I GOT COVID!!!
Last January, it was the morning of my husband’s birthday. Our family had a staycation in Crowne Plaza. I woke up from the soft comfortable bed of the hotel and I felt something different. I felt like I have this uncomfortable dry sensation in my throat that is often a sign that I will be getting a flu anytime soon. I also felt weirdly lethargic. I pass it off as probably those run-of-the-mill colds we often have from time to time. I don’t have any cough, runny nose or fever. This is definitely not COVID.
I got back to work on a Sunday but I was really feeling extremely tired. I have this persistent throat discomfort and very weird burning sensation in my nostrils. I still don’t have any cough, runny nose or fever. But whenever I got home, I just want to lie in bed and curl under the blanket. Since the manpower at work is low, I didn’t really want to take unnecessary sick leaves. I planned to take a Covid rapid test on a Wednesday when I am off duty. Results will be in immediately so if confirmed negative, I can g o back to work on Friday without even disrupting our duty roster. On Tuesday, I shared my symptoms with another nurse who said she is also feeling the same thing. She wanted to do a COVID rapid test. I told her if she is positive, surely I am positive too. I did the COVID rapid test for her. She came out POSITIVE. I said I am surely positive too considering we both have similar symptoms. At that time, I already have hoarseness of voice and mild runny nose. I did the rapid test and I was definitely positive. I was so surprised. I don’t have fever or cough but I was positive. I informed my boss and I went home immediately.
Where did I get it? I have been wearing mask all the time in public and at work. I practiced hand hygiene. I have my two dose of COVID vaccination plus booster. I was wondering. Was it from the windy day at Crowne Plaza that I got it? I was not wearing mask because we were about to go for a swim in the pool. Was it from a patient? Because I was assigned in Covid Clinic Duty the day before our staycation in Muscat. But nevertheless, I got it.
At home, I stayed isolated away from my husband and kids. I stayed in our kids’ room and they all stayed in the master bedroom. My husband would bring me food during meals. When I need to go out to help with chores because I don’t want to overburden my husband with childcare and chores. I would go out when all of them are in the room. I would be in gloves, mask, face shield while I cook or wash the dishes. I would, then, spray the kitchen and doorknobs when I was done. I did that for the next 7 days. Despite the isolation and my careful practice to avoid spread the virus in the household, my kids one by one, got sick. They all got high-grade fever and mild runny nose. But it didn’t last very long. It was just in 1-2 days and they were their energetic selves again. My husband was the last one who got it. He got fever and have this very uncomfortable cramps in both his legs.
During the course of my infection, I never had fever but what I have and what I really despised was this extreme tiredness that I couldn’t explain. I just wanted to sleep every two hours. I didn’t like the feeling because I was hoping being isolated in my room, I can at least be productive even if I am locked inside. But I didn’t have the energy. But what I have insatiable hunger. I expected to lose my appetite (and hopefully shed a few pounds as a positive effect from this horrible virus) but no. I wanted to eat and eat and eat. It is like my body needs lots of food to combat a monster inside.
Thankful after the 1 week quarantine, I was back to work again. The lethargy lessened one day after I got back to work.
It seems like majority of people have gotten the virus. I am glad I got the vaccine or else, my symptoms would be a lot worse. I still wear mask when I am in public even if Covid has lessens and the rules are more lenient. I don’t know if Covid will ever go away and we just have to accept that it may never go away, at least for now. Still be vigilant and careful, guys.
