My wife tested negative for COVID-19 after recovery but has symptoms now. Why?

Question

Hi doctor,

About a month ago, I tested positive for COVID-19 in reverse transcription Polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and rapid tests. I had a fever for less than a day of 37.5 degrees and some muscle ache. My wife also tested positive five days later in only the rapid test. She had hot flashes and headache as symptoms and a little nose block. Three weeks later, she had a minor body ache that we ruled out as exercise-related, and last night her temperature went up to 38.3 degrees (armpit). Today it is 39.1 degrees (armpit). I did some blood tests and RT-PCR for her, and it is negative, but I am getting different opinions from different doctors for the blood test. Some days it looks like COVID-19, while other days, it does not look like COVID-19 at all. Please advise me. What should I do? I am attaching the test reports for your reference.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com. Thank you for the query. I can understand your concern. According to the statement, your wife has suffered from COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) like signs and symptoms. But, all the investigations like RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) and rapid test for COVID-19 have become negative. According to the WHO's (world health organization) recent treatment guidelines for COVID-19 infection, if someone suffers from COVID-19 like symptoms with negative test results, then the person should be considered as COVID-19 infected patient and should take the necessary treatment for the same. According to the investigation reports provided here (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity), her urine analysis report shows pus cells, RBCs, etc. Still, they are within the normal limit, and her CBC (complete blood count) report says absolute lymphopenia. LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) and ferritin levels are within the normal limit. Low lymphocytes or lymphopenia may result from various health conditions. Among them, infections of viral, bacterial, or fungal origin are the main reason. As lymphocytes start fighting against any new infection in the body, they can decrease numbers or counts for their ongoing fighting against infections. After subsiding the infections, they will again return to their normal numbers over time. Your wife can undergo some investigations like the Widal test, Weil-Felix test, chest X-ray in case of cough to find out the exact cause of her present suffering and treat them accordingly. In the meantime, she can take symptomatic treatment for COVID-19 infection or other disease conditions. She can take broad-spectrum antibiotics like Cefixime for subsiding any infection and Acetaminophen or Paracetamol for her fever as well as body ache or headache. Take care. Let me know if I can assist you further.