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Original poster

CEV and just tested positive

35 replies

AlternativelyWired · 08/10/2022 11:12

I've avoided it so far and have had 4 vaccines. I am clinically extremely vulnerable so I'm worried how this will pan out.

If you are CEV and have had covid please could you tell me how the virus affected you?

I've reported my result and I think I'm eligible for treatment.

So far this feels like the same thing I get every autumn and end up on antibiotics and steroids with symptoms lasting 4-8 weeks. I was very ill last year and the GP wanted me in hospital but I had no one to look after the dc. I'm a single/lone parent and a carer for my elderly parent. I've been particularly tired this week with a bit of a scratchy throat and started with a bit of a cough yesterday and my chest is tight but mainly I'm aching and my head and face and teeth hurt like with sinusitis. I don't feel too bad considering all that. Ds have given me his cuddlies and we are watching Disney+ snuggled up on the sofa under a duvet. He's tested positive too today.

OP posts:
Abraxan · 08/10/2022 11:16

Find out if you are eligible for anti viral treatment. This could be by infusion or tablets. Key is to have it as soon as possible as it aims to stop the virus from worsening.

I called my GP for details and there is also a national number, it used to be too, which is helpful if GP is closed.

Ssmiler · 08/10/2022 11:24

My friend is CEV and is eligible for treatment - she had a number to phone. She caught covid last January and decided to phone the next morning - but had no real symptoms beyond exhaustion so left it a day - and kept delaying it until she was fully recovered a week later.

I’m not saying at all that you shouldn’t take your treatment (I’m risk averse so in her shoes I would have) but I’m just saying this to reassure you that there’s no guarantee at all that you’d become very unwell.

Good luck OP - best wishes for a full and speedy recovery.

hopeishere · 08/10/2022 12:18

DH and DS are both CEV. DS was fine after a day. DH had a mild illness. Neither had the antivirals.

Blossom4538 · 08/10/2022 12:26

Hi OP!
Sorry you have Covid…we have whole household with it at mo!
A family member over 70, very low lung capacity and CEV recently caught it for the first time. We were always dreading her catching it and she was worried sick. She was quite ill, started on steroids and antibiotics etc but bounced back within a couple of weeks. It was like flu.

She has now recently received the email stating she is under the criteria for anti-viral treatment.

So yes, see if you can start on that and/or try steroids again etc.

Just to reassure you, she was fine! A couple of really grotty weeks, but no need for hospital etc.

Get well soon!

AuntieLoll · 08/10/2022 13:05

I tested positive for the first time last month, reported it and within 30 hours (on a weekend) had been assessed on the phone, seen in hospital by a Dr, had the antiviral infusion and was on the way back home.
The speed at which I went from fine to feeling very unwell was frightening.
2 weeks on, whilst I’m still not feeling brilliant, I really do think having the antiviral made a difference. I’m CEV but also severely immunocompromised due to recent drug treatment.

I hope you are feeling better soon.

Asparagoose · 08/10/2022 13:12

I am CEV. I had Covid a few weeks ago. I felt shivery and nauseated for two days, then bunged up and woolly headed for another two days, then I just felt tired and a bit sniffly for a few more days. Didn’t even realise it was Covid for the first few days because it wasn’t severe enough! I had flu a few weeks earlier and that was much much worse than actual Covid was. The only thing that alerted me to it being Covid was when I lost my sense of smell. Otherwise I wouldn’t have realised because I didn’t think I was sick enough for it to be Covid.

VampiresWife · 08/10/2022 13:36

I'm CEV and have just got over my seventh infection. I've had six vaccinations, although the last one overlapped with my most recent bout of covid (I tested positive two days after having it) so likely wouldn't have had time to offer much protection. I don't get a particularly good immune response from vaccinations anyway, hence all the infections!

Most of my infections were very mild - the last one was so mild I was told I didn't need antivirals. Twice (March 2020 and April this year) were quite nasty but nowhere near bad enough to need hospital. In April I was given antivirals and felt better almost immediately.

Have you had a letter from the NHS saying you're eligible for AVs, OP? If so call 111, your hospital consultant or your GP to speed things along.

Get well soon OP, take care of yourself 💐

Original poster
AlternativelyWired · 09/10/2022 09:49

7th!!! Jeez!

I feel more chesty this morning. I'm more mucousy and breathless and my chest aches but the other aches are much better. I took double my usual codeine last night and I think that's helped with the early morning aches. Thinking about it before I tested positive I had none of the classic symptoms. I had a vague cough every now and again, no fever, and no change to taste or smell. In the past week I've felt PMTy, nauseous, achey and tired-all my usual period been awol for weeks peri menopause symptoms apart from the nausea. Then a slightly scratchy throat. Nothing to write home about on any of that until yesterday.
I'm waiting for the NHS to call about the anti-virals.

OP posts:
Abraxan · 09/10/2022 10:02

AlternativelyWired · 09/10/2022 09:49

7th!!! Jeez!

I feel more chesty this morning. I'm more mucousy and breathless and my chest aches but the other aches are much better. I took double my usual codeine last night and I think that's helped with the early morning aches. Thinking about it before I tested positive I had none of the classic symptoms. I had a vague cough every now and again, no fever, and no change to taste or smell. In the past week I've felt PMTy, nauseous, achey and tired-all my usual period been awol for weeks peri menopause symptoms apart from the nausea. Then a slightly scratchy throat. Nothing to write home about on any of that until yesterday.
I'm waiting for the NHS to call about the anti-virals.

If they don't phone within 24 hours of reporting the positive result then call them yourself.
I did and it got things moving very quickly from then on.
You don't have to,wait them to call you.

Inclinedtochatter · 09/10/2022 10:07

The NHS rang me within 24 hours of reporting my result. I got sent meds the next day. To be honest they had some grotty side effects such as diarrhoea and vomiting and I felt dizzy but persevered as who knows how I may have felt if I hadn't taken them. Still testing positive after 7 days but I'm okay just coughing and I've lost sense of taste and smell.

Original poster
AlternativelyWired · 09/10/2022 10:14

When did you lose your sense of smell and taste?

OP posts:
hopeishere · 09/10/2022 10:19

AlternativelyWired · 09/10/2022 10:14

When did you lose your sense of smell and taste?

I'm not sure that's a symptom with the current variant.

Original poster
AlternativelyWired · 09/10/2022 10:55

I've spoken to 111 and all they do is refer over to the antiviral team who will contact me within 24hrs.

OP posts:
RedRosie · 09/10/2022 10:56

You will almost certainly be fine. My DH (blood cancer, stage 4) has had it twice now. The first time he had antivirals and the second time he didn't bother. Both illnesses were almost the same ... A medium level sort of cold, recovery in less than a week. Obviously everyone is different but he feels better having had it, as do both of my very aged parents (one of whom has only one and a half lungs, heart failure AND kidney failure) who had COVID in June. I was so worried about them that I phoned their doctor demanding action ... But they were fine too, with no interventions.

Inclinedtochatter · 09/10/2022 13:47

I lost my sense of smell and taste on day 3

Senso21 · 09/10/2022 17:00

I’m taking antivirals at the moment. Almost negative day 5/6.
they took the edge off with the first dose - well I think so, I might have felt like that regardless who knows. They do bring their own side effects though, can tell you’re taking something strong!
i was told to call 111 if I’d not been contacts within 24 hours x

Asparagoose · 10/10/2022 00:43

AlternativelyWired · 09/10/2022 10:14

When did you lose your sense of smell and taste?

I realised I lost my smell on day 5. That was what tipped me off to it being Covid. Prior to that I had thought it was just a medium level cold, not even severe enough to be flu.

MrsSkylerWhite · 10/10/2022 00:48

CEV husband contracted after having 3 boosters.
sore throat, bit of a headache, slightly raised temperature (38) and aching joints for 4/5 days.
has now had 4th booster.
not worried here.
get well soon 💐

verballyincompetent · 10/10/2022 00:52

I'm CEV - a transplant patient. I had a mild cold - was offered treatment but declined as I was fine. Made a full recovery after a few days and was able to wfh throughout. Interestingly DP was more unwell than me and he's got no underlying conditions!

neighboursmustliveon · 10/10/2022 01:04

I hope you are ok OP. My husband has well controlled asthma so while not CEV, is more vulnerable and was always extra worried about getting it. He had it early this year and was fine. He felt ill and was bed bound for 5 days but while laid down he didn't feel too bad. It was when he got up and tried to move that was the issue. His breathing and everything was fine though and it never went to his chest which was always his worry.

BeanStew22 · 10/10/2022 01:24

A close friend who is CEV (CF and low lung capacity) caught COVID in August- was relatively unwell for 2 weeks (at home) now fully back to old self - rest up OP

been and done it. · 10/10/2022 02:02

AlternativelyWired · 08/10/2022 11:12

I've avoided it so far and have had 4 vaccines. I am clinically extremely vulnerable so I'm worried how this will pan out.

If you are CEV and have had covid please could you tell me how the virus affected you?

I've reported my result and I think I'm eligible for treatment.

So far this feels like the same thing I get every autumn and end up on antibiotics and steroids with symptoms lasting 4-8 weeks. I was very ill last year and the GP wanted me in hospital but I had no one to look after the dc. I'm a single/lone parent and a carer for my elderly parent. I've been particularly tired this week with a bit of a scratchy throat and started with a bit of a cough yesterday and my chest is tight but mainly I'm aching and my head and face and teeth hurt like with sinusitis. I don't feel too bad considering all that. Ds have given me his cuddlies and we are watching Disney+ snuggled up on the sofa under a duvet. He's tested positive too today.

Me too..tested positive on Thursday after being violently sick Wednesday night. I followed the protocols in the happy knowledge that I was eligible for the anti viral treatment but as I'm on a low steroid dose now apparently I'm not! I was gutted. Thankfully it's really no worse at the moment than a congested cold. I had my 6th jab a week ago maybe that helped? I have been terrified of catching it for 18 months. Hopefully it won't get any worse for either of us.

been and done it. · 10/10/2022 02:05

AlternativelyWired · 09/10/2022 09:49

7th!!! Jeez!

I feel more chesty this morning. I'm more mucousy and breathless and my chest aches but the other aches are much better. I took double my usual codeine last night and I think that's helped with the early morning aches. Thinking about it before I tested positive I had none of the classic symptoms. I had a vague cough every now and again, no fever, and no change to taste or smell. In the past week I've felt PMTy, nauseous, achey and tired-all my usual period been awol for weeks peri menopause symptoms apart from the nausea. Then a slightly scratchy throat. Nothing to write home about on any of that until yesterday.
I'm waiting for the NHS to call about the anti-virals.

Are you on steroids?

been and done it. · 10/10/2022 02:14

AlternativelyWired · 09/10/2022 10:55

I've spoken to 111 and all they do is refer over to the antiviral team who will contact me within 24hrs.

They told me the same and got back to me the same day after I'd rung 111 but said I was ineligible as my dose was low. Didn't understand really not sure what dosage has got to do with it. If you're immuno compromised that's the point surely.