Day 10 - feel terrible - what's happening?

[Womansfreakly]

So I tested positive 10 days ago, initially very strong line, now a very faint line. Returned to work today but WFH as still positive. I have felt truly awful, raging sore throat, uncontrollably shakes and now temp 39.5. I'm taking paracetamol - should I do anything else?

Actually feeling quite frightened

Sorry to hear that OP. How we you feeling up til now?

COVID does quite often worsen in the second week. Days 10-14 were absolutely the worst for me the first time I had it but I had been I'll up to that point, it wasnt like I was asymptomatic and suddenly got sick.

Another possibility is that the COVID has weakened your system and you've caught a second infection - I know a couple of people who followed COVID with a tonsillitis chaser.

Anyway, try not to be frightened. Treat the temperature, rest and if things dont improve (or worsen) contact your doctor as you may need treatment.

Thank you for replying - I felt I'd had it quite bad as horrible symptoms from. Day 1 - aching muscles, awful headache & sinus pain. I wasn't taking medication 4 hourly though, today I'm counting down the minutes and even then it's not really helping.

Sorry I'm usually quite a positive person

Aw dont be sorry, covid is enough to make anyone weep. Sounds like you are following the original two week pattern in which case, sorry to say, you may feel like absolute shit for the next 3 or 4 days after which point it really should get better. For now though, rest and hydrate. Nothing good will come of pushing yourself to be better at this point.

Keep an eye on your breathing and blood o2 esp if you are not vaccinated, as it is at this point that problems can kick in (though I think omicron is far less likely to cause lung problems so all should be well). If you havent had the cough yet it may show up any day now.

I had a similarly high temp for about 48 hours and then the cough arrived and I was still rough for another few days.
I'm day 13 now and it's first day I'm feeling better and not noticeably taking pain relief throughout the day (like you I was counting down till the next dose).

It was horrible and when you're in it, it feels like it will go on forever. I hope your temp drops down overnight!

My cough started on day 10 when I had it last October I thought I’d got away with no chest symptoms but developed a sudden cough! That lasted a further two weeks! Bizarre, it started after I got negative LFTs?!

You’ll be OK OP. It can be quite shit but it will get better. Just rest up if you are still feeling poorly, get a sick note etc.

I had it in September and the same thing happened to me, it was the day I started back at work as well so I felt sort of foolish about it for some reason because I'd been ok before! I ended up with sinus infections and colds galore for about two months, so am not sure if the Covid had weakened my immune system and the day 10 onwards thing was just a subsequent infection. Either way, you have my sympathy.

I currently have Covid again and am on day 4, I feel a bit crap but I'm also really wary about how it might progress now. I am always banging on to people not to go back to work too soon because Covid can lull you into a false sense of security.