A little over 3 weeks ago, on a Sunday afternoon, I developed a intermittent dry cough, similar to what I’ve heard at work, my house, and the grocery store. Immediately thought of Covid, but wanted a “Confirming symptom” before taking more decisive action than putting on a mask. I got my confirmation that Sunday evening when I felt chills, indicating a fever. I also felt quite fatigued and soon developed a minor headache. Was it my body or the virus suppressing my central nervous system? The brain has been known to cause depression after a major surgery or major injury as apparently part of a protection mechanism. I tested my strength at the time and found it to be about normal. I believe my body knew somehow of the fight that lay ahead and thus caused my perception of fatigue so I would get rested up.
Upon feeling chills, I started my previously planned Covid regimen. This involved me taking vitamin C, zinc, potassium, and D3. I drank plenty of water to ensure hydration and decided to brush and floss more often to reduce immune system load. I mostly slept for the following 60 hours. I was able to eat normally. My chills ended with my headache ending soon after, ending phase one of my Covid infection. My fatigue went away as well. However, after about 10 hours, the chills returned, indicating a fever related to my body fighting opportunistic bacteria, encouraged by my now weakened immune system. So began phase two. While the fever did not last long, I developed a “Wet” or “Productive” cough that contained whitish phlegm that later turned to green and finally grayish green. I needed to clear phlegm every five minutes. At the same time, I started to salivate incessantly, requiring me to spit every 30 seconds. This salivating was another indication of bacterial infection. The back of my throat felt like it was on fire, indicating to me particularly potent bacteria. These conditions lasted for thirty hours. I was not able to eat solid food. It was like my stomach had a small pore sieve at it’s entrance. I got a container to spit in and kept it by my side during bedtime. I found my phlegm would not cause me to cough for hours if I sat mostly upright. So I propped myself up in bed at a corner, with a pillow placed between my lower back and wall for stability. Fortunately, my salivating stopped soon after shutting my eyes, allowing me to get two hours of sleep twice. Upon waking up, I have to clear lots of built up phlegm. After 30 hours, my phlegm production dropped along with my salivating. I was able to eat normally about 10 hours later. Phase three consisted of much more forceful dry coughs. This lasted for about nine days so far, but is substantially subsiding. I assume this is a form of post Covid bronchitis. While I never experienced shortness of breath, there were a few brief periods when I smelled “Old burning cigarettes”, when there were none around.
Lessons learned. I took no medication, fearing any medication might interfere with my body’s natural mechanisms for recovery. I accepted my sore throat pain. Staying well hydrated helped keep my phlegm thin, allowing easy clearance without too much throat pain. One concern I had was not knowing my electrolyte levels. Taking too much potassium is dangerous as is letting electrolytes become depleted by the Covid infection. For my next Covid infection, if there is one, I will have 14 panel urine test strips on hand at a cost of $20 per 100 via mail order. To maintain electrolyte balance, I will use Pedialyte instead of sodium tablets. Not interested in Gatorade because of the sugar. Bacteria loves sugar. Having a weakened immune system fighting bacteria is bad enough. Sure as hell don’t want help bacteria grow. Indeed, diabetics with Covid tend to have worse outcomes.
It is my belief Covid is a moderately severe virus that needs care in treatment. Anyone with comorbities should seek early medical advice, as should anyone becoming concerned over their symptoms.
I was one month away from getting my first Covid vaccine. Hopefully I’ll have six months of enhanced immunity before the next Covid variant comes around. I am quite sure I was infected with Covid during mid December, 2000 with mostly milder symptoms, along with my girlfriend. The question is, will I be getting stronger against Covid or will each infection make me weaker?
