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Original poster

FFS! Dodged the Covid bullet for 3 years and now here we are…

94 replies

MintyCedric · 25/07/2023 10:33

Went to a festival last week/end. Came back feeling a bit ropey as expected and decided to take a test this morning.

Two glorious bright pink lines came up!

I’ve had all the jabs (last one about 10 months ago) and so far it just feels like bad allergies/beginning of a cold with a slightly iffy tum.

DD is at work for the day then decamping elsewhere. I’ve ordered more tests and a grocery delivery. Can do some work from home if I’m feeling up to it which I am atm. Have thermometer and pulse oximeter purchased back in the early days…

…any other advice or ideas what to expect. I hope hunker down, good food (still have my appetite and taste thank God) and lots of fluids will knock it on the head pronto.

OP posts:

sevenbyseven · 25/07/2023 10:43

I felt grotty the first time but not as bad as flu. Unless you have any particular risk factors I wouldn't worry.

Original poster

MintyCedric · 25/07/2023 10:59

Well I’m fat and asthmatic so…slightly terrified having not had it before tbh.

I also suffer with anxiety and panic attacks which of course affect my breathing so a bit of a perfect storm!

OP posts:

KnittedCardi · 25/07/2023 11:04

You should be fine OP. The newer strains are not respiratory in nature. More head-achey, fatigue, coldy. Upper tract. Rest, take paracetamol. You should be better in a couple of days, but may feel weak for a week or two

PerspiringElizabeth · 25/07/2023 11:08

You’ll be fine.

Hbh17 · 25/07/2023 11:16

Stop testing - it's not necessary, and you'll immediately feel better if you just ignore it.

Original poster

MintyCedric · 25/07/2023 11:38

@KnittedCardi that’s really good to know, thanks. Exactly how I feel as well…tbh I thought it was hayfever last night.

@Hbh17 I take your point but don’t fancy passing it on to my 84 mum with a heart condition and pretty sure my colleague who had long Covid last year wouldn’t fancy round 2!

OP posts:

JoeyRamoney · 25/07/2023 11:41

Hi OP

Fat, asthma, and health anxiety too.

I stopped testing. I dont panic when I have a cough/cold/flu normally. I do the normal things like try not to spread it about, avoid busy public places where I can, use hand sanitiser etc.

FYI I barely had a symptom - its very hit and miss how it effects people! Rest up, you will be fine.

ManchesterLu · 25/07/2023 11:53

You'll be fine. Treat it as you would if you had a cold. Your DP does not need to 'decamp elsewhere'. Drink plenty, rest when you're able, enjoy some snacks and watch some trashy TV. You. Will. Be. Fine.

SpeckledlyHen · 25/07/2023 11:58

I dodged it for three years and then got hit in April of this year. I know it effects us all totally differently but I will say it hit me hard. I did not test negative for 10 days. Both me and husband got it and he was really quite poorly with it also where he is normally very fit and strong.

Hope you feel better soon and I will say Buttercup Broncho Stop really helped with the sore throat. A friend mentioned them to me and I pooh poohed it a bit but she posted some so I tried them and they really worked.

ilovebagpuss · 25/07/2023 12:23

You should be fine just like a standard cold. The 4 times I had it (healthcare job) it was just like a rough cold. Even pre vaccine it was more like a flu.
Obviously I'm not minimising how devastating it was for some people and yes I would avoid my elderly relatives. However on the bright side lots of very elderly frail residents in our care home had it recently (all vaccinated) and no one was too unwell.
Still take care of yourself like normal cold and do paracetamol and fluids.

Remotecontrolatmyside · 25/07/2023 12:28

Hbh17 · 25/07/2023 11:16

Stop testing - it's not necessary, and you'll immediately feel better if you just ignore it.

She can test if she wants to test and not testing doesn't mean she's going to feel better.

Brk · 25/07/2023 12:30

The covid virus has mutated many many times since the start of the pandemic. Viruses mutate to become (a) weaker and (b) more contagious. The version of covid you have caught will be much much weaker than the original rather deadly version. So, by avoiding if for 3 years, you have avoided the nastiest versions of it and also benefited from vaccine protection.

What to expect: different people experience it differently. You have have no symptoms, or cold/flu symptoms such as temperature cough and bone aches. As you are fully vaccinated and on a weak version of the virus, my guess is you will feel a bit hot/dizzy/weak for a day or two wjile you produce antibodies, and that will be it.

That said, I and many friends all felt VERY tired for 3 months after having covid for the first time. It does seem to strain the heart/lungs. So, I suggest if you do a lot of physical activity like jogging/aerobics, that you rest more and expect much less of yourself for the next 2-3 months, to avoid overworking your heart.

Original poster

MintyCedric · 25/07/2023 12:31

ManchesterLu · 25/07/2023 11:53

That’s largely what I’m planning.

It’s DD that might decamp - purely because she’s just started a new job and has tickets for a gig at the weekend so doesn’t want to catch anything!

@ilovebagpuss I’m glad the vaccines are working so well for the people you look after. I became quite reclusive during the brunt of it as I was caring for elderly (and in my dad’s case, terminal) parents which probably explains why this is my first bout!

OP posts:

DinnaeFashYersel · 25/07/2023 12:31

I've had 4 jags and when I caught covid I would describe it as worse than a cold but better than flu.

I was in bed unwell for about 3 days. Then still felt rubbish but able to watch tv in pjs for another 2 days. Back to work after a week. I didn't have a lot of energy for the next few weeks.

Original poster

MintyCedric · 25/07/2023 12:33

So, I suggest if you do a lot of physical activity like jogging/aerobics

Haha, not much danger of that!

It’s really helpful to know more about the science…I’m not totally neurotic but I’m not great with uncertainty so having a rough idea of what to expect (which deep down I know could be anything but still…) is soothing.

OP posts:

amusedbush · 25/07/2023 12:36

I managed to avoid it and was starting to feel like some sort of bionic woman, but it finally got me at New Year. I'd tested regularly throughout the pandemic but actually only tested that time out of courtesy, because I had an appointment with my beautician and I knew she was flying home to visit her parents shortly after.

I'd had all of the vaccinations and it started off like a mild cold, which lulled me into a false sense of security. It kicked the shit out of me, quite frankly! It took 10 or 11 days before I got a negative test and it was a full month before my resting heart rate came back down to normal.

Don't worry too much but you might find you feel worse later in the week, so take it easy.

OCaptain · 25/07/2023 12:53

Hbh17 · 25/07/2023 11:16

Stop testing - it's not necessary, and you'll immediately feel better if you just ignore it.

Is that what passes for science now? "You'll feel better if you ignore it". Congrats on a new height of ridiculousness.

Makemineacosmo · 25/07/2023 13:00

OP people will say test/don't test but you should just do what you feel comfortable with. I had it for the second time a few weeks ago and tested because I have a vulnerable DD and my mil is in her 90s. It's not for anyone else to tell you that you shouldn't be testing if you have people around you that you are concerned about.

weightymatters73 · 25/07/2023 13:25

1st time I had a high temperature, but would say it was less bad than flu. 2nd time didn't even realise but had to test as going to hospital with my Dad for an appointment (we both had it and he's 80 and barely noticed it!).

I was "better" in 3 days - well under the 5 days we had to isolate for it at the first time, and 2nd time I literally only knew I had it as had a mild cold and tested.

Bear in mind no one tests any more and no one is isolating.

Personally I wouldn't worry...

LlynTegid · 25/07/2023 13:33

You should be fine.

Tracey Emin had it last week so you are not alone.

TenderDandelions · 25/07/2023 13:35

I've had it twice now, most recently in January.

I get terrible brain fog with Covid, but otherwise just feel like I have a cold for a couple of days, then feel better.

I currently have a cold at the moment. I've already had it nearly a week and am still in the "getting worse by the day" phase. By the time I've shifted it I'll have had it for nearly 2 weeks.

I know Covid affects everyone differently, but based on my experience of it, I'd prefer to have Covid than a cold!

mosiacmaker · 25/07/2023 13:37

overdose on liposomal vitamin C!

Original poster

MintyCedric · 25/07/2023 13:53

I get terrible brain fog with Covid…

I’m nearly 48…so far I can’t tell what’s Covid and what’s menopause!

I’ve rummaged Vits C, D and Omega 3,6,9 out of the cupboard and added them to my normal meds. Got everything handy in my bedroom.

At the moment it’s the aches that are most unpleasant.

OP posts:

Makemineacosmo · 26/07/2023 09:03

Everyone will tell you different things because everyone's experiences are different. I felt worse the second time round, but for a shorter length of time.

Original poster

MintyCedric · 27/07/2023 05:34

@amusedbush how long did it take for you to go from mild cold to full on grim?

On Day 3 and have an intermittently sore throat and headache (more like occasionally feeling as if someone is driving a tent peg through my skull), aches and generally feeling bleurgh. Also raging insomnia and feeling nauseous and hungry at the same time!

Tbh I’m feeling like I’ve got lucky atm (touch wood) but a bit worried about the false sense of security thing as another friend had a similar thing.

Also am really bored of feeling crap!

OP posts:

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