You wake up with a scratchy throat, a runny nose, and a nagging cough, but your home COVID-19 test comes back negative. How can this be? The short answer is yes—you might be infected. Lots of other viruses such as influenza are being passed around at high levels in the US, so it is getting harder and harder to tell if someone has COVID-19 or another infection based on how they're feeling.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is clear that a negative result is not always a sign of absence of infection. The viral loads can be too low to be detected at first, and timing of testing, sampling, and test sensitivity all become important factors. For patients with symptoms, the CDC advises consideration of further tests, including PCR tests, that are more sensitive than rapid antigen tests.

Yes, you can be infected with COVID-19 and test negative. This typically occurs when the viral load is below the detectable level at the time of the test, if the sample was not taken correctly, or if the test performed (such as a rapid antigen test) is less sensitive than PCR. Being in the early stages of the infection, having had a previous immunity, or having differences in viral shedding can all give rise to negative results even though you are contagious. Repeating the test after a day or two, or using a PCR test, increases detection accuracy.

Can COVID Tests Can Fail Early On?

Lateral flow tests (LFTs), commonly applied for quick detection, are most precise when viral levels are high. In early infection or in already immunized individuals due to vaccination or previous infections, viral levels can be low, leading to negative test results while being actively infected. Immune systems become activated quicker in previously infected persons, causing symptoms before the virus becomes detectable.

Virologist describe how SARS-CoV-2 shows varied behavior in the human body. Some people have peak viral loads that are thousands of times larger than those of other people, and others clear the virus within a matter of days. This variability is the reason why symptoms alone do not always match infectiousness.

What is The Role of PCR Testing and Medical Guidance?

PCR tests in clinical environments are more sensitive than home antigen testing and can identify infections sooner. Medical professionals can further distinguish COVID-19 from other viral diseases, enabling timely treatment and counseling. Early diagnosis is still crucial, particularly among high-risk groups or those with comorbidities.

What Causes A Negative Test?

There are various reasons for a negative test result:

• Early testing prior to adequate viral replication
• Incorrect sampling or swabbing method
• Partial immunity from vaccination or earlier infection leading to low viral loads
• Infection with a different virus that has overlapping symptoms with COVID-19

It is also conceivable to be infected with several different viruses at once, making it even harder to interpret. Specialists advise retesting a day or two after an initial negative test if symptoms have not gone away, instead of trying to rely on one negative test result.

What Is The Isolation Period?

With the variability of viral shedding patterns, it's not easy to pinpoint the moment when an individual is contagious. The CDC's revised Respiratory Virus Guidance recommends individuals remain at home at least 24 hours after symptom improvement and fever abatement without the use of medicine. Additional precautions like masking, better ventilation, and distancing for five more days are suggested to reduce the risk of transmission.

Serial testing—having several tests over a period of days—can provide a better image of viral activity. Successive negatives after earlier positives can signal decreased infectiousness, but the timing and kind of test are important factors.

Effective Tips To Keep In Mind for Summer Covid-19 Surge

If symptoms develop but are negative on rapid tests, PCR testing for confirmation should be considered.

Watch carefully for symptoms, and have medical assessment to exclude other viral infections.

Follow CDC recommendations for isolation and after-recovery precautions to safeguard others.

Take note of local virus circulation patterns, as several respiratory viruses may be circulating at the same time.

COVID-19 testing, while necessary, is not without its limitations. Infection may not be excluded by negative test results, particularly during the early stages of infection or in the presence of widespread viral transmission. It is essential to be aware of overlapping respiratory pathogens, timing of testing, immune history, and variability in viral load to accurately interpret results. As SARS-CoV-2 continues to co-circulate with influenza, RSV, and norovirus, caution should be exercised, sensitive tests employed where indicated, and revised isolation and prevention measures followed.

What this indicates is that your test can be negative, yet your immune system's reaction and viral dynamics are something else. The best here is vigilance, frequent re-testing where possible, and adhering to public health recommendations to care for yourself and others.

Al Roker, the 71-year-old cohost of the Today show, has a simple but powerful life goal: to be there for his family, especially his granddaughter. In an interview with the Prevention, Al detailed various parts of his journey, his motivations, how he got to where he is and where he wishes to see himself in the future.

One of the goals the spoke of was being there for his granddaughter’s graduation. This goal is personal for Roker, who has faced significant health challenges. In 2002, he was at his heaviest and struggling with health issues, including knee pain that made it difficult to even carry his daughter. Roker, who has three children with his wife Deborah Roberts, admits he was stuck in a cycle of "all-or-nothing" dieting, which he says was a "negative loop" of restricting food and then binge-eating.

Al-Roker's Diet: What He Eats In A Day

Al explained how he knows that the gastric bypass surgery wasn’t the end of his journey. Roker focuses on daily habits to maintain his health. He cooks most meals at home to control ingredients and eats small, frequent meals with a focus on protein.

Breakfast: Nonfat yogurt and a banana, followed by a cold-brew coffee.

Lunch: A salad with salmon or chopped chicken and grains.

Dinner: Lean protein, like fish or chicken, and steak about once a week.

He also prioritizes exercise. His favorite form is walking, and he tries to walk a couple of miles a day. When he's too busy for a full workout, he finds ways to be active, like walking to work, which is about 15 blocks.

Can You Eat Whatever You Want After Gastric Bypass Surgery?

When one undergoes a gastric bypass it changes the way their body handles food. The surgery basically makes your stomach smaller by closing it off with staples, according to MedlinePlus. You will not only eat less, but your body may not absorb all the calories from your food. Does this mean you can have an unrestrictive diet?

The answer is, not entirely. According to University Hospitals, your diet will change a lot in the first two months after surgery.

Weeks 1-2

You will be on a liquid-only diet. This includes water, broth, tea, and protein drinks. You can't have any carbonated drinks.

Weeks 3-4

You will move to a puréed diet. This means all your food must be blended into a smooth texture. You can have things like blended chili, puréed cottage cheese, and thinned Greek yogurt.

Weeks 5-6

You will eat a soft diet. Meals should be very soft and moist. This could include eggs, tuna salad, or baked fish with cooked vegetables.

After 45 days

You can slowly start eating regular foods again. You should be careful with things that are harder to digest, like bread, rice, pasta, red meat, nuts, and fizzy drinks.

How Does Eating Look Like After Gastric Bypass?

Experts suggest to maintain your weight loss, aim for three high-protein meals a day. Protein helps you feel full for about four hours. It's also important to listen to your body. Don't wait until you are starving to eat, but don't eat just because it's a certain time.

Eat when you are hungry. Your body uses food for energy, so try not to eat your last meal right before bed.

When you do eat, always have your protein food first. If you still have room, then eat your vegetables. If you need help with a meal plan, a dietitian can help you create one that fits your life and your tastes. Here are some tips you can follow when you are eating outside.

• You can still enjoy meals at restaurants, but it's best to plan ahead.
• Look at the menu online before you go. Choose dishes with a focus on lean protein and non-starchy vegetables.
• Order a box with your meal so you can put away the extra food right away.
• Split a large meal with someone else at your table.
• If you don't see a good main dish, order a side of protein and a side of vegetables to create your own meal.

When the monsoon rains set in, they bring in a much-needed respite from the scorching summer heat but the relief is usually brief, as the damp, humid conditions become a breeding ground for waterborne infections and gastrointestinal diseases. The most prevalent of these seasonal diseases include gastroenteritis, an illness that infects the stomach and intestines, making individuals susceptible to dehydration, exhaustion, and, in severe cases, life-threatening complications.

High humidity, standing water, dirty food sources, and variable temperatures all combine to provide excellent breeding grounds for pathogenic microbes. The digestive system, sensitive to infection, one of the first to respond. Unhygienic foods, street foods open to unclean conditions, and dirty fruits and vegetables serve as vectors for parasites, viruses, and bacteria.

As Dr. Aditya Shah, MBBS, MD (General Medicine, Gastroenterology, Apollo Spectra Hospital, Chennai), puts it, "The monsoons usher in many diseases along with relief from the hot summer weather. All these diseases primarily target the gut. Inadequate food hygiene, consumption of dirty water and humidity during these periods put individuals at risk of contracting several diseases such as gastroenteritis."

In this period, these are usual diseases like seasonal gastroenteritis, typhoid fever, hepatitis A and E, cholera, and amoebiasis that peak in populations. All of them have the common factor as being a result of contamination either via unsafe water for drinking, poor food handling, or contact with carriers.

What Is Seasonal Gastroenteritis?

Seasonal gastroenteritis, which is also known as "stomach flu," is one of the most common digestive diseases reported during the wet season. It is a condition that causes inflammation in the stomach and intestines and is precipitated by viral, bacterial, or parasitic pathogens.

Dr. Shah points out, "Stomach flu, or seasonal gastroenteritis, is an infection with inflammation of the stomach and intestines, most commonly caused by viral, bacterial, or parasitic pathogens. Symptoms may develop within hours to days of exposure."

The symptoms are cramping of the abdomen, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and fever. Some patients may also have muscle aches, headache, and severe tiredness. In children and the elderly, dehydration becomes a deadly complication, characterized by intense thirst, decreased urination, and lightheadedness.

How Infections Spread During Monsoon?

The most common sources of gastroenteritis are contaminated water and food. Street foods, which are subjected to dirty air and cooked in unhygienic conditions, become dangerous pleasures. Similarly, stored perishable food items, unwashed vegetables and fruits, and untreated water create conditions for bacterial propagation.

Viruses also play a major role. Rotavirus and norovirus are two such frequent culprits of viral gastroenteritis. Rotavirus causes irritation in the stomach and intestines, and norovirus is infamous for vomiting and diarrhea outbreaks. Both are easily contagious through dirty surfaces and direct physical contact, so they are particularly hard to contain in overcrowded areas during the rainy season.

Common Gastrointestinal Diseases That Occur During Monsoon

While gastroenteritis steals the show, a number of other GI diseases peak in this season:

Typhoid Fever

Due to Salmonella typhi, typhoid is transmitted by contaminated food and water. Lasting fever, headache, and abdominal discomfort are classic signs, with serious cases causing harm to the intestines.

Hepatitis A and E

Liver infections caused by viruses, these diseases are generated due to bad sanitation conditions. They induce jaundice, weakness, and vomiting, with children being the most susceptible.

Cholera

Induced by Vibrio cholerae, cholera causes copious watery diarrhea and quick dehydration, necessitating urgent treatment to avoid death.

Amoebiasis

Induced by the parasite Entamoeba histolytica, it is caused by consuming food or water with fecal contamination. It manifests as pain in the abdomen and diarrhea, in severe cases causing liver abscesses.

All these diseases highlight the same fact: water and food hygiene are the key to healthy digestion in the monsoon.

What Are The Possible Complications of Gastrointestinal If Left Untreated?

Gastroenteritis seasonal, though sometimes relegated to a fleeting case of the stomach flu, can evolve into dire complications if left unattended. Dr. Shah admonishes that, in severe cases among children and older adults, dehydration can become life-threatening. Ongoing illness can also lead to electrolyte disorders, renal issues, and long-term debility.

One of the most important functions of management is diagnosis. Knowing if the disease is viral, bacterial, or parasitic guarantees treatment effectiveness. For instance, antibiotics are not required and indeed counterproductive in viral gastroenteritis but are a must in bacterial infections such as typhoid or cholera.

How To Prevent Gastrointestinal Diseases in Monsoon?

Though the threat of seasonal gastroenteritis exists, it is also quite preventable. Staying hydrated is crucial. Dr. Shah emphasizes the use of ORS (Oral Rehydration Solutions), which re-place lost water and salts, preventing severe dehydration. The other measures of prevention are:

• Consuming boiled or filtered water in place of untreated water
• Using freshly cooked home food as a priority
• Not consuming raw foods, unwashed vegetables, and roadside food items during the rainy season
• Washing hands properly before eating and after visiting the bathroom
• Proper storage of perishable foods to avoid bacterial growth
• These habits are simple yet extremely effective in reducing the risk of acquiring gastrointestinal infections by a huge margin.

When to See A Doctor?

Gastroenteritis is self-limiting in most cases, and hydration, rest, and food changes are enough. However, medical attention is sought immediately in the presence of recurrent vomiting, high temperature, presence of blood in stools, or features suggestive of severe dehydration.

Antimicrobials or antiviral drugs must be taken under the supervision of a doctor. Self-medication not only delays treatment but also fuels antimicrobial resistance.

The monsoon period is a paradox: a relief from the summer heat but also a time when the gut is particularly susceptible to infections. Seasonal gastroenteritis and other waterborne illnesses flourish in these conditions, reminding us of the tenuous nexus between environment, hygiene, and health.

With preventive care, proper food and water hygiene, and early medical treatment, the incidence of seasonal digestive diseases can be reduced. As Dr. Shah puts it, "Seasonal gastroenteritis is a very prevalent but avoidable disease in this season. With timely care, precautions, and awareness, this condition can be treated without serious complications.".

Former tennis star Anna Kournikova is reportedly pregnant with her fourth child. According to the Spanish outlet Hola, Kournikova, 44, is halfway through her pregnancy, and all is going well.

This will be her fourth child with longtime partner and singer Enrique Iglesias, whom she has been with since 2001. The couple already has twins, Lucy and Nicholas, 7, and a younger daughter, Mary, 5. According to a Spanish news outlet, Hola, her pregnancy is going well, however some people are still worried about her health, as just a few weeks ago she was photographed on a wheelchair, injured with a leg brace.

Kournikova retired from professional tennis in 2003 when she was just 21 because of injuries. Since then, she has stayed mostly out of the public eye. Pregnancies can take a massive toll on women’s bodies, and what age you give birth could also change the risk associated with it.

Is Pregnancy At 40 Risky?

According to the American College of Obstetrician and Gynecologists, women are born with all the eggs they will have for a lifetime. As they get older, both the number and quality of their eggs decrease. After age 35, the chance of getting pregnant goes down, and the risk of having a baby with a chromosomal issue, like Down syndrome, goes up. The risks for a pregnant woman also increase with age. Older mothers have a higher chance of:

• Miscarriage or stillbirth
• Developing gestational diabetes or preeclampsia (high blood pressure)
• Having a baby who is very small
• Needing a C-section (cesarean birth)
• Developing blood clots

These risks increase the farther a woman is past age 35. It's important to remember that these are just risks; every pregnancy is different.

How Is The Risk of Pregnancy Assessed?

It's common for women over 35 to worry about being labeled a "high-risk" pregnancy. However, a doctor uses this term to be proactive, not to scare them. It simply means the doctor will watch them more closely to help them have the healthiest pregnancy possible. Doctors can use modern tools to detect and respond to potential problems early. This might include:

• Prenatal screening tests in the first trimester to check for genetic risks.
• More frequent ultrasounds to check on the baby’s growth.
• Regular checks of their blood pressure and tests for gestational diabetes.

If a woman is under 35 and wants to have children in the future, it's a good idea for her to talk with her doctor now about her plans and how age might affect her fertility.

Precautions Pregnant Women Over 40 Should Take

Most women over 40 have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. However, it's important to be aware of some key factors and risks. The Australian Department of Health and Aged Care explains that the best way to have a healthy pregnancy is to take good care of yourself. This includes eating a healthy diet, gaining a healthy amount of weight, staying active, and avoiding alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs.

Antenatal Care and What to Expect

Regular antenatal care is crucial for both you and your baby's health. Getting this care early and consistently can significantly increase your chances of a healthy baby. Your doctor will likely recommend certain tests and vaccinations, such as:

• Influenza (flu) vaccine at any time during your pregnancy.
• Pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine, preferably between 20 and 32 weeks.
• A blood test to check your rubella immunity.

Your doctor will also use blood tests, urine tests, and ultrasounds to monitor your and your baby's health. As you get older, the chance of your baby having a chromosomal condition increases, though the overall risk is still small. These conditions include:

• Down syndrome
• Edwards syndrome
• Patau syndrome

However, it is not all scary as pregnancies later in life have a lot of benefits like a more stable environment, whether it is financial, career or resource wise. If you have any worries reach out to your healthcare professional and ensure you follow their advice.