I would think by now he's got over it, but a guy at work posted a link to an article on a medical website written by a GP who has had it. You need to register to read it so I'll post the text here. It should be comforting to any who has either got it or thinks they might have it. At the end of the day, it's another strain of flu, OK it's a rapidly spreading, pretty nasty strain but is still just flu, and is only of concern to those with underlying medical problems.
As a GP who's overcome coronavirus, here's what I want you to know
16 March 2020
Dr Clare Gerada
The only souvenir I thought I’d brought back from my recent trip to a conference in New York was a fridge magnet of the Statue of Liberty. Barely two days later, I realised I’d brought a lot more.
Tucked somewhere in my body was developing Covid-19, which began to show itself a few days after arriving back in the UK. The symptoms merged in with jet lag - tiredness, headache and feeling ‘out of it’.
The dry cough I put down to the long flight home and the effects of rebreathing cabin air. What I couldn’t dismiss, however, was the temperature – which was now above 102 degrees F. My coronavirus experience had started.
Over the next five days, I lived through this nasty illness, wishing it away but never feeling that it would finish me off. Soon after I started becoming unwell, I contacted 111 and went to a testing pod to have swabs taken. Then, I returned to bed, and that is where I stayed for days, rising only to use the bathroom.
The symptoms are as we have been told. Flu-like, with a temperature, dry cough and sore throat. I also had a vice-like headache, muscular chest pain from coughing, rigours and, when I did get out of bed, dizziness.
Five days into the illness, almost in the same order, the symptoms disappeared, leaving only an odd metallic taste in my mouth, nasal mucosal ulcers and intense fatigue. I didn’t need any heroic medicines or interventions.
Despite now being on the ‘other side’ of youth, I have no underlying health conditions and two paracetamol three times a day and lemonade was all I needed. I had God’s penicillin - chicken soup - which seemed to have a miraculous effect of bringing back my appetite.
I’m glad I’ve had it early, as I’m more than likely immune, and can now help my colleagues
My husband practised social distancing - we communicated via mobile phone and he wore the only protection he had – for his face that is - a Chelsea football scarf.
So, my experience. It was the worst illness I’ve ever had. Saying this, I have little to compare this with as other than childbirth (which isn’t an illness). I’m rarely unwell – have had the flu once, dental pain, and fractures over the years, but nothing more. It was painful, and frightening – the fear not because I thought I would die, but because being unwell is just that, frightening.
I’m glad I’ve had it early, as I’m more than likely immune, and can now help my colleagues.
What advice would I give, going forward?
Firstly, each family needs a plan as to what to do when we get sick. This should include calling each other regularly. Someone who is low risk might be a designated carer, to be with the sick person (even if covered by a mask and more than two metres away). This is better than being alone.
Secondly, remember that most people will be fine, even if infected. Our role as GPs is to help those who need more help to get it. We are good at this.
And finally, as GPs, we are crucial in calming the nervous brows of patients and communities.
I’m now out the other end, and very glad that very soon I’ll be back at work and helping my colleagues with the heavy lifting created by this crisis.
Dr Clare Gerada is the former chair of the RCGP, the co-chair of the NHS Assembly and a GP in Lambeth
Peterborough, Cambs
- '93 Range Rover Classic 4.2 LSE, sold
- '97 Range Rover 4.0SE, in Oxford Blue with a sort of grey/blue leather interior sold as two is plenty.....
- '98 Ex-Greater Manchester Police motorway patrol car, Range Rover P38 4.0, in white with a not very recently cleaned cloth interior
- '96 4.6HSE Ascot because you never know when you might need a spare
- All running perfectly on LPG
- Proud to be a member of the YCHJCYA2PDTHFH club.
