First Person Covid-19 stories

[paintman]

The IT guy at the school my wife works for just came back to work after having covid. This guy is ate up with covid koolaid. Wears a mask like it’s his religion, and only leaves his house to go to work or the dollar general across the street from his apartment. He told my wife he can’t figure out how he got it. For the most part he works in an office completely by himself except for chrome books being dropped off. She says he wears a surgical mask all day even in his office when he is alone. Or at least he has it on when she pops in.
his case was mild. Fever and cough. He still has the cough but she says it’s very mild.

 

[dusty88]

The IT guy at the school my wife works for just came back to work after having covid. This guy is ate up with covid koolaid. Wears a mask like it’s his religion, and only leaves his house to go to work or the dollar general across the street from his apartment. He told my wife he can’t figure out how he got it. For the most part he works in an office completely by himself except for chrome books being dropped off. She says he wears a surgical mask all day even in his office when he is alone. Or at least he has it on when she pops in.
his case was mild. Fever and cough. He still has the cough but she says it’s very mild.

This virus isn't thought to be spread easily on surfaces, but I'm 90% sure something like a computer that people are constantly typing on is going to be an exception. So would things like personal phones or credit card pin pads at retail stores. You get enough viral load on those, and then touch your nose or eyes you could certainly take in the virus that way. There is also some evidence of it circulating through HVAC systems but I'm not sure how big of a load that takes or how common that is

 

[eldirector]

Looking back up-thread, I see 3-4 First Person stories, and quite a few 2nd or 3rd person. NOTE: this "new math" has me all screwed up, so I may have missed 1-2.

In any case, appears to mimic reality, where less than 5% of us could even have a story to tell.

To stay on the unsubstantiated story topic: my wife and kiddo swear they had it last winter. Tired, fever, and lack of taste/smell. No test, of course, because COVID wasn't really a thing back then. Could have been allergies, could have been a head cold, or could have been a pandemic. Fluids, soup, and rest for a few days, and then back to normal. No idea if I got what they had, as I also had "allergies" around then.

 

[canebreaker]

Jan 26th 2020 I went to a local dealer's auction. Everything was in boxes, lots from China. When a box was opened you could see the warehouse dust fly. Headed home at 6 pm I had the start of a sore throat. By the time I got home, 16 miles I couldn't keep a tissue from my nose. I took sinus pills, ate dinner, fixed the coffee pot for the next morning and was in bed at 8:35 pm. Seems like I was blowing my nose every 5 minutes using 4 to 6 tissues. Monday morning I woke at 9:15. I turned the coffee pot on, collected the pills and bite to eat and headed to the computer. After a smoke I fixed a cup of coffee, ate and took the pills. I didn't finish that cup, turned the pot off and headed back to bed for a 2 hour nap. There wasn't a spot on my body that wasn't sore and a light fever. I nuked a cup of coffee and headed to the computer. I didn't finish that cup, I was ready for another nap.
8+ hours of sleep every night. 2 to 4 naps every day. I felt like total crap for 16 days and seemed like 2 weeks after that before I was back to normal. During that time we learned that a neighbor's granddaughter is one of 2 first cases in Desoto county, MS.
Did I have the rona or what, I don't know. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

 

[hoosierdoc]

It's at least a few day incubation period from exposure to symptoms. So you may have had covid, but completely unrelated to the auction you went to same day your symptoms started

 

[chocktaw2]

My 99 yr old aunt passed last Fri, the 13th from Covid. She was in a nursing home. She had a good life, and was witness to some great things, and some not so great things. Such is life.

 

[finnegan]

I work in a hospital OR. I've seen a couple of lung surgeries trying to repair the damage done. Not pretty. System wide, we've had 1500+ cases. In my dept in particular, we usually end up with one or two people a week out on furlough. Thankfully, none of my coworkers have gotten it bad (a couple of scares where vents were discussed, but that's about it), but their families have. Lots of sick husbands, wives, brothers, etc. One person lost his brother to it. The OR is fairing better than other areas as we treat anyone without a test as a "possible" and take extra precautions, and anyone with symptoms as "rule out" that warrants full PPE. We follow airborne precautions. Rumor is we are getting the vaccine shortly (not mandatory).
Personally, my nephew got it early before we knew how to treat it. He ended up on the ventilator and took a couple months to recover fully. Fairly healthy 20 year old. Since we are in another surge, I'll be skipping Thanksgiving this year due to my parents poor health. We'll see about Christmas. My father had a lobe of his lung removed this summer, so I'm definitely not risking being an asymptomatic positive.

 

[MCgrease08]

Thanks for that update finnegan. It's always helpful to hear from those seeing it first hand.

 

[DragonGunner]

My Aunt died from it at age 88 last month but I blame the doctor for her death and not covid. She was getting bad with it in her lungs and my uncle took her to the doc. They still both live and function at home, doc said she had double pneumonia and told her to go home......?.......My son had double Pneumonia at age 8 and was hospitalized for a few days.....so why not a 88 yr. old woman....? He never tested for covid and after a week she was very bad and was takin back, hosptilized and then tested and found covid, it was too late. Their daughter is a nurse in another state and came and they tried to give her the run around until they found out what all she knew. I was simply told the doctor will never practice again anywhere. My uncle who is older never got it.

 

[hoosierdoc]

to be fair there was nothing to do at the first visit if she was not requiring oxygen. there is nothing that is given to people with covid at home. they either get better or they get worse. perhaps some quarantine may be helpful.

I am not sure why we are testing non-hospitalized patients who have symptoms.

 

[Ballstater98]

Gal across the road had it minimal side effects.

After 2 ER visits spanning 4 days waiting on testing results, FIL in IA is positive with covid (got prescribed covid meds prior to diagnosis). Their hospital beds are full. 3/4 siblings have been exposed. Hopefully we're on the upswing. He had fluids today and says he feels better.

He was having the same symptoms from a year ago when he was in Afib with the 5 way bypass.

FIL made his 3rd ER trip yesterday and is in the ICU w/ Covid. Fatigue and lack of fluids. He chose the ambulance ride because he knew he'd get fluids and oxygen on the way. Shaking uncontrollably yesterday morning.
This was the 1st time he was able to be admitted. Had sepsis. Their hospital was full until yesterday. Now add secondary pneumonia. He had been on fluids and an oxygen mask for over 24 hours. The kids were on a Zoom call with the hospital this morning. He was able to talk and make decisions. He was just intubated, so hopefully he can rest and let his body heal.

The wife is having a rough time. In the past 12 months, she has lost her godfather/uncle, FIL had a 5-way bypass, lost her mother, lost her grandmother, and now this.

 

[DragonGunner]

to be fair there was nothing to do at the first visit if she was not requiring oxygen. there is nothing that is given to people with covid at home. they either get better or they get worse. perhaps some quarantine may be helpful.

I am not sure why we are testing non-hospitalized patients who have symptoms.

Is that what they did with Trump? Did nothing.....? Doc should of tested for Covid, not just send her home. Trump didn't go to hospital and get treatments? Are you sure your a doc? If your post wasn't for me I apologize. Not sure who your talking to. Otherwise your just as bad as the doc that never tested and start her on treatments.

 

[qwerty]

I am not sure why we are testing non-hospitalized patients who have symptoms.

 

[Double T]

Is that what they did with Trump? Did nothing.....? Doc should of tested for Covid, not just send her home. Trump didn't go to hospital and get treatments? Are you sure your a doc? If your post wasn't for me I apologize. Not sure who your talking to. Otherwise your just as bad as the doc that never tested and start her on treatments.

Same reason we aren't quarantining people with covid in the hospital. When your symptoms improve and you don't require supplemental O2, you are going home. Have had the doc's in the room MULTIPLE times to explain this to people. Believe it or not, the medical floor is far worse to quarantine on versus your couch, and far more expensive.

 

[bwframe]

Is that what they did with Trump? Did nothing.....? Doc should of tested for Covid, not just send her home. Trump didn't go to hospital and get treatments? Are you sure your a doc? If your post wasn't for me I apologize. Not sure who your talking to. Otherwise your just as bad as the doc that never tested and start her on treatments.

Sorry for your loss, but please don't take it out on INGO. I'm sure this is emotional for your family, but that emotion might not belong here in the form you present it?

hoosierdoc provides us an otherwise unobtainable view inside the medical industry. His professional posts are very valuable to this site and our membership. Please don't run the doc off by being mean or rude to him.

 

[lovemywoods]

Is that what they did with Trump? Did nothing.....? Doc should of tested for Covid, not just send her home. Trump didn't go to hospital and get treatments? Are you sure your a doc? If your post wasn't for me I apologize. Not sure who your talking to. Otherwise your just as bad as the doc that never tested and start her on treatments.

DragonGunner, I take great exception to the baseless statements you made toward another member. You don't know hoosierdoc. He has been an active contributor on INGO for many years. I believe you owe him a public apology.

 

[churchmouse]

Is that what they did with Trump? Did nothing.....? Doc should of tested for Covid, not just send her home. Trump didn't go to hospital and get treatments? Are you sure your a doc? If your post wasn't for me I apologize. Not sure who your talking to. Otherwise your just as bad as the doc that never tested and start her on treatments.

I am with Lovemywoods on this one.

Regardless of what when and why we will not plant these seeds any more.

 

[Bennettjh]

Is that what they did with Trump? Did nothing.....? Doc should of tested for Covid, not just send her home. Trump didn't go to hospital and get treatments? Are you sure your a doc? If your post wasn't for me I apologize. Not sure who your talking to. Otherwise your just as bad as the doc that never tested and start her on treatments.

hoosierdoc is a great dude. He's the real deal, lays it right out there.

Sorry for your loss, truly am.

 

[churchmouse]

I am with Lovemywoods on this one.

Regardless of what when and why we will not plant these seeds any more.

Edit.....I to am sorry for your loss.

 

[OkieGirl]

My Aunt died from it at age 88 last month but I blame the doctor for her death and not covid. She was getting bad with it in her lungs and my uncle took her to the doc. They still both live and function at home, doc said she had double pneumonia and told her to go home......?.......My son had double Pneumonia at age 8 and was hospitalized for a few days.....so why not a 88 yr. old woman....? He never tested for covid and after a week she was very bad and was takin back, hosptilized and then tested and found covid, it was too late. Their daughter is a nurse in another state and came and they tried to give her the run around until they found out what all she knew. I was simply told the doctor will never practice again anywhere. My uncle who is older never got it.

Very sorry for your loss.

My son, who is an EMT, calls it the genetic lottery. You will either get it or not and it will be bad or not. My 96yr old grandmother, who is on a pacemaker for a genetic heart issue, had it in August/September with fever, slight cough, and extreme fatigue. She recovered and was camping in October. My brother and his wife (in their 40's) caught it as well as their kids. Everyone in the house had slightly differing symptoms and lasted a rough week. When he got his sense of taste 'back' everything tasted burnt.

January 16th of this year, my 16yr old had a quick onset of fever spiking to 103, body aches, slight cough, etc... and it took him down fast and hard. This kid who has a metabolism that could burn through a warehouse of food in three days or less, was extremely tired for a solid two weeks. He doesn't get sick. Ever. But this nasty thing knocked him on his back and it took him a minute to get past it. His older brother caught it roughly a day or so later with high fever, cough, and fatigue. He was faster to rally that the 16yr old for sure.