of respiratory illnesses every year, while adults develop two to four episodes. Cold-like symptoms generally go away without specific treatment.
I’d urge anyone to take a home test for Covid-19 if they develop cold-like symptoms if they are 65 and over, 50 and over with underlying medical conditions, or are immunocompromised or have serious pre-existing illnesses affecting their heart and lungs. If it’s positive, they could take Paxlovid if eligible, and if not, they could ask their health care provider for the other oral antiviral treatment, molnupiravir, or the antiviral injection remdesivir.
It’s also important for people who are living in the same household as someone who is vulnerable to test for Covid-19 early and often. The coronavirus is highly contagious, and if you are positive, you could take proactive steps to isolate from the high-risk people living with you. Most people with cold-like symptoms do not need a viral panel for this reason. There are some circumstances where physicians may advise full viral testing—for instance if an immunocompromised patient is very ill. However, most people will not need to find out exactly what virus is causing their symptoms, since it won’t change what treatment they receive.Let’s take each of these situations separately. Schools generally have policies around such illnesses.