Viruses

[karenmac60]

I have a colleague who has been off sick for 2 weeks now. She was in with her sick line last week claiming she had a virus and that her doctor was doing blood tests. I have never had blood drawn when I've had a virus and I know no one else who has - the doc usually just says 'it's a virus' and that is about it. I suspect she is chancing her arm since her sick line takes her nicely up to a month's annual leave for a trip to Australia then her early retirement at the end of March.
Has anyone else ever had blood taken for a virus that has only lasted a few days (as her's had at that point - she also looked and sounded fine btw)?

[LazyGun]

Im probably being dim - whats a "sick line"?

Several viruses can be screened for by blood tests, but they do tend to be for fairly serious medical conditions. Things like Hepatitis, for instance.

Only mild viral illness where a blood test as a diagnostic tool is commonly employed that I can think of is Glandular Fever.

[mike11111]

Sick line is a local expression for a doctor's sick note.

[karenmac60]

Is that just a local thing? I thought that's what everyone called it :)
A couple of us were off with heavy colds and she claimed to have the same but without the cough or the runny nose (?), then she said it was a virus. I think she's at it.

[mike11111]

A sick note is the expression we use (NE England).

[rowanwitch]

if she's retiring anyway why waste energy....

but seriously there are a number of viruses where a gp might consider sending a person for blood tests... but from what you've said I think the little puncture in her arm might be noticeable by its absence

[bednobs]

perhaps she has a virus AND they are sending off a blood test (something different)

[China Doll]

I was feeling quite run down, achey etc a couple of years back which I put down to a virus of some sort but there didn't seem to be anything specific wrong with me... One of the docs I worked with sent me for some blood tests just to check all was ok. (It was and whatever that feeling was seemed to pass a few weeks later).

[joannie10]

my friend has been achey and run down for a wee while - they are saying its 'viral' but she has just had some blood tests done!

[Sqad]

As Lazygun has mentioned, the only "viral blood test" would be to exclude glandular fever.

During a "viral illness" blood tests may be sent off for various reasons, but none to establish the presence of an active disease producing virus.

[karenmac60]

Thanks guys - I still think she's at it. Last time she was off long term she went to a wedding in Las Vegas. It just pi$$es me off that she's a big drama queen who gets everyone's sympathy when she's just chancing her arm.

[thebarron]

Never had a day off sick

[douglas9401]

Forgive me Karen but is that your considered opinion as a theatre critic, urologist AND G.P? :)

[jubieanna]

love yout avatar douglas! snap

[karenmac60]

No, but it is my opinion as someone who has worked with her for 15 years and has seen her do this time after time.

[douglas9401]

I was jest joshin ya Kaz, there's at least one in most workplaces Relax they usually get what's coming to them.

jubieanna, moo! :D

[lady-janine]

full of sympathy for you karen. i worked with one for years. i had to be almost dying to get people believe i needed a couple of days off and she waltzed off with a slight sniffle. maybe it meant they were glad to see the back of her. didn't look like that at the time.