Thread by @RichPreston

There’s been a lot of interest in response to my previous tweet about catching Covid. Here’s an update for you on what’s happened. I offer no medical or scientific expertise. This is just my first-hand experience.

1. My initial symptoms were a headache, a blocked nose and a bit of a cough. It felt like a cold, and I thought it was a cold.
2. When I feel I’m starting to come down with something, I take echinacea, vitamin C and zinc. I also took things like Lemsip/DayQuil/NightQuil

3. When it didn’t go away after a few days, I took a Lateral Flow test. It came back fuzzy but positive. I took another. It was a clear positive.
4. I took a PCR, which came back inconclusive. I took another, which came back positive.

5. At this point it still felt like just a bad cold.
6. I have had “proper flu” once in my life before, and that was horrendous. My flu experience was worse than this (so far).
7. I carried on with Lemsip, rest, and vitamins, and was starting to feel better.

8. To avoid making the rest of my household sick, I stuck to the spare room. To those who asked why I couldn’t play with my dog - for the simple reason that he isn’t allowed upstairs. As much as I’m 💯 his favourite, he’s being taken very good care of - thank you for your concern

I would keep away from others to avoid passing a bug on to them regardless of what I was sick with. Some ppl seem to find this strange. I call it considerate. And if you have different rules for your dog, that’s great, but this is mine. My dog and cat are v well loved & cared for

9. I’ve had three vaccinations. Two AZ and a Pfizer booster. My booster was just about a week prior to my feeling ill/testing positive.

10. I’m generally young(ish), fit, and healthy. I run, go to the gym, cycle, hike, swim, do Pilates, and have a healthy diet.
11. I have v mild asthma, but nothing that’s ever caused concern and other than an inhaler “just in case”, no long term treatment.

12. Many asking why I got my booster, rightly pointing out that I don’t appear to be in the age category to have had it yet. I help provide care to a vulnerable elderly relative, hence my early eligibility.

13. The last 24hrs have taken a turn for the worse. Headaches got much more intense, also cough has got worse, and I’ve felt v nauseous.
14. I occasionally get migraines, and the headache felt like the worst migraine. Throbbing at the front of my head and pressure on my eyeballs

15. I’ve been sick a couple of times 🤢 (sorry for the gory details, but you asked!!)
16. This now felt on a par with my one very bad prior experience of flu
17. My appetite has also completely vanished
18. My sense of taste/smell definitely isn’t right

19. I’m feeling a bit brighter this morning, but still v run down. Headache has cleared up and nausea has abated.
20. Throughout, I’ve been very fatigued and tire easily. Been sleeping loads. Feel like I’m on 10% battery 🔋
21. I’ve had no issues or difficulty around breathing.

22. I muted replied to my previous thread. I’m v happy for people to debate and share opinions - it’s why I leave my replies open and don’t block people. But to have people openly telling my they hoped I would die, that it was my fault, I deserve it, etc, is just 🙄

23. Whatever happened to learning someone is unwell and simply (if you absolutely have to say something) saying “get well soon” regardless of whether or not you agree on the details around their sickness??

24. Thank you to the many who did send good wishes. A particular nod to those who shared that they don’t trust vaccines, etc *but* that they hoped I recovered soon and sent their best. Thank you. I don’t know why others feel the need to wish ill on a stranger

25. I’m now going to enjoy my daily dose of vitamins, paracetamol and some hot honey and ginger tea. And *hopefully* stay awake long enough to watch a film.