Is It A Cold, The Flu, or Covid?
Posted by admin on
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 rapid 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 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
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.
What has been your experience with Covid?