I've been having very mild symptoms, most likely related to pollen season. Even though I'm not allergic, I do tend to get sinus infections this time of year. So no surprise, with the level of pollen in the air, I have started to feel ill. Sometimes I can fight it off, sometimes I need antibiotics to knock it out. No big deal. Except this year, my husband's job is requiring him to report all family members having symptoms of illness. And since I'd rather not spend two weeks isolated from my own family, I decided to try this new telemedicine thing. I wasn't sure if I even needed to get tested for COVID-19 or if there would be a test available for me with such mild symptoms.
Just in case, I made an appointment for a video call with a doctor to get screened online and had the meeting Monday morning. To my surprise, she said they are testing as many people as they can now, even with mild symptoms. She said there have been a couple of cases where the person seemed to be having only mild allergy-related symptoms and they tested positive for COVID-19! So now, they are trying to identify these mild and "carrier" cases when they can. Definitely a good thing.
So I was scheduled to get the test at their drive-up clinic in Hoover the same day. I arrived for my designated testing time and waited for the clinicians to come to me in my car. I had to turn the air conditioner off, roll down the window and get a swab up the nose for the test. It was not fun. I'm pretty sure they got a sample of my brain along with the nasty goo in my nose! But it wasn't horribly painful either. It would've made my sensitive kiddo cry though I'm sure, so be prepared if you need to have a child tested. Crossing my fingers that will not be necessary!
That's it! Really fast, really easy! The test is a full panel for flu and COVID-19 so if all those things are ruled out and I am feeling worse, they even said they can call in a prescription of antibiotics for me so I won't have to meet with anyone else. I really hope they will continue this type of video/tele-health program after the pandemic is over, because it was super convenient!
Wish me luck for a negative result, I REALLY want to hug my kiddos and hubby again!
The testing center I went through was in Hoover. Click HERE for more information and to schedule an appointment.
UAB also has a similar program if you live closer to downtown Birmingham. Click HERE for more information and to schedule an appointment.
 Workers get ready to test patients waiting in their cars. |
Highlights in this Week’s Newsletter
- 50 Ways to Explore Your Backyard
- 10 Ideas for Throwing a Virtual Party
- 6 Ways to Make Cleaning Up Fun
- and more!
- plus virtual events! Find the full event calendar HERE
Local Guides
Check out these guides to find exactly what you are looking for right now. Current guides are The Ultimate Stuck at Home, Social Distancing Fun with Kids Guide, Travel Guide, Steals 'n Deals (Kids Eat Free), School Breaks and Summer Camps Guide, 92 Things to Do With Kids in Birmingham, 2020 Giveaway Winners, Birthday Guide, 79 Day Trips from Birmingham, and Kids Classes and Activities!
Business Directory
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Macaroni Kid South Birmingham is a free weekly e-newsletter and website focused on fun family events and things to do with kids in the South Birmingham region. We gather together all kinds of local family events and activities each week, and add useful information about classes, family-focused businesses, book and product reviews, recipes, crafts, school and camp guides and more. We proudly serve families in downtown Birmingham, Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Hoover, Pelham, the Oak Mountain and 280 area, Helena and Alabaster.
