Just tested positive and also fairly sure I had it in March

[Msloverlover]

If I did, it feel very different this time. Last time had a lot of breathlessness, aches, pains and fever. This time feels much more like a sinus infection/cold. Started off with sneezing which is making me convinced that this is how the new strain is gaining such momentum; it is using sneezing and other cold mechanisms to pass more quickly. I’m hoping that might mean it is also milder. I certainly don’t feel as ill as I did before but we shall see!

I had what you had in March in February, too early for covid really. Think there was something very similar going around in February/March. Hope you feel better soon.

Likewise. I had all the symptoms in March, as did a colleague. However she tested + a month ago so think it's unlikely either of us had it back in March.

fairly sure I had it in March

Why? There are hundreds of other viruses with those symptoms.

which is making me convinced that this is how the new strain is gaining such momentum

It's not. A couple of amino acids have been deleted and one changed in the spike protein which, in turn, increase how tightly the protein binds to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor.

We know it's possible to get it twice.

We don't yet know how long immunity lasts.

It's about 7-9 months after the first wave, so I dare say it's possible that lots of people are susceptible again

@MrsMiaWallis

I had what you had in March in February, too early for covid really. Think there was something very similar going around in February/March. Hope you feel better soon.

Covid has been found in Europe since back last year so why not here as well?

Or you may not have had it back then, its nothing but speculation. I hope you get better soon though.

It makes me wonder if I had it a few weeks ago - I had a headache for a week then a cold for a week and then a week of fatigue.

I had it in March (antibiotics detected in July) and just tested positive again yesterday. My experience is similar to yours - was so sick last time, started with gastric symptoms then like the worst flu. This time it's like a head cold and, oh yes, the sneezing!

Interestingly ds1 had a "cold" last week and my early symptoms were identical, except he had no cough so couldn't get tested.

fairly sure I had it in March
You probably didn't. Reinfection is unusual and especially if you've had totally different symptoms. Lots of people were talking themselves into being convinced they had it in March. Could be any number of other things.

Started off with sneezing which is making me convinced that this is how the new strain is gaining such momentum
The new strain isn't more likely to physically pass from one person to another, its just more likely to take hold when it gets there. The symptoms are the same.

@KitKatastrophe your information is out of date. Reinfection is actually rather common.

I am in the London area and lots of my friends are saying the same. But only 1 has actual tests to prove it - previous antibody test but recent Covid test as there just weren’t any tests around in March. Hopefully if this is true, it will be picked up through the NHS as many had antibody tests and are tested weekly for Covid.
It does make sense to me as so many people here had Covid in March and with this new strain they might be getting a much milder version. However, the unknown is for people who didn’t have it first time round - maybe for them the new strain isn’t mild, who knows!

I had COVID last March, lots of people did. I had - just like the op - breathlessness, raised temp, some coughing and terrible aches and pains. As a COVID test wasn't available in March I had mine confirmed by an antibody test, a proper government lab test, which showed I had a high amount of antibodies and had most certainly had COVID.

For those doubting the op, COVID was certainly around in March and the op probably did have it.

It's possible to have COVID twice if your immunity has run out, there may be different symptoms with the new strain...and sneezing would certainly aid transmission. No way of telling yet but it would be more difficult to tell the difference between the usual winter colds and a cold-type version of COVID, especially in children.