Had covid for 4 days, look 5 years older

[TheGander]

I tested positive on Sunday. I’ve been quite rough with it, but stable. Had fevers initially which have settled but now exhausted. I’m sleeping a lot. When I catch myself in the mirror though it’s quite sobering. I’m 56 and my face looks so drawn, as if it’s lost sub dermal fat in those 4 days. My hair is usually thick and bouncy, it’s now lying lank. Anyone else experienced this? Please tell me it’s reversible!

I imagine you’ve hardly eaten, that will contribute to you looking drawn, and feeling exhausted means you won’t be looking your best.
I’ve know a few people absolutely floored by this latest bout of covid, wishing you a speedy recovery, I’m sure you will be looking -and feeling- much better soon

I look terrible after illness like covid or flu, I had covid in October and looked rough after that, then I had a bad cold topped off by 3 cold sores and looked even worse. Hair always suffers after illness and goes lank

Yes it will get better. I looked haggard after my ten days with Covid and I also had a chicken pox like rash over my neck and chest - attractive! My hair fell out for a while after but then stopped. Hope you feel better soon!

I think some of it's dehydration, I was horrifically dehydrated due to fever and sweating buckets and felt out of sorts on the hydration front for a few days even after I was better. Feel much more balanced now and skin has re-plumped.
Drink lots and lots OP and remember you need extra salt if you are losing a lot of moisture through sweating.
I also take magnesium and potassium which help the mineral and moisture balance.

I look awful after having it last week. My skin is terrible as it's made my rosacea flare up

Thanks for these responses everyone, hope this doesn’t sound wrong but good to know it’s not just me experiencing this! I probably should drink more, certainly on day 1 and 2 with the fevers I was extremely thirsty and increased my drinking, but haven’t made the effort lately. That hair loss must have been worrying @AceofPentacles , I hope it has regrown.

It'll probably be dehydration. Your body is using all it's fluid reserves. Keep drinking water....

Get well soon OP.

Thanks fellow HRT taker! Got a cup of herb tea right next to me 😊