I went back and forth about talking about this but my partner has Covid and the last two weeks of my life have been some of the scariest. The reason why I’m sharing is because I’ve read so much information but the most informative has been first person accounts of folks with it.
We were both exposed in mid-March. He was deemed an “essential worker” because he works with the homeless and was exposed again at work. It took about three days to figure out that we were probably dealing with Covid. In 3 days he went from feeling a little weak to 101.5 fever.
Along with the fever he had something we had not read about: sensitive skin. His skin felt like it was burning - even when he barely had a fever of 99+ We literally used aloe gel for sunburn to soothe it. The NP later told us she had heard others say that too.
The same things you’ve read other places also happened: *extreme* fatigue, escalating fever, terrible headaches, but no cough early on.
Day 5 we went to the ER bc his fever spiked to 102.3 and a nurse told us he might have Sepsis. @MountSinaiNYC had an AMAZING staff and a seamless process. I was taken in the ER too because I started feeling a little bad and you can’t accompany patients if you aren’t one.
We were both admitted to the ER after being triaged in the lobby. He was dehydrated and had elevated blood sugar so they put him on an IV. They gave us both chest X-rays and the Covid test 😱 which is *brutal* (but fairly quick). He was positive and I was negative.
They said we could go home bc he didn’t have respiratory issues yet. I asked the doctor under what circumstances to bring him back and she said “if he even skips a breath call 911.” So, of course, I went home and stayed up all night watching him breathe. 🥺
The next few nights 6-9 were BAD. His fever would level off in the day time and spike at night. I gave him DayQuil, vit C and B12, and ran the humidifier with Oregano oil drops. He drank tea with ginger, elderberry, lemon and honey or hot water with lemon all day and hardly ate.
When he did eat it was soup and crackers. Oh and at night I rubbed his feet with Thieves Oil and put socks on him. The worst was day 8 when his fever went to 102.9 and he began to have convulsions. I called the telemed doctor at Mt. Sinai again (they are WONDERFUL and each time
I called they came to the phone in 15 mins or less). The doctor said I needed to get his fever down. I put him in the shower (a whole other story) and gave him Tylenol cold & flu extra strength (he took that at night) and it started to come down in about two hours.
Just have to say this was the SCARIEST night because the pressure of making the wrong decision was overwhelming. Felt like one wrong move could kill him. I didn’t sleep at all. But by morning his fever was at 101+ again and he was calmed. This was the peak I believe.
It never went that high again. We were told he has to go 3 days with no fever and no meds. Today is day 3. We are on day 15 overall and he has a horrible cough which started about 4 days ago and headaches, but is up and about. 🙏🏾🙌🏾
I have still not had any real symptoms. I’ve had headaches and body aches that are likely exhaustion but no real fever. I’m operating as if I’m asymptomatic though just to be safe. And we are trying to keep some distance just in case.
He’s not 100% but he’s much, much better. I don’t wish this on *anyone* as a patient or caretaker. It’s scary and hard and bc it affects everyone differently you just don’t know. I think folks need to be prepared with meds in your house just in case.
I ran out midway through and couldn’t order any. My brother had to come out and get me some and leave them at my door. Get your herbal/non traditional stuff too. And find out which hospital is offering the best care locally. I initially used the Heal App which takes insurance.
It’s $79 if you don’t have insurance and you get a video call and a follow up via phone.
I don’t know if our story is helpful. I hope so. I just want folks to know it’s not just like a *bad flu* or cold.
I don’t know if our story is helpful. I hope so. I just want folks to know it’s not just like a *bad flu* or cold.
I worry about folks who live alone or couples who both get it because you might very well need to be cared for but not qualify to be hospitalized. Not sure of a solve but now that I’ve come through it I’m wondering about a Corp of folks who have built up immunity.
Also, the doctor instructed him to stay inside at least 7 more days to be sure he’s all the way through it. I would also suggest to let it run its course. He started trying to work out again and nearly fainted! Anyway, please stay safe and do your best not to get it at all.
