Current covid variant symptoms

Reading all of this makes me think I have been very fortunate. I am 81 years old and asthmatic. A week ago, I woke up sneezing and coughing. Nothing else, convinced I had the start of a summer cold, thought I will do a covid test just so that I can go to my different u3a groups and tell them not to worry.

Could not believe it when it came back strongly positive within a couple of minutes (thought I was seeing double). So, have been by myself at home since then. Yesterday, second line was definitely fainter. Will test again tomorrow.

The sneezing continued for a few days, the cough is still there, and will probably be there now for a few more weeks. Except for excess tiredness, I have not felt ill at all. Indeed, in previous times (pre-covid), I would not have considered altering my normal daily routine at all for this. Had a couple of nights finding it difficult to lay flat (which is how I normally sleep), but, thanks to things like Olbas oil, that got sorted.

Still getting tired during the day - my normal twice daily power naps has increased both in number and duration. But, to me - nothing at all like the very dreaded 'flu. I have been up and dressed every day.

I have a relative who has had it for a couple of weeks. Tested yesterday and finally negative but feeling as poorly as ever. We seem to be in an endless spiral of ill health.

FannyCornforth

Yes, of course it’s wise to wear a mask

I did ..not many did wear a mask though, upto them
thanks x

All viruses mutate and change. A robust immune system would fight them off. Worrying destroys your immunity. The body is a wonderful thing, feed it well, quite smoking or boozing, have a bit of a walk each day. Foods like garlic, ginger a chilli are very good.

effalump

All viruses mutate and change. A robust immune system would fight them off. Worrying destroys your immunity. The body is a wonderful thing, feed it well, quite smoking or boozing, have a bit of a walk each day. Foods like garlic, ginger a chilli are very good.

So can you explain why people with compromised immune systems often get covid very mildly and fit young people can be very ill with it. This is why there is such a Russian roulette aspect to covid 19. I agree that it’s best to eat well and stay as healthy as possible but that doesn’t necessarily protect you from covid.

effalump

All viruses mutate and change. A robust immune system would fight them off. Worrying destroys your immunity. The body is a wonderful thing, feed it well, quite smoking or boozing, have a bit of a walk each day. Foods like garlic, ginger a chilli are very good.

Not all viruses mutate and change. The measles vaccine for instance does not mutate so you get lifelong protection. Polio is very long lasting, and I think you only need a booster if at risk. Covid seems exceptional as it appears to mutate almost weekly!

Also, having a robust immune system does not always help. In the case of the 1918 influenza it was young people who mostly died because their healthy immune systems overreacted and caused a reaction in their bodies.

Isn’t that what resulted in cytokine storms at the start of the pandemic too?

I came back from holiday on Monday and tested positive yesterday and it has absolutely floored me. Been in bed all day with terrible headache that won’t shift and tight chest. Wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy!

We went on a 20 minute bus journey today. There and back we were were only ones wearing masks.

I’m having an eye test in a few weeks ( long overdue because of the pandemic) and I’ve had to request that the optician wear a mask, otherwise they don’t bother. I’m hoping that the infection rate has gone down by the time of my appointment.

Read that there are now 64 symptoms of long covid, and over 100000 have long covid with days off work. It is a real issue.

Healthcare professionals of any kind should be wearing masks if they are in close contact with their patients, that definitely covers dentists and eye specialists as they get very close.

Most still wear masks on public transport here(still mandated) and always at dentists, doctors and in other medical areas. I have noticed more are wearing masks in shops now. That is a good thing as far as I’m concerned. Covid is still a serious illness and I think the governments should be ashamed of themselves for playing it down and ignoring it for political reasons. Nothing to do with hysteria or over stating anything.