Preparing for Virus Season

Virus season is here. Experts believe sickness ramps up during the autumn and winter because the cold weather keeps us inside, allowing more viruses to circulate and become more contagious. For you and your family’s health and safety, it’s important to stay informed about the potential health challenges ahead. Knowledge is your first line of defense against these illnesses.

This year, health experts and agencies are closely monitoring several respiratory viruses that are on their radar, including flu, COVID-19, RSV, and the bacterial infection, strep. These are concerning illnesses due to the quick nature they can spread and the ability of symptoms to worsen and cause a greater threat to your health. However, the CDC reminds us that for the first time in United States history, vaccines for all three major respiratory viruses — COVID-19, flu, and RSV — are now available to help protect you and your family.

What You Need to Know

Any Lab Test Now® is here to keep you informed and help you navigate virus season. Here’s a breakdown of the bugs we will all encounter this virus season — a season that typically spans autumn through early spring.

1. Influenza (Flu)

Every year, the flu is a concern due to its rapid spread and potential severity. The World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted that influenza continues to be a significant health threat worldwide, resulting in millions of cases annually. Given the unpredictable nature of influenza strains, getting an annual flu vaccine remains the most recommended preventive measure.

Symptoms:

  • Fever
  • Cough.
  • Sore throat.
  • Runny or stuffy nose.
  • Muscle or body aches.
  • Headaches.
  • Fatigue (tiredness)

What You Should Do: If you haven’t done so already, consider getting the flu vaccine. Make it a practice to wash your hands frequently, maintain personal hygiene, and if you’re feeling unwell, it’s best to stay home and rest.

2. COVID-19

Though considerable strides have been made in understanding and addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, the virus hasn’t been eradicated, and variants continue to mutate. Caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, it usually spreads between people in close contact.

According to the CDC, monitoring variants and the efficacy of vaccines remains a priority. Continued vaccination, mask-wearing in crowded places, and maintaining hygiene standards are still essential in managing the spread.

Symptoms:

The World Health Organization says people may experience different symptoms from COVID-19. Symptoms usually begin 5 to 6 days after exposure and last 1 to 14 days.

The most common symptoms are:

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Sore throat

What You Should Do: Stay updated with the latest guidelines from health organizations. If you haven’t been vaccinated or need a booster shot, consult your healthcare provider.

3. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

RSV might be lesser known, but it’s a significant concern, especially for infants and older adults. A report from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health has expressed concerns about potential RSV outbreaks, emphasizing the importance of awareness and preventive measures. The CDC reminds everyone that vaccines are available to protect older adults from severe RSV. Monoclonal antibody products are available to protect infants and young children from severe RSV.

The Mayo Clinic advises that you look out for signs and symptoms of respiratory syncytial virus infection that most commonly appear about 4 to 6 days after exposure to the virus. In adults and older children, RSV usually causes mild cold-like signs and symptoms.

Symptoms:

  • Congested or runny nose
  • Dry cough
  • Low-grade fever
  • Sore throat
  • Sneezing
  • Headache

What You Should Do: Awareness is crucial. Recognize the symptoms, which can often resemble the common cold, and seek medical advice if symptoms persist or become severe.

4. Strep Throat

Caused by the streptococcal bacteria, strep throat is highly contagious. It’s not typically included in the respiratory virus category, but given its prevalence during the colder months, it’s worth noting. According to the Cleveland Clinic, strep throat predominantly affects children between the ages of 5 and 15. However, siblings, parents, teachers, and other individuals who interact closely with children of this age group are susceptible.

Symptoms:

  • Sore throat that starts suddenly
  • Quick onset fever
  • Chills
  • Headache
  • Loss of appetite
  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea and vomiting

What You Should Do: Maintain good hygiene practices. If you or someone close to you displays symptoms like a sore throat, swollen glands, or difficulty swallowing, it’s advisable to seek medical attention.

Any Lab Test Now® is Here to Help

Many diseases co-circulating have symptom overlap; diagnosis without testing can be challenging. Any Lab Test Now® provides lab testing that gives you results when you’re feeling sick.

COVID/FLU/RSV AND STREP RAPID ANTIGEN – Our rapid antigen test identifies the most common types of respiratory viruses (COVID-19, influenza A and/or influenza B, or RSV) as well as the bacteria for strep throat (group A Streptococcus).

A simple nasal swab sample is used to look for antigens, which are surface proteins and other substances that are unique to any of the respiratory viruses (COVID-19, influenza, RSV) for identification. Strep can similarly be identified by a throat swab used for the same kind of antigen test.

Results from this type of test can be made available in 10 to 15 minutes for each of the tests. Understanding the results of these tests can assist your healthcare professional. If detected early, this can guide them towards possible treatment.

Any Lab Test Now® is Your Partner in Health

We want to help you and your family stay healthy by providing answers. At Any Lab Test Now®, we provide lab tests that give you tangible results. Call now to schedule an appointment at a location near you.

National Flu Vaccine Week

It’s that time of year, when news agencies tell us the number of daily flu cases, and we hear the sneezing and coughing from people around us. Flu season is in full swing, and it’s predicted to be a severe one, according to health experts.

How do officials figure this stuff out? It’s actually quite interesting.

It’s Gonna Be a Bad Flu Season

Infectious disease and public health experts in the Northern hemisphere generally look at what happened in the Southern hemisphere as a predictor of where things will go during our winter. The Southern Hemisphere goes first, and based on how Australia’s flu season was, it’s gonna be rough. Australia experienced their worst flu season in five years.

Health officials say what may be partly to blame is that for a few years now, we haven’t really been exposed to the flu virus because of masking and Covid-19 restrictions, so our immunity decreases.

What is the Flu Virus?

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. According to the CDC, it can be a potentially serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death.

During typical flu seasons, millions of people will become sick, hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalized and thousands to tens of thousands of people die from flu-related causes.

If you’ve ever had the flu, you know you feel crummy for about 7-10 days. But there are times when it can develop into further health problems. Complications from the flu  can include bacterial pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. Health officials warn–serious complications from the flu are more likely in babies and young children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with certain long-term health conditions.

Get Your Annual Flu Vaccine

But you can prevent the flu or the severity if you get your flu shot. Many people will get their flu vaccine beginning in September. You want protection to last through the peak of flu season which is February. This not only protects you but your loved ones and the community.

During National influenza Vaccination Week (December 6-12, 2022), the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) is urging everyone age 6 months and older—if you haven’t already gotten your flu vaccine, it’s not too late, especially for those who are considered high risk, health-wise. The NFID is concerned, because a recent survey indicated that  only 49% of US adults plan to get a flu vaccine during the 2022-2023 flu season. 

That’s why it’s important to know that the best way to prevent flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year. The seasonal flu shot can lower the risk of getting the flu by about half. While some people who get a flu shot may still get sick with influenza, flu vaccination has been shown in several studies to reduce severity of illness. Contrary to what some may believe, the flu vaccine cannot cause the flu.

Protection with the Flu Vaccine

The Flu shot causes antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies provide protection against flu illness.

Seasonal flu vaccines are designed to protect against the influenza viruses that researchers believe will be most common during the upcoming season. All flu vaccines in the United States are “quadrivalent” vaccines, which means they protect against four different flu viruses: an influenza A(H1N1) virus, an influenza A(H3N2) virus, and two influenza B viruses.

Officials say there are some new vaccines this season, designed for people 65 years and older that are recommended over standard dose.

The Flu Vaccine is Not Made for Everyone

There are some people who should not get the flu shot.

  • Children younger than 6 months of age
  • People with severe, life-threatening allergies to any ingredient in a flu vaccine (other than egg proteins).
  • People who have had a severe allergic reaction to a dose of influenza vaccine, previously
  • If you ever had Guillain-Barré Syndrome (a severe paralyzing illness, also called GBS). Talk to your doctor about your GBS history.
  • If you are not feeling well, talk to your doctor about your symptoms.

Any Lab Test Now® Can Test for Flu

If you suspect you may be sick with the flu, or if you are travelling this holiday season and want to protect your friends and family members, Any Lab Test Now® is a resource for you. With so many different causes for similar illnesses, it can be difficult to know what the cause of any respiratory illness symptoms might be.

To determine if you have the flu or not, we provide our rapid flu influenza test. Results are available to you in 10 to 15 minutes and can help identify if symptoms are due to an infection with the influenza virus or not.  No matter the results, if you are sick with a respiratory virus, it’s always best to follow up with your healthcare provider to get appropriate treatment. If you need a provider, we’ve teamed up with DialCare to provide virtual licensed physicians at your fingertips.

Schedule an Appointment Today

Any Lab Test Now® is a resource you can use for your family’s health and wellness.  The lab tests we provide are confidential, affordable, and convenient. If you are feeling under the weather, get your flu test and the answers you need. Call now to schedule an appointment at a location near you.

A Tale of Two Viruses: Fast Facts About COVID-19 and the Flu

As more people get vaccinated against COVID-19 and the risk of infection lessens, concerns remain about the return of a health threat we have come to expect every year: the flu.

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.

Thanks to public health measures such as social distancing, improved hygiene habits, and mask-wearing, the 2020–2021 flu season slowed to remarkably low levels. The United States recorded about 6,000 deaths from influenza last season compared to 22,000 deaths the year before.

Flu season runs from October through May. Health experts agree that the best way of preventing flu is by getting a flu vaccine each year.

Because each year’s flu vaccine is based on strains that circulated the previous year, health officials are not sure how the 2021–2022 flu vaccine will perform since it is based on far fewer cases than in a common year.

Conversely with fewer flu virus particles circulating, experts believe there is less chance of an upcoming mutation, so it is possible this season’s vaccine will prove extra effective. That is, if people choose to get it.

Each year, just under half the population gets a flu vaccine, even though the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends an annual flu shot for almost everyone over the age of 6 months. 

According to CDC, the following people are at high risk for developing influenza-related complications: 

  • Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old
  • Adults 65 years of age and older
  • Pregnant women (and women up to two weeks postpartum)
  • Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
  • Also, American Indians and Alaskan Natives seem to be at higher risk of influenza complications

People who have the following medical conditions are also at high risk for the flu: 

  • Asthma 
  • Neurological and neuro-developmental conditions [including disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerve, and muscle such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy (seizure disorders), stroke, intellectual disability (mental retardation), moderate to severe developmental delay, muscular dystrophy, or spinal cord injury]
  • Chronic lung disease (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] and cystic fibrosis) 
  • Heart disease (such as congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure, and coronary artery disease) 
  • Blood disorders (such as sickle cell disease) 
  • Endocrine disorders (such as diabetes mellitus) 
  • Kidney disorders 
  • Liver disorders 
  • Metabolic disorders (such as inherited metabolic disorders and mitochondrial disorders) 
  • Weakened immune system due to disease or medication (such as people with HIV or AIDS, or cancer, or those on chronic steroids) 
  • People younger than 19 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy
  • People who are morbidly obese (Body Mass Index of 40 or greater) 

Taking preventative measures against the flu will be important now that we still continue to contend with COVID-19. Even though there is a vaccine for COVID-19, experts still don’t know how long it will provide protection or when a booster will be needed.

Double Threat 

Did you know it is possible to get sick with both the flu and COVID-19 at the same time? Although both viruses are spread through droplets from an infected person and share similar symptoms, they use different receptors on our cells once inside the body. This allows for a double infection in the same person.

The flu and COVID-19 are both contagious respiratory illnesses that share many of the same signs and symptoms such as dry cough, fever, and shortness of breath. Some of the distinct differences include: 

  • A loss of smell and taste is a symptom connected to COVID-19 and is considered rare among flu sufferers.
  • Nasal congestion and a runny nose are symptoms associated with the flu not seen in COVID-19 patients.
  • Flu symptoms come on rapidly, whereas symptoms for COVID-19 can take upwards of 14 days to appear.

It is important to know which virus is at play when feeling sick. Many of the mass testing locations across the country have been shut down. Any Lab Test Now® remains one of the testing locations people can turn to in order to find out if they are possibly dealing with a COVID-19 infection or the flu. Come in for a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel, which is an all-around test typically included in an annual physical exam. As the world reopens and students head back to school, the lasting effects of COVID-19 are unknown. This general test can provide some insight regarding your overall health. 

Be at Ease 

Any Lab Test Now wants you to be at ease when it comes to seeking out any type of lab work.

We provide you a safe and clean alternative location for lab work. Each of our 190+ stores is sanitized several times a day, in accordance with the CDC’s protocols. Any Lab Test Now is a committed partner in helping you manage your family’s healthcare so you can make educated decisions that will directly affect your quality of life. We want to put you at ease during the coronavirus pandemic. We are here to help.

For more information about Any Lab Test Now, and the tests we offer, visit us at www.anylabtestnow.com.

Defend Yourself Against the Flu

Did you know the CDC reported that in a 30-year period, deaths affiliated to the flu in the United States alone range from 3,000 to 49,000 people? Flu season is here and now the battle to prevent getting the virus begins. It is safe to say that getting the flu is no picnic. You will get most of the symptoms of the common cold such as body aches, sore throat and a cough with an additional high fever and the feeling that your runny nose should be in intensive care.

It is important to note that anyone regardless of their age can get infected with the flu. However, age does play a part in the period of contagiousness. A healthy adult may infect others from one day before developing symptoms up to 5 to 7 days after becoming ill. Children, as well as those with weakened immune systems, have the ability of infecting others for a period longer than a week.

Since most cases of the flu take place during the months of October through May; now is the time to act and make sure you and the ones you love are protected. Getting your flu shot as soon as it is available not only protects you from being stuck in bed for a week but it also prevents you from potentially infecting others.

ANY LAB TEST NOW® can be your ally.  Take 5 minutes to stop by for the shot that will help keep you and your loved ones protected from the virus. The shot is not available at all ANY LAB TEST NOW® locations. For more information on where the flu shot is available near you visit https://www.anylabtestnow.com/locations/.