The people who’ve Had It but been actually TESTED

[Bimbleboo]

Can we hear from those who’ve actually had it but as TESTED and confirmed cases? There’s a whole lot of ‘might have’ ‘think i have’ ‘potentially’ ‘sure I have’ and the only absolutely confirmed cases we hear are terrifying news stories and death counts which I expect is really impacting people’s fear of it. I don’t really think there’s much in the accounts of people who ‘think’ they’ve had it because so many symptoms are possibly explained by colds, tonsillitis, hay fever, migraines and.... anxiety (SO many symptoms people are having that they are completely convinced are Covid are very very similar to pure anxiety, understandably) I even think a lot of doctors and 111 calls are diagnosing based on symptoms , when it can so easily be something more mundane.

. It’s making me so fearful that maybe there is no ‘mild’ or ‘asymptotic’ to this at all. Just the horror stories. Although I am aware that’s completely irrational and incorrect.

I understand that it’s because so little testing is happening but I would so love to hear accounts from those who have actually been TESTED and know they’ve had it. Would anyone who knows they’ve had it (and by knows, I mean diagnosed with an actual test) care to share?

I have a 40-something friend in the US who has had it confirmed. He said he felt tired and muscle achy for a couple of days but no more (and he has a tendency to get bad chest infections so was worried).

*StillDumDeDumming.. I'm sorry to hear about your dp. I hope his condition improves

My FIL tested positive and is in hospital on oxygen, incredibly poorly. He also has underlying health conditions

My SIL who lives with him and is a nurse also tested positive and so far the only symptom is no smell.

It's weird isn't it, that there are so many degrees of severity with this virus? I mean, nearly 1000 per day dying in the UK and yet there are also many mild cases too. I wonder if they are in fact different mutations of the same virus.

BiL in hospital where a chest x-ray has supposedly confirmed Covid, and we've been told no further swab test will be taken as the doctor believes the chest plates to be conclusive (build-up of liquid and mucous causing constriction). She said this method of diagnosis is common in Spain and has the added benefit of revealing the extent of the problem right away. BiL has had a cough for a while but no temperature. Is now lethargic and 'sleepy'. Really worried for him as has a learning disability and doesn't really understand what's going on

My colleague's daughter tested positive. Had what we'd normally consider as flu, so felt pretty rough, but wasn't hospitalised and recovered within 2-3 weeks.

My sister currently has it ( works on covid ward). She is on day 8. She had a mldly high temperature and cough that went higher after a few days. She now feels bunged up and weak. She is in her 30's with no underlying conditions.

@StillDumDeDumming that must be so frightening for you both. I hope he continues to get better xxx

@WomanIsTaken oh no :(. That’s an added cruelty and worry for you all as he won’t understand. Sending thoughts your way x

Yes, the UK.

My brother is 49 and consultant ITU Doctor. 10 days in, still feverish and feeling bad, managing from home
I feel so sad he's alone, no family there, got it probably from work 😔 and throws himself into work so bound to get it at some point

NHS staff on the front line have been amazing and put themselves at risk for the good of the nation - they're amazing

@Bimbleboo recent email from work attached.

Ryan Tubridy (Irish presenter). I think he was tested due to contact with a confirmed case?

"I was very very fortunate. It wasn't a particularly lovely thing to experience but I was very fortunate in the sense that I had this persistent cough.

"I got it checked out, the test came back positive and that's all that happened in my case.

"Nothing else happened. I didn't have a fever, I didn't have the flu, I didn't take so much as a pill, paracetamol.

HAPPY TO BACK
"It was that low level and almost negligible amount of virus and yet I disappeared because I felt it was the right thing to do and it was, in many ways, a useful thing for me to do because I was pretty tired anyway and to take a couple of weeks to just to rest up was really a very very good thing to do."

"I feel on top of the world today, very healthy, very grateful and quite humbled by what happened actually."

Claire Byrne (Irish broadcaster)

"She said she had been displaying symptoms of what she assumed was a head cold or chest infection and she said she had no temperature at any stage.

...over the course of the next couple of days the symptoms got worse.

During last week, she said, she had aching limbs and experienced real fatigue.

Ms Byrne also said for three successive nights she had a "hacking cough" and she was "becoming breathless."

She said it as "the worst moment" because she said "I was getting to the point where I was struggling for breath."

Ms Byrne said her "symptoms have abated" and she is now "through the worst of it."

www.rte.ie/amp/1124914/

Friends husband (doctor so tested). V mild. Back at work within 8 days I believe

I was sure I had it a month ago took a few weeks to get over decided to pay for private anti body test and it was negative. I do know people who have officially tested positive a couple I know who are paramedics and my mum's best friends husband has unfortunately passed away from it 😢 She hasn't been tested but has had no symptoms. But possibly had it given they lived together.

Confirmed positive swab test on day 9 of symptoms
Flu symptoms (temp, aches, mild cough) till day 11 then shortness of breath and pain inhaling
Really bad diarrhoea for some days
Xray showed 'covid changes' eg bilateral pneumonia but I haven't needed oxygen or antibiotics or anything just home for fluids and rest
Feeling tired but not too bad

This thread is very useful, thanks OP. I think so many people have “symptoms” - my mum told me two friends of hers had/have it (in 40s/50s, both okay) but neither has been tested so it could be anything.

I currently have awful hay fever, which I get every single year - symptoms are sneezing, runny nose, cough at night from post-nasal drip, sometimes itchy eyes. We have cherry blossom trees in our street. I take antihistamines prescribed by the doctor, plus a prescription nasal spray. My mother is absolutely certain I have CV-19. Like I have every single spring/summer? (Thankfully we do not live together!)

@MsMeNz Where did you get the private antibody test done?

Frontline NHS, headache, myalgia and temp up to 39. Tested positive about 4 days in. Cough, shortness of breath and loss of smell about 7 days in.
Back at work after 2 weeks - still a bit SOB and knackered by the time I get home. Would rather have it out of the way though as constant exposure.
Antibody tests next week but I think only to try to validate these rather than accurate reflection of immunity.
It was quite unpleasant

@Sienna9522 that’s amazing. I’ve also just seen another frontline nhs worker mention the same.
I had started to feel hopeless re the antibody testing because I felt they sort of stopped talking about them after saying none were working yet. Hearing that they ARE starting them is so so hopeful. I really hope yours comes back to say you’ve had it already. Just so you can feel safe and know your personal risk is low now. Fingers crossed. Xx

Tested positive and tested because of my job. I'm on day 7. Had a temp for one day, worst headaches ever, weakness and dizzy, tight chest occasionally coughing and some mild shortness of breath on exertion, no smell or taste

@klouise777 sorry to hear you are sick but pleased to hear it might be fairly mild for you.? I hope so!

My uncle, aged 69. Admitted to hospital for a week needing high amounts of oxygen but on a ward, not intensive care. Positive swab. He’s still weak and tired but recovering very well at home. Otherwise fit and healthy.

^^ ooops typo. He’s 60 years old, not 69.