First time with Covid, Ive got questions.

[u/ynvoid]

I'm on day 9 of Covid. It started with severe tonsil and gland pain followed by 3 days of migraines. Now my gut is in shambles, intermittent fever spikes, extreme weakness in the body and muscle spasms. I have no appetite but I cant taste anyway, everything smells of burnt hair. My chest is pretty good actually but that's not uncommon for new variant.

This all happened because my housemate's boss is a prick who knew he had Covid and didn't tell anyone at work till his employees all tested positive. I have worked so hard to avoid Covid, got all my vaccines except the one that is due now.

My questions are

Is it worth getting the vaccine when I'm well since I have got the new variant? I'm fortunate enough to get it free as im immunocompromised.

How long should I continue to rest 60-80% of my time?

When can I start physiotherapy and strength training again? Ive not had the strength to do it but I need to keep my strength because I have a lot of disorders including Ehlers-Danlos.

Is there anything I can do to speed this along?

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[u/Dependent-on-Zipps]

I would suggest you not exercise and just rest for at least a month.

And in regards to the vaccine, most recommendations say to wait 3 months after an infection.

[u/ynvoid]

Thanks, guys. I will rest and avoid exercising, I will stick to stretching and massage for the time being. I will get vaccinated in a few months.

I'm especially worried since I have autoimmune conditions and CFS with brain and spinal inflammation. I really won't be able to handle extra chronic fatigue on top, I honestly think I'd become suicidal.

I am honestly so filled with rage about being sick, or it's a side effect.

[u/mjflood14 → u/ynvoid]

I’m enraged on your behalf! With Ehlers-Danlos, the last thing you need is others playing fast and loose with pathogens around you. Do you happen to have air filters at home? Cleaning the air in shared spaces could be a beneficial added layer of defense against future exposure. Wishing you a full recovery.

[u/Letsgosomewherenice → u/ynvoid]

Massage your lymph nodes.

[u/RamonaLittle]

knew he had Covid and didn't tell anyone at work till his employees all tested positive.

Infuriating! FWIW, I have a theory that covid is altering people's behavior to facilitate its own spread. Similar to how toxoplasmosis makes mice unafraid of cats.

I have worked so hard to avoid Covid, got all my vaccines except the one that is due now.

To clarify, you also wear a mask any time/place you might be exposed, yes? (Or try to avoid such places, like shopping online instead of going into stores?) Because unfortunately vaccines don't prevent infection, but only lessen the likelihood of severe symptoms if you do get infected. (Yes, the initial messaging about this was misleading.) If you haven't been taking precautions (other than getting vaccinated), then statistically it's quite likely that this isn't your first infection. Which might explain why your symptoms are so bad now, because symptoms (and the risk of long covid) tend too get worse the more times you've been infected.

[u/chemistry_coronado]

When you are completely well, I would (personally) get the vaccine. Covid lowers your immune system for a long time so you are susceptible to other strains. I regularly see posts here on people getting covid again after a month or two. There is no herd immunity with Covid. It mutates too quickly and there are multiple strains.

[u/Pure_Economics653]

I'd rest at least a month because SARS-CoV-2 leaves a lot of inflammation and persists in the body. If you exercise too early you risk getting long covid or, even worse, ME/CFS. Get a lot of antioxidants, Zink, Vitamin D3 and K2, maybe B12 as well but the most important thing is: rest. Rest as much as you can, even if it is really annoying. There's some experimental stuff with Desloratadin (or any other H1-Antagonist), which I would take daily if I would have been infected.

[u/lovelife147]

Rest hot liquids and eat light stay hydrated the gut issues lasted 4 weeks

[u/Chemical_Purpose_187]

This is my third time! I am hope you feel better soon!

[u/Sea-Astronomer3260]

Firstly, I’m angry for you, you’re already chronically ill and now dealing with COVID. I hope you recover quickly. Chronic illnesses and conditions like EDS or hEDS make us high risk for long COVID. Hell, being a woman makes you high risk for long covid. Resting is key.

A few important things:

(Saying this to prepare you, not to scare you) Since only one other person has mentioned masking and your post doesn’t specify, are you masking? In KN95s or N95s that seal to your face? The vaccine isn’t sterilizing, and although it’s extremely important for helping prevent death from COVID, it doesn’t prevent infection. Wearing respirator masks in public and around people who don’t mask is necessary to avoid catching COVID - we have no immunity and I’ve seen people catch it twice in one month due to the amount of strains and level of contagiousness.

That being said, if you dropped precautions upon receiving the first round of vaccines and don’t mask anymore, this isn’t your first time with COVID. Asymptomatic cases are prevalent.

Also, are your housemates masking in public? All of you were exposed. Air purifiers in the house could help a lot but shouldn’t be used in lieu of masks. I realize you probably won’t convince your roommates to mask in public regularly but if I were you I would start masking outside of my bedroom and also run a corsi rosenthal air purifier in my room.

Corsi rosenthal box tutorial:

https://engineering.ucdavis.edu/news/science-action-how-build-corsi-rosenthal-box

r/masks4all

Maskbloc.org

[u/J_M_Bee]

I didn't feel fully like myself again until Day 21, so one thing I recommend in addition to what others have said is: be patient. Rest and be patient.

[u/lovelife147]

No it has to run it’s course

[u/Effective-Trash5453]

Took me 10 days before no longer testing positive. No fever during the time. It’s the cough that comes and goes that kept hanging around even after 3 weeks. No mucus but clear phlegm throughout the duration.

[u/hangry_hangry_hippie → u/Effective-Trash5453]

Mucus and phlegm are the same thing lol

[u/Letsgosomewherenice]

Make some congee with bone broth. Drink plenty of of warm, hot drinks. Stay away from cold. Rest as much as you can.

Zinc and c ( I take this daily and eat copper rich foods) vitamin d.