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Original poster

How is COVID presenting now?

342 replies

Icecreamcoffee · 17/08/2023 12:16

I stopped following about covid and I'm wondering, how is it presenting now? What are peoples symptoms.

My mother was in town last week and so was I. I heard soany people with stuff and viral things and coughs. My mother has a sore throat now. She was definitely exposed to something whatever it is. Just wondering if COVID starts off as a sore throat?

OP posts:
stripytees · 26/09/2023 15:16

Did anyone test negative for a while before testing positive?
I've been unwell since Thursday last week now - fairly mild but definitely cold symptoms, tickly cough, feel strangely hot and cold at the same time. I've tested Sunday evening and again this afternoon and both negative, so perhaps it's just a cold but I haven't knowingly come into contact with anyone with a cold either.

K73c · 26/09/2023 15:30

When I had covid in August symptoms came on more suddenly than the last time I had it and I tested positive straight away. But my teen has had an odd illness that started off last thurs/fri as if tonsilitis (she gets it most years) so got anti-biotics and she improved / temp down 24h later, but then sunday fever returned and body again so tested for covid again & have everyday (5 days all neg covid - I think my husband thinks I'm over testing re covid but I have read of folk not testing til several days after & the weirdness of symptoms coming and going does feel more like covid. ) Today she has come out in an all over body rash. I guess if 5 days since symptoms , isn't the info now that not infectious / that infectious after 5 days?? Well that's what dh was telling me but I'm not sure whether to believe it. I'm v v v fatigued still 6 wks later so I am really concerned about long covid esp for the kids. Hope you feel better soon

K73c · 26/09/2023 15:33

There are a few different strains going around : Fornax, Kraken & Pirola. I think Kraken is the newer one that come from abroad and is being watched. Saw this from a thread on twitter about a set of symptoms kids been getting i n school with D&V and questions about if could be covid.

Laurap39 · 26/09/2023 16:01

Think I’ve got pirola then

thaegumathteth · 26/09/2023 16:03

K73c · 26/09/2023 15:30

When I had covid in August symptoms came on more suddenly than the last time I had it and I tested positive straight away. But my teen has had an odd illness that started off last thurs/fri as if tonsilitis (she gets it most years) so got anti-biotics and she improved / temp down 24h later, but then sunday fever returned and body again so tested for covid again & have everyday (5 days all neg covid - I think my husband thinks I'm over testing re covid but I have read of folk not testing til several days after & the weirdness of symptoms coming and going does feel more like covid. ) Today she has come out in an all over body rash. I guess if 5 days since symptoms , isn't the info now that not infectious / that infectious after 5 days?? Well that's what dh was telling me but I'm not sure whether to believe it. I'm v v v fatigued still 6 wks later so I am really concerned about long covid esp for the kids. Hope you feel better soon

Could it be scarlet fever?

K73c · 26/09/2023 16:40

I did think that but she has been on anti-b for several days and the rash usually appears 1-2 day w sore throat & prior to anti-b (unless on wrong ones). Thinking now it's a viral rash and prob never know what

Mykittensmittens · 27/09/2023 15:35

Just adding as I tested positive yesterday. I think I caught it Thursday in a crowded environment.

friday - headache
Saturday - nothing
Sunday - scratchy throat eve but gave it no thought
monday - woke up with raging sore throat - and kept clearing my throat - tested negative
tuesday - scratchy throat, dry cough, shooting muscle pain, runny nose that comes and goes very sporadically - tested postive
weds (day 4?) - weird sleep night before (massive insomnia), stuffy nose/runny nose intermittently, cough, feel like I’m in a bubble, mildly aching , raging appetite and thirst.

wondering if this / tomorrow will be the worst ?days 4/5?) - no fever and no loss of taste/smell

Laurap39 · 27/09/2023 15:53

I had a night of insomnia too and I’m starving hungry!

Tarsandcase · 27/09/2023 16:04

I have a feeling I have it but I don't have any tests to confirm:

  • Really sore throat (I had my tonsils out 20 years ago and had to check this morning that they hadn't grown back as my throat was so painful)
  • Headache
  • Aching all over
  • Feel completely spaced out
  • Slight cough and snotty nose

Annoyingly I've just had a week off work (annual leave) and came back to 250 emails yesterday so I can't really can't take any more time off. Thankfully I work from home, so can have managed to muddle through today and will try to do the same tomorrow.

Stokey · 28/09/2023 08:11

So after I tested positive at the weekend, DD2 tested positive today. She has much more classic cold symptoms, had had a very sore throat and runny nose since the weekend. I've had no runny nose, slight sore throat a few days before I tested positive and headaches and achy muscles. So it's presenting differently in both of us. DD1 also complaining of sore throat but is negative, I suspect it's just a matter of days.

WildFlowerBees · 30/09/2023 13:32

Tested positive today. Had no symptoms until yesterday which were similar to a hangover to start with, headache thirst and feeling sick sore throat and my chest felt like I'd been smoking all night yet I don't smoke. Then I started to ache felt hot to touch but bone cold and an odd chemical taste in my mouth almost like post anaesthetic.

Today I feel really congested, very tired, sore throat still with a chesty cough. Headache comes and goes. This is nothing like the first time I had it last year, this feels more like flu. Also a weird tongue feeling, feels swollen but burning. Still have my taste so far.

HolidayBurden · 30/09/2023 20:45

If you know when you contracted covid, how long did it take for symptoms to start?
interested as I had symptoms Thursday afternoon, tested positive Friday morning.
Definitely didn't contract it Tuesday, and Monday very doubtful.
I haven't had a sore throat so far. Headache is the worst, fatigue and heavy cold too.

Richvanilla · 30/09/2023 21:07

Just tested positive today, just before a week of annual leave 👍

Mild but annoying headache, funny taste in mouth, tickly and irritated throat, sore joints, bit achey all over and hot eyeballs.

Original poster
Icecreamcoffee · 30/09/2023 21:40

That's so strange. Are you thinking your exposure was on Wednesday? And you came down with symptoms on Thursday.

That is so strange. I had a cold from hell for two weeks. I had an exposure on Thursday of a cold and I came down with symptoms on Friday. I tested at home but it was negative. But what was the most unusual thing is that before the pandemic I rarely got a cold because I was in a position where if others around me got colds I tackled it head on and it was years since I had a cold. Then bam, I was hit hard over the past two weeks with the most heaviest headcold that was utterly nasty.

OP posts:
HolidayBurden · 30/09/2023 22:25

@Icecreamcoffee wednesday seemed to be too close, but otherwise realistically it was Saturday as most likely option which seems quite slow to show symptoms. Curiosity basically!

frenchiemummy92 · 01/10/2023 05:13

I had faint but visible covid tests 3 days last week. No symptoms at all.
Unsure if dodgy box or if I actually did have covid. Only tested as youngest had an awful cough. She was negative.

Lula68 · 21/10/2023 15:54

Googling and stumbled on this. Though I would add my experience. I def caught this on the plane home from Spain last Tuesday.. 2 days after coming back felt very odd - sore throat and spaced out, didn’t test but felt achy and weird - strange dreams. Day 3 - sore throat- burning pain. Body aches especially legs and my hair was painful ?? I couldn’t touch it. Tested positive. Lost my smell and taste on day 5. Day 6 Started feeling better in the throat but now lots of congestion and Tinnitus. A bit breathless but really tearful and emotional. Day 7 still emotional - a bit breathless , snot going down my throat - nausea. Day 8 felt better. Now on day 9 and aching again- weird dreams and still breathless. Ribs are now painful. It’s a very strange experience. My DH is also positive and 4 days behind me - really high fever but has not lost smell and taste yet on the whole more sick than me. I feel terrible and wish I had masked up. Get well soon everyone.

mrsjackrussell · 27/10/2023 03:03

Got first symptoms Monday of sneezing and glands up. Monday night shaking sweats body aches. Now extreme sore throat, coughing, sneezing, insomnia, fatigue, nausea, eyes and head hurt, tinnitus. Nausea and eating helps but eating hurts. Taking all the meds I can and it's not touching it. Just want it gone. Feeling really sorry for myself. Sad

SplendidUtterly · 27/10/2023 14:53

It's been nearly 3 weeks of sneezing, sore throat, awful "bark" like cough, fatigue, dry mouth and lips, taste issues, blocked up nose and occasional nausea. Fed up now of this😩

peachgreen · 27/10/2023 18:55

This latest bout is horrendous. DP and I just cannot shake it off. 3 weeks in and we’re both still coughing, fatigued, getting shivery, feeling nauseous in the evenings, headaches, irritability, the works. Just want it to go away, it’s making me so miserable!

Movinghouseatlast · 27/10/2023 21:41

peachgreen · 27/10/2023 18:55

This latest bout is horrendous. DP and I just cannot shake it off. 3 weeks in and we’re both still coughing, fatigued, getting shivery, feeling nauseous in the evenings, headaches, irritability, the works. Just want it to go away, it’s making me so miserable!

Yes, me too. I'm on day 10 and although I can function a bit better now I still feel absolutely dreadful.

I've totally lost my sense of taste- actually couldn't eat the first 5 days as I felt sick, now it just seems pointless eating.

Walking exhausts me. I'm so miserable and want it to go away, but it's not going anywhere.

I definitely caught it on a plane or at the airport.

WatchOutMissMarpleIsAbout · 04/11/2023 05:30

I’ve got it. Caught I think on holiday as I started feeling unwell on the last 2/3 of days but it didn’t click as I had the booster about 3/4 weeks ago. And I have chronic bronchitis so I just thought it was that.

Fevers, glass throat, headache from hell, sore eyes, joint aches, fatigue, tickly cough. Dh has also got a chest infection but not covid. Am isolating from everyone especially dh as neither of us wants what the other has also!

Movinghouseatlast · 04/11/2023 08:59

I also have the weird tongue feeling someone mentioned above. It has diminished but still there nearly 3 weeks in.

I'm feeling like this is never going to go away at the moment. Most of my symptoms have gone but I still.have the ill feeling and can't taste much.

WatchOutMissMarpleIsAbout · 06/11/2023 07:46

Has anyone had constipation following covid? And I have had the most awful gut reflux and wind with weird stomach cramps! Wonder if it’s just me?

Travelban · 06/11/2023 09:35

Hi, it's been really interesting to read this, I am also recovering from covid and on day 10.

First few days I had the crippling headache and fever, didn't leave my bed for 4 or 5 days. Last 5 days felt a bit better but very drained and now the mild cough I had seems to be getting worse.

I have been signed off work as my job is full on and I am so drained I can barely have a conversation without coughing my lungs out and putting the washing on seems like quite a feat. I am starting to feel depressed but not much I can do. Supposed to go back to work on Friday but I worry I won't manage :(((