I tested positive for covid on 1/14. No symptoms other than loss of taste and smell until Day 14. Then tested positive for flu and pneumonia. Have since fully recovered. Today everything smells rancid or acrid and I have no taste and I have a fever.

Should I get re-tested?

Thanks I'm advance for any thoughts.

It's possible yet highly unlikely. There have been some though and you might be part of that "lucky" few. Honestly, I'd not fault you if you just give it a few more days and if it clears up you decide not to test. A lot of viruses mess up smell and taste. So it could still be something else. But testing is the only real way to know. Just depends if you want to quarantine again or even can quarantine.

Have you been vaccinated?

Why not test? Cost? Time? I personally would want to know and would be interested in data about reinfection.

If you test negative, you get peace of mind. The likelihood of a symptomatic re-infection and a false negative would be pretty low in my opinion.

If you test positive, then you can't definitively say if you're re-infected, or you're still just shedding virus from the first infection. I've seen people continue to test positive for nearly 3 months - either that or they were really re-infected and I just didn't believe it.

So, my question to you is how do you plan on using the test results? If you are positive, are you going to isolate for 10 days from symptom onset? If so, then get tested. If you're going to assume it's a false positive from the first infection, and carry on with your life as normal, then not much utility in getting retested. If you're negative, are you going to do anything differently than if you didn't get tested?

Have you had a negative test since your positive result in January?

I'm in the parking lot if the clinic to get tested.

I have not been tested since the original positive test.

I have not been vaccinated as I was told to wait 90 days and I am just now there.

I would certainly prefer not to isolate again but if the docs tell me to I will. Is that going to be recommended again? I would hate it more for my wife and kids than for myself.

Thanks for all of the input!

Is it a rapid test? I'm interested if you are positive again or negative l. Hope it is negative and you don't have to quarantine.

Tabasco said:

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Why not test? Cost? Time? I personally would want to know and would be interested in data about reinfection.

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The affect on his family as he pointed out. The fact he was asymptotic when he actually had Covid so there's probably little real danger depending on how he feels now. A lot of allergies, colds and other bugs floating around now that we are all together again and open.

Look, not trying to convince anyone not to test, but I'm also at a point where I contend that for our own mental health and the fact that cases are dropping significantly to a point where the vaccine roll out, in my opinion, has this thing under control, every time we feel a little sick we don't need to feel compelled to run out and test when the likelihood of have another bout of Covid is low. Personally I would not. But I have congestion now and am fight a bit of a sore throat myself. Haven't even considered testing nor will I. I'm vaccinated and have already had Covid. I also didn't wait 30 days from Covid to vax. No issues. At some point, as a society we have to learn to move forward.

All that said, since you're getting tested OP, keep us updated. It is extremely rare to get it again, but if you do, it will me an interesting case. Hope you feel better soon and have a negative test!

Whats the verdict?

Thanks for the replies. Negative covid. Positive for strep and flu. So strange. Doc didn't have any thoughts on how those tied in to loss of taste and smell.

I wonder if they are going to find a link with getting sick and repeatedly losing smell/taste again. Yours isn't the first I've heard of that happening.

jopatura said:

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I wonder if they are going to find a link with getting sick and repeatedly losing smell/taste again. Yours isn't the first I've heard of that happening.

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I know somebody who got covid in December, lost taste/smell for 21 days or so. They comment that they smell certain fats & proteins differently than before - almost acrid as aforementioned. E.g., pan frying an egg in olive oil is especially unpleasant.

This person hasn't lost taste/smell completely again, but have mentioned that some smells are just different than before, and not necessarily pleasantly so.

I'm guessing these are lingering symptoms - but possibly point to long term modifications to the body.

You've had Covid, flu and strep in the past 3 months. That sucks!! I'm interested to know your rankings after you recover.

Troglodyte said:

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You've had Covid, flu and strep in the past 3 months. That sucks!! I'm interested to know your rankings after you recover.

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I would certainly investigate immune boosting smoothies a d essential oils.

You are a sick mfer! I never got COVID or strep, had the flu once and had pneumonia once it the last 50 years.

Hope you recover soon!