The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

“I got the bug that’s going around.” We’ve all heard it more than a few times in the past few weeks as sick season rolls through Big Sandy, as it seems to every year about this time. There’s never any shortage of rumors and theories about what bug everyone is catching, but what are we really dealing with this year? Krystal Kulbeck, the Physician’s Assistant at Big Sandy Clinic, explained that the seasonal illnesses hitting Big Sandy are pretty diverse: “There are currently multiple viral illnesses in town including common cold, COVID-19, RSV, and influenza. There is also strep throat, which is caused by a bacteria and is more common during the winter and early spring months.”

With Covid, in particular, making the rounds, it’s hard to know how seriously to take the illness after a year of extreme caution and now very little talk about it. Krystal explained, “There are many variants of COVID-19. We do not test for the variant, so it is impossible to say what the current variant is here in Big Sandy. From a clinical standpoint, it appears that COVID-19 infections are not as severe as they were initially. Symptoms vary widely at this point, and you can even have the infection without any symptoms.”

I’ve talked to a few folks in town who thought they had a cold, then lost their sense of smell, revealing it was Covid. The question on many people’s minds is “what are we supposed to do now?” Krystal explained that a lot has changed since the 2020 quarantine expectations. “The guidelines continue to change, and it is recommended to follow the CDC guidelines.However, there may be different guidelines per your county or your work place. The precautions have lightened up. In fact, at BSMC, we are now mask free unless showing respiratory symptoms. It appears that most people are getting back to the way life way prior to 2020.”

If you think you might have caught Covid again, Krystal said: “They should obtain a test. You can buy a test at most pharmacies/grocery stores or make an appointment at BSMC for testing/evaluation. You do not necessarily need to be evaluated if you test positive for COVID unless you have concerns. You do need to follow the current CDC guidelines for quarantine. At home, I recommend treating your symptoms as needed with over the counter medication just like a normal cold. Lots of rest, push fluids, but get up and be active when you can. If you experience increasing fevers, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, chest pain, or are unable to eat/drink, you should be evaluated in the clinic/ER.”

Since it appears we have a less severe variant affecting our area, the risk levels are lower. Krystal explained that the most at risk populations include: “The elderly (>65) still appear to be at risk as well as those that have other risk factors including lung disease, kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, heart conditions, cancer, obesity, being immunocompromised, among many other conditions.”

Krystal added, “I think it is important that people are aware we have multiple illnesses circulating in town. Not every illness is COVID-19. Most illnesses that we are currently seeing are viral and improve with time and treating symptoms. Antibiotics do not treat or prevent viral illnesses. If you are sick, it is best to stay home to prevent spreading the illness to others.”