Is It A Cold, The Flu, or Covid?

 

There is nothing more frightening than getting sick right now. 

We all fear it might be Covid. 

Despite being double vaccinated, boosted, wearing a mask, and not eating inside of restaurants, I did indeed contact Covid.

MY PCR Covid Test #1 was negative (Friday)

I went to get a professional Covid PCR test on Friday morning  (not because I had any symptoms but I was going to visit someone who had cancer and wanted to make sure I was ok). The test came back negative for me (and my husband) thankfully we thought.

My PCR Covid Test #2 was Positive- (Monday)

Things to know about Covid Testing: 

1. The rapid Covid test may not be reliable if you have Covid- many people test negative on the rapid test only to find out a day or two later that their PCR test came back positive. 

2.   The CDC. recommends waiting at least 5 days after exposure before testing for Covid to make sure it is detectable in your system (source). I know a few people (and myself) who had inaccurate PCR tests showing a negative result only to show positive if they retest a few days later.

This is what happened to me after a negative Covid Test.

Saturday-woke up very sick

Saturday, the next morning, I woke up with a fever of 101 (my normal temperature is 96.6). I had a bad headache, some mild congestion, and was very tired. In fact, I slept from Saturday morning until Sunday morning (yes, 24 hours) with only getting up for bathroom breaks and to drink liquid. I lost my appetite completely and just wanted to sleep. I did not have any breathing issues.

Sunday-

My temperature reduced to 100, and I was able to stay awake all day. I laid in bed and watched all the Hallmark and Christmas shows available. I couldn't really concentrate and just wanted to keep things light as I still had a fever, headache, and fatigue. Still no appetite- so I just consumed liquids. 

Monday- My temperature reduced to 99. (For me that is still fever since I normally run 96.6). My appetite returned, and the headache subsided, but I was still exhausted and started to feel some congestion in the form of nasal drip and some hoarseness. 

I decided to go for another PCR test.

Covid PCR Test #2-

I found out that it is not accurate to get a Covid PCR test until 4-5 days after exposure to Covid. Since I had no idea when I was exposed, I decided to go for a second professional test which is very easy, convenient, and free here in Florida. (I'm guessing I was exposed when when I took my husband to a local large hospital for a stress test and remained in the waiting room for 2 hours fully masked.)

Tuesday - After sweating profusely in the early morning while sleeping, I woke up with a normal temp for me-96.6 and felt much better. I got up, washed the sheets, disinfected the room (my husband was sleeping in the other room on the sofa) - we live in a condo. and thought all was clear. That afternoon I received the results of my second PCR Covid Test. - I WAS POSITIVE- but by now the worst of my symptoms were over by the time I found out. 

Wed, Thursday, Friday

My temperature rose back to 98. 3 which made me feel not well since it is a low grade fever for me, the nasal drip got worse, and I lost my sense of smell- not taste- just smell. My appetite was normal but I was tired again too. 

Saturday (Christmas Day)

After breaking out in a sweat while sleeping in the early morning, my temp is now normal again. I feel normal and have just a little bit of congestion. I'm hoping this is it and I am back to normal. My sense of smell has returned too. I hope my energy comes back. 

I am grateful I took the booster- since they say it lessens the severity if you get Covid. I am grateful. 

I continued to take Vitamin D and Vitamin C 

Some Natural Remedies that I took: 

Immediately I started taking "Zicam" which is an over the counter 

immune building cold remedy that is sold in every pharmacy, BJ's, and Costco. I keep it all the time in my medicine cabinet. When I feel a cold or sore throat starting, I start taking it. It works for me if I use it before the cold or sore throat gets full blown. It is basically a Zinc based cold remedy. 

Homemade Vitamin C Shock Therapy

 I started  what Anthony Williams calls Vitamin C Shock Therapy (recipe and source). It was easy to make and I felt like I was drinking a 'hot toddy" without the liquor. It was soothing and fortifying. 

I love this amazing drink (which I have made before) but this time I used what I had on hand. This is what I did. 

Ingredients: 

1 wide mouth mason jar 

2 cups of warm/not boiling water

1 cup of room temp water 

1 tablespoon of raw honey

Juice of one full orange, lemon, or lime squeezed fresh

1-2 capsules of Vitamin C, opened and contents poured into the drink. 

Directions

Add everything to the mason jar and stir. I drank it over the next hour   Everything got into my system quickly. I repeated 2-3 times/day.

Cat's Claw Tea

I bought it in the local supermarket (Publix) 

Cat's claw is thought to help build the immune system. 

 

Raw Honey- may contain antibacterial properties

Soup

Asian Healing Broth

In South Florida where I live,  it is very easy to get PCR tested. 

There are free booths every few blocks and no appointment necessary. In fact, I'm in walking distance to about 4 places (1 mile). And they give you the results of the PCR test in about 5 hours. 

The Zicam, Vitamin C Shock Therapy, and hot soup helped. After 8 days my fever is normal I'm feeling much better. This was no joke and I think I had a mild version.

PS -I continued to have 98 and congestion for a few more days after I wrote this blog post which for me was uncomfortable. As of Day 11, I now think I'm back to normal. 

What has been your experience with Covid?