. Friend of mine went permanently deaf in one ear as a result of a virus (not covid) and was told a timely steroid injection could have prevented it.

 

[ScragCity]

Seems an odd symptom but if it’s related to covid get it checked out by your doc. Friend of mine went permanently deaf in one ear as a result of a virus (not covid) and was told a timely steroid injection could have prevented it.

Will a doctor see a patient who is confirmed COVID positive?

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

Will a doctor see a patient who is confirmed COVID positive?

If the deafness lasts beyond the Covid recovery, he could. My friend’s problem lasted several weeks before the GP agreed to refer him to an ear specialist; by then it was too late . I wanted him to sue the GP

 

[ScragCity]

So tonight I was watching the telly and I saw one of the chief medical something or other woman asked about getting a booster after an infection. Her advice was that if you've been infected that you should go and get a booster as soon as you've recovered. I mean...really? Where's the science to back that up? Are they just trying to sound like shills for big pharma at this point?

 

[Mantis Toboggan]

So tonight I was watching the telly and I saw one of the chief medical something or other woman asked about getting a booster after an infection. Her advice was that if you've been infected that you should go and get a booster as soon as you've recovered. I mean...really? Where's the science to back that up? Are they just trying to sound like shills for big pharma at this point?

Yeah I’d like to know the answer to this from a scientific perspective. That advice doesn’t seem right on the face of it.

 

[D Mitchell]

Good man,

 

[D Mitchell]

..oops, Scrag, Ned is proud of you. A bit of personal independence. Our ancestors’ spirit. We are all here because we don’t want to skulk and blame Govt’s ineptitude. Love the mischief in you.

 

[bresker]

So you've had COVID. When should you get a booster or vaccine?

As Omicron cases soar, many people are faced with having to re-book their vaccination appointments. Here are some principles to help you decide when to lock it in, writes Margie Danchin.

www.abc.net.au

“

1. I'm an adult with COVID, and have had to postpone my booster appointment. So when can I get it?​

The current ATAGI advice is that you can have your booster once you have recovered from the acute infection.

But based on vaccinology principles, it would be reasonable to consider waiting at least three months after you're well to get your booster dose. A COVID infection stimulates the immune system like a vaccine, meaning you will produce antibodies that help increase your protection against COVID.”

 

[The Buck]

So you've had COVID. When should you get a booster or vaccine?

As Omicron cases soar, many people are faced with having to re-book their vaccination appointments. Here are some principles to help you decide when to lock it in, writes Margie Danchin.

www.abc.net.au

“

1. I'm an adult with COVID, and have had to postpone my booster appointment. So when can I get it?​

The current ATAGI advice is that you can have your booster once you have recovered from the acute infection.

But based on vaccinology principles, it would be reasonable to consider waiting at least three months after you're well to get your booster dose. A COVID infection stimulates the immune system like a vaccine, meaning you will produce antibodies that help increase your protection against COVID.”

Here's what Norman Swan has to say about it:

‘Two things’ that make Omicron different

Australian doctor Norman Swan has rallied against a commonly held misconception about the Omicron variant, as the nation continues to record a surge in deaths and hospitalisations.

www.news.com.au