Thread by @GoughCJ

Now that I am recovering from Covid-19, I want to share my symptoms, and my experience, in case it is of help to anyone else. I've felt pretty rotten the last few days, but am finally improving.

I am only talking about my own experiences - as a patient, not a doctor. (1/n)

I'll have a quick moan about testing, and then go through my symptoms.

Testing, testing, testing.
We must stop the ridiculous imbalance where politicians and sports stars can apparently get tested, but frontline health workers cannot. The criteria must be consistent. (2/n)

Symptoms.

D1: The day of fevers and exhaustion.

Shivers and sweats were the story of the day. That and being utterly exhausted, with whole-body ache. Random temp: 38.5. One flight of stairs then stop for a rest. No appetite at all. (3/n)

The cough started in the afternoon.

Not a bad cough, and not productive. But just there every now and again to remind me that my lungs were also not happy.

I found out my brother (who I spent the proceeding week with) is unwell with similar symptoms. (4/n)

D2: No energy. Horizontal is the position to be in.

Sweats/shivers ongoing, but not as bad as yesterday. Cough more noticeable but not a big issue.

Intermittent headache started. Whole body still aches, and feeling weak. Zero appetite. Felt a bit brighter in the eve. (5/n)

D3: Feeling worse. Headache and fatigue worse.

Cough less frequent. Appetite improving but far from normal.

Another day of frequent naps & predominantly horizontal state.

Had to help with childcare in the evening - either baby has doubled in weight or I'm half as strong (6/n)

D4: Ongoing fatigue and reduced appetite.

Cough very infrequent now. Headaches still present, but improving.

Whole body still aches. Functionally pretty useless. Would quite like to feel better.

My brother is improving. His girlfriend now has symptoms. (7/n)

D5: Still pretty tired.

No headaches any more. Appetite up to 1/2 or 2/3 of normal.

Still no desire to leave the bed/sofa, let alone the house, which is fortunate since I still have 2 days of self-isolation to go. (8/n)

D6: Feeling a little better.

Or, thought I was, but then fell asleep on the sofa for an hour. So fatigue ongoing, and lacking energy.

Still no desire to leave the house.

Hoping tomorrow will bring much more energy 🤞 (9/n)

That is as far as I have made it (so far).

If you meet the criteria (temp [>37.8] or a new cough), please follow the advice and self-isolate.

Protect your patients.
Protect your colleagues.
Protect your friends and family.
Protect yourself. (10/10).