How long do symptoms last for?

[Mybabysmylife]

Hello. I have recently tested positive for Covid .. my partner has just got his results back and he is postive too. We're now waiting for our 3 kids results in the next day or so.. I have been ill for going on 5 days now with bad symptoms such as
Headache,nausea,body ache,blocked nose /runny nose/cough,tightchest,fatigue.
It's draining the worst is the body ache everyday I can barley walk due to this body ache. I take tablets and lemsip for the flu symptoms. How long did everyone else's symptoms last? My partner is starting to get really poorly now and I'm scared how we will be with 3 kids and how poorly we are right now 😭

sorry to read this.

Unfortunately it is hard to predict because it varies a lot. The most important thing is you try to rest as much as possible, as tiring yourself will make it worse and potentially slow recovery.

@ChameleonClara oh I'm trying so hard to rest but I have 2 kinds under 5 and a 9 year older that's also poorly it's so hard

Your symptoms sound similar to mine. I was bedridden for 3 days, felt poorly for a week and coughed for nearly 4 weeks. I hope you feel better soon x

I am sure it is a nightmare, you must be worried.

Could you ask neighbour or family to pop a family cooked meal on your doorstep to ave you from cooking?

We all had it in my house over Christmas and new year.
All different in symptoms and the length it lasted for.
The youngest who is 11 had a mild cough for 2 hours, that's was it.
My hubby was quite poorly for nearly 3 weeks.
My 24 year old son was poorly with fever and flu like symptoms for about 10 days, he recovered from that but he has now got long covid and is suffering with pain, he is weaker than before and now struggling to do exercise like he did before.
Hope you all feel better soon x

@LionMother I wish I could. I do not know my neighbours they have parties constantly and my family are not really like that cooking meals for us unfortunately. @Bati oh I feel dreadful for you all having to go through that! I've had back pain for months now and this body ache/Covid has made it 10x worse where I can't walk or bend down I'm drained and just so upset it's hurting to do anything and how and my backs getting with no reason behind it as I had it before the Covid started to surface it's horrible symptoms 😭

Day 9/10 was the game changer for me! I had the flu symptoms & awful cough/out of breathe. Things that helped me was lots of hot drinks, keep on top of painkillers and rest (when/if you can of course). Wish there was more I could do to help you! It's rough, sendings lots of hugs x

@ker89 I know it's awful! I've had so many hot drinks I just can't get comfy without laying in bed but it's so hard having toddlers and my partner looking after them when he's ill too 😭

@Mybabysmylife I totally feel for you. We have a one year old to look after and that was hard enough! And that was without my partner being that poorly. It'll be all over soon fingers crossed x

@ker89 that's what I can't wait for it to all be over never felt so poorly and weak!! 😭xx

I've had symptoms since 2 Feb. The fever started on 6th and hasn't gone. I've had to be signed off work.

Having spoken to drs. Day 8/9 is apparently a typical indicator of how things will go. I.e. you begin to get better or things deteriorate.

Don't be afraid to call 111 for advice. I have had to on two occasions and had drs call back quite quickly. First occasion my chest was bad. I was prescribed antibiotics which did seem to help my chest - having spoken with a gp relative it seems the antibiotics are being prescribed to stave off possible bacterial chest infections as a precaution.

@okokok000 I'm going to ring them tommorow as I can't catch my breath I'm coughing that much I've burst blood vessels in my eyes from coughing that hard

@Mybabysmylife really sorry to hear this. If you're struggling to catch your breath please ring them now. You may need go go to hospital. Do you have a pulse oximeter? I had one from when i had a heart problem a few years ago. It has been invaluable to monitor oxygen levelsz

If you call now they'll do an initial assessment then have a dr call you back.

from asymptomatic to long covid; I think I read about someone leaving hospital who'd been there several months.

I tested positive 7 weeks ago - I feel fine now 99% of the time, but I definitely still get tired more easily, certain amount of 'brain fog' - and on occasions a lack of spatial awareness.

It's different for everyone so it's very hard to know how long it will go on for.

I found hot baths soothing for the body aches and the steam eased the coughing/sinus pain for me too. I spent a lot of time in the bath.

I second a pulse oximeter. They are only about £20 and being able to check your oxygen levels is important.

We had take away pizza delivered a couple of times just simply for the ease of having food the kids could eat and help themselves to without needing to cook.

Please do ring your GP or 111 if you are feeling too breathless. It's important you get help if you are not breathing ok.

I do hope you feel better soon.

Definitely give 111 a call if you’re struggling to catch your breath. They can assess you and either reassure you or make sure you get the medical attention you need. I hope you feel better soon.

I tested positive in January after catching the virus at work along with 12 of my colleagues. My DH and DS21 tested positive 5 days later. I felt a bit "off" for the first 9 days but still managed to work from home and cook meals etc. Then on day 10 I started to feel really poorly and the breathlessness and coughing were truly awful. I had raging temps and couldn't get out of bed.

Have you got an oximeter to check your oxygen levels? I got one and I'm really pleased I did as my oxygen levels dropped really low and I ended up in hospital for the afternoon getting checked out. Luckily although my oxygen levels were low I was told they were "acceptable" for someone with Covid and they checked my lungs and they were clear so I just needed to continue to rest and let myself recover. It took me another 10 days before I started to feel better.

My DH and DS on the other hand suffered mild flu like symptoms for about 3 days and then they were fine.

I hope you get well soon Op. It's very scary I know.

My body aches were the symptom that was worst, but went away quickest - after the first week. However, various symptoms went on a few weeks (tired, breathless, headaches, lost sense of smell from day 10 for 10 days, brain fog). My boyfriend had brain fog until this week when it went (tested positive for COVID early Jan).

Hi @Mybabysmylife I've been thinking about you? How are you getting on?

@okokok000 hey! I don't know really I mean I feel a lot better but my chest is really weird it's like I'm breathless and don't manage to get a proper breath feels like a have a block in my chest that only allows so much breath I'm dizzy too today.🤔

So pleased you posted. I've been worried. Have you called 111? If not you really should (sorry to nag).

You may need antibiotics to help your chest. I found they really helped me in the long run. 111 will triage you and get a dr to call you back. Write a list of what you're experiencing (my mind goes blank otherwise). It will help give a bigger picture. What is your temperature like? Let us know how you get on.

Really how you begin to feel better soon!

@okokok000 I have just rang 111 they said to wait and see how I am in a couple days, they won't give me no antibiotics either I've asked twice:( Thankyou for been so concerned. I felt ok till now and now I feel dreadful again xx