February 7: I recall watching an evening news report in early 2020 saying that five cases of “the Asian virus” had been found in Washington state and thinking “Here we go…” At that time, the thought that a virus could shut down the world seemed like science fiction, even though scientists had been warning us of that possibility for decades. Now that it has happened, and as we continue to deal with the effects of the pandemic, I suppose I should have known this was coming. It’s not like there haven’t been warnings and lists of precautions that I should have taken, especially since I am frequently exposed. But no. Wasn’t going to happen. Not to me anyway.
Well, guess what ? Last Friday I began to feel a very mild sore throat and a slight stuffiness that is usually the precursor to a cold. No worries. Been there, done that. But on Saturday I was aching, feeling a bit feverish, and really starting to become congested. Out of an abundance of caution, and knowing that everyone would ask whether I had done so, I decided to take a COVID test.
Bingo.
Over the weekend, things got more interesting. I didn’t really have an appetite, and trying to sleep was a torture of congestion and coughing at all hours. I went through snot rags at a huge rate, and my digestive system seemed to partially shut down for a day or two.
None of this is news. I’ve heard from virtually everyone I know of their experience with COVID and, with few exceptions, the script is fairly similar. I’ve been immunized 6 times so I suppose I can take comfort in the view that it might have been quite a bit worse had I opted against protecting myself.
The worrying part for me is the potential for some form of “long COVID” where health issues seem to continue for an indefinite period. The virus seems to be quite variable in its effect on those infected and the outcome never seems to be entirely certain. It’s now Wednesday – 5 days after the initial symptoms – and I’m anticipating another 2 or 3 days of mopping up before I know for sure whether or not this will turn into something more significant. For now, the only lasting effect I have is tinnitus triggered by the 3rd immunization and now made more forceful by the virus itself.
So, after almost four years, I join the not-very-exclusive club of COVID survivors. Instead of siting smugly quiet at the side, I can expound on my experience with the virus, hopefully soon to be fully behind me. Fingers crossed….