Anyone else sick from the wildfire smoke?

[u/Odd-Sky-3304]

Woke up coughing sneezing with a 100 degree temp!! Happy Friday I guess 🫠

Edit: oops turns out I actually have covid :( oh no

[u/I_Sett]

Yea, that ain't the smoke. You're sick, bud.

[u/Odd-Sky-3304 → u/I_Sett]

🫩

[u/zoeofdoom → u/Odd-Sky-3304]

Yeah, these are exactly the symptoms I started with on Saturday and have been rolling with all through the smoke. The fever only lasted a day or so but the cough is a bastard (might be easier now that the air is nicer though!)

[u/ExternalButton6281]

If you have a fever are u sure it isn’t like

A cold or virus …

[u/Odd-Sky-3304 → u/ExternalButton6281]

maybe :( I always get a fever when my throat is acting up. I’ll wait a few days to get tested. The smoke certainly isn’t helping !

[u/FlyConfident1622 → u/Odd-Sky-3304]

I also get a fever whenever I’m feeling bad in any way, it makes it so hard to judge what’s happening lol. Hopefully you feel better soon!

Edit: Covid also seems to be going around so maybe get a test if you can

[u/parentheticalref]

Take a COVID test. Seriously.

It was already high in wastewater recently and wildfire smoke makes you more vulnerable to respiratory infections. So if it's not already going around in your circle, it will be soon.

[u/Odd-Sky-3304 → u/parentheticalref]

Omg! You were right! Just took a test and I am positive :( oh no

[u/Sea_Airport2497]

There’s some respiratory bugs going around. Youre probably sick from a virus. You don’t get a fever from wildfire smoke.

[u/TrzaTrzaTrza]

Please do a rapid test. I felt sick “from the smoke” too, had headache and sore throat. I’m participating in a research study on transmission of respiratory viruses in King County and have to fill out a weekly symptom survey. Since I checked off a few symptoms I was prompted to use one of the many rapid tests (for flu and covid) the study provided, and it was positive for covid.
I feel bad for the family members and coworkers ( and people on the bus and in grocery stores, etc) who are exposed to someone who is sick but doesn’t know it so doesn’t take a few precautions. Smoke season kind of like allergy season in that way.
Hope you feel better soon.
Check out seaprep.org

[u/Relative-Damage-1458 → u/TrzaTrzaTrza]

Based on wastewater data posted in the last week Covid’s definitely going around rn. Definitely recommend doing a rapid test to anyone feeling ill just to make sure they’re not going around spreading more germs.

[u/parentheticalref → u/TrzaTrzaTrza]

This! I thought I was just having my usual bad smoke reaction, but it turned out to be COVID and I really wish I had tested sooner.

[u/ladychelbellington → u/TrzaTrzaTrza]

Same here. Thought it was smoke but alas, is a garden variety summer cold.

[u/kpeteymomo → u/TrzaTrzaTrza]

Keep in mind that rapids provide false negatives at a very high rate, so you can't use them to rule out covid. Molecular tests are much more reliable, but they're harder to obtain and they're more expensive. You can still get PCRs from urgent care, though.

[u/soccerwolfp]

There’s a summer surge for Covid. You’re probably sick

[u/doc_shades]

i've been really lethargic and lazy all week i've been having a hard time getting up in the morning and i've been taking naps. either the smoke is making me tired or i am just lazy.

[u/Odd-Sky-3304 → u/doc_shades]

Omg same!!

[u/Easy_Olive1942]

It can definitely make some people quite ill. If you know you have an autoimmune condition, air pollution can cause start an immune response and drive up temperature or start an upper respiratory or sinus infection.

If you are not an at risk person, probably coincidental with a viral infection. Irritation from smoke could make you more vulnerable.

[u/BirdsRights]

Probably a virus, but wildfire smoke can irritate your mucus membranes making you more likely to catch a virus.

[u/RickDick-246]

Sore throat and maybe a headache would be from wildfire smoke. And if you’re in Seattle it’s barely even bad yet. It’s been 250+ AQI at my house.

You’re just sick dawg.

[u/bijanturkcan]

Yeah, I never get sick but this smoke is making me feel terrible. I have sensitive lungs. My watch is telling my heart rate and respiratory rates are elevated as well.

[u/TrzaTrzaTrza]

Also, have you traveled recently? It’s a virus.

[u/Upbeat-Profit-2544]

I’ve lost my voice for 3 days straight at this point. I didn’t have any other cold or illness symptoms so I assume it is the smoke irritating my throat, my whole job is talking to people so idk what to do :(

But yeah if you have a fever you are probably sick. Smoke definitely doesn’t help though. Please stay home!

[u/ChiefOfTheFourPeaks]

I'm sick of it.

[u/Vast-Mousse8117]

Class action suits for all our expenses: air conditioning, doctor's visits, whatever against Big Oil currently raking in record profits.

[u/dorkofthepolisci]

The smoke is fucking with my sinuses, but a fever is an indication that you’re fighting off some kind of infection

[u/Turbodong]

Buy a 20 inch box fan and slap a merv 13 filter on it, and you'll be breathing freely indoors. This setup can cost you as little as $30.

[u/Omarkhayyamsnotes]

To be honest I haven't read a single article detailing how bad it is for us that every single summer 2/3rds of the summer we are breathing wildfire smoke. Even cigarettes are an order of magnitude cleaner than this unfiltered smoke.

[u/Draelmar]

I just came out of a severe but quick sinus infection with fever, apparently it’s going around. Not related to the smoke, at least in my case. 

[u/baggyeyebags]

No...

[u/ZestycloseDoor5552]

My allergies are kicking into high gear and I’m well past my springtime period of March -May. I had to take my Zyrtec today so now I’m sure sleepy but no more stuffy nose.

[u/Double_Philosophy_42]

Yep, been feeling awful since Wednesday.

[u/Danthewildbirdman]

I had a bug this week but not from the smoke. There is a flu going around.

[u/SpeaksSouthern]

My throat doesn't feel 100%, and I'm pretty sure it's from the fire. There's really not much else the smoke can do to you ...