Anybody had the antivirals 10 days after catching it?

[octonautsmom]

Have managed to avoid covid since it first started, then last weekend felt like I had been hit by a bus, really high fever, aches and pains and generally felt like I had the flu.

Took a couple of tests over the weekend and they were negative so after spending the first day in bed I just got up and carried on with work etc. Have felt really crap all week, still just head cold type symptoms but just assumed I'd picked up a bad cold. Then last night my fever returned with a vengeance, I slept in 3 jumpers and was still shivering like crazy despite my temp being over 39. My chest had also gone really tight and I've got an awful cough.

Took another test this morning and it's positive. I have severe asthma so I had a letter last winter that said if I test positive I need to be given the antiviral medication. Just rang and spoke to 111 who said they will get someone to call me with the prescription soon. However I'm just wondering if it will actually help if I'm already 10 days in?

Antivirals are reasonably effective in the replication stage of the virus. By day 10 you’ll be in the inflammation stage and any benefit negligible, and actually can do more harm than good with side effects.

Steroids are far more effective in the inflammatory stage. You’ve been given questionable advice there. I would consult your gp.

I have bad asthma too and was shielded and told I'd be eligible for antivirals. When they eventually phoned me back they said I wasn't eligible. If you look online asthma isn't listed as one of the conditions eligible so goodness knows why they sent us letters. I'm now on day 9 since my positive test and feel worse than at the start. It's rubbish. I hope you feel better soon.

Thanks both, I will check with them when they eventually call me. Just spoken to a dr and he is going to put me on antibiotics as well because he thinks I also have a chest infection. Hopefully they will kick in soon as I'm barely able to get out of bed today

I think you have to fit fairly tight criteria to qualify for anti virals.
Also they are given in the first 5 days.
I am immunosuppressed and I do qualify. I have now had 5 vaccines and covid (was due my 6th vaccine on day I tested).
I tested positive on day 1 of symptoms and a doctor rang me on day 2 to offer me an infusion.

Ah ok, sounds like I probably won't be offered them when they call then!