This topic is about someone who has an ileostomy and is experiencing severe pelvic and stomach pain. They have been labeled as a "presumptive COVID-19" case because local labs are prioritizing testing for first responders, and only influenza has been ruled out. The person is trying to figure out if their pain is related to COVID-19 or their ostomy and is seeking advice on what to do next.

Here are some helpful insights and advice:

1. Reach out to specialist care as soon as possible:
- Contact your colorectal or ostomy surgeon by phone or email.
- Get in touch with certified ostomy or wound-care nurses, who might be able to arrange quick consultations or clinic visits.

2. Do not delay emergency evaluation if the pain continues or worsens:
- Two weeks of severe, unrelieved pain is too long. Go to the emergency department and mention "possible bowel obstruction with an ostomy" to get priority triage.
- If getting there is difficult, consider using an ambulance, which can help reduce wait times and ensure faster assessment.

3. Consider common ostomy-related causes of pelvic or abdominal pain:
- Partial bowel obstruction: Some people have experienced similar pain that was diagnosed and treated in the hospital.
- Mucus build-up in the rectal stump: Even after a colectomy, the rectum can secrete mucus, which might solidify, cause pressure, and pass as hard lumps.

4. Monitor your ileostomy function:
- Check if your stoma output is normal or reduced. Diminished or absent flow could indicate an obstruction and requires urgent care.

5. Differentiate COVID-19 symptoms:
- COVID-19 mainly affects the respiratory system. While muscle aches can occur, extreme rectal or abdominal pain is not typical. Without a confirmatory test, it's uncertain if COVID-19 is the sole cause.

6. Use available self-assessment tools:
- Online screening sites, like Alberta’s COVID-19 Self-Assessment, can help you decide when to seek immediate medical attention.

7. Gather information before appointments:
- Keep a log of your pain episodes, stoma output volume and consistency, presence or absence of mucus from the rectum, and any respiratory changes. This information can help clinicians make a quicker diagnosis.