A few days ago, during the height of my symptoms, I managed to gather some energy to chat with my mom over the phone. I assured her that what I was experiencing was likely just another severe allergic reaction, which I usually endure every year, often leading to bronchitis or something worse. It felt like a cruel twist of fate that this year, my allergies would flare up right alongside the COVID-19 pandemic. As I wrapped up our conversation, I tried to comfort her from 2,000 miles away (and perhaps soothe my own worries) by insisting, “Honestly, there is NO WAY I have coronavirus. I’ve been so careful to keep us healthy.”
Fast forward to early Sunday morning, when I opened my test results at 2 am and found out that I had indeed tested positive for COVID-19. The reality hit me like a ton of bricks; it was heart-wrenching to know I was part of this frightening pandemic, especially as a mother who had been around her kids constantly since March 13th.
Here’s a glimpse into my experience:
Day 1 – March 21st
I began with a deep cough reminiscent of bronchitis, accompanied by a runny nose filled with dark green mucus. There was sinus pressure and a headache, but thankfully, I had no trouble breathing or fever. All of these were symptoms I had dealt with in the past due to severe allergies.
Day 10 – March 31st
After completing a course of antibiotics with Mucinex-D, my symptoms persisted and even worsened.
Day 11 – April 1st
I contacted my primary care physician (PCP) to explore other treatment options for allergies, and she requested an in-person visit. I was impressed by the care provided by Penn Medicine; upon arrival, a nurse greeted me with a mask and gloves, ensuring my safety without requiring me to sign anything or touch surfaces until I reached the exam room. I went in seeking help for allergies, not COVID-19; however, after listening to my lungs, my PCP suggested a COVID-19 swab.
I promptly began self-isolating in the guest bedroom, following the rules set by my PCP. The previous symptoms remained.
Day 12 – April 2nd
Things took a turn for the worse. My symptoms now included:
- A deeper cough, still similar to bronchitis
- Ongoing runny nose with dark green mucus
- Sinus pressure and headache
- Full lung capacity (thankfully)
- No fever, although I was taking medication that could have masked it
- Flu-like body aches
- Severe fatigue
- Fluctuating body temperature
- Rigors—something I’d never experienced before, indicating a possible fever
- Loss of appetite
- Tooth pain
Day 13 – April 3rd
The symptoms repeated themselves from the previous day. I still thought there was no way I could be COVID-19 positive; after all, I hadn’t experienced a fever, and I still had full lung function.
Day 14 – April 4th
There was a slight improvement, and I felt a boost in energy. I was finally able to add saltine crackers to my water-based diet.
Day 15 – April 5th
I received my test results via the online medical portal: SARS-CoV-2 Detected at 2:04 am. I had initially been told results would take a week, so receiving them in four days was shocking. I felt devastated and heartbroken. Fueled by an adrenaline rush, I embarked on a cleaning spree to disinfect every surface before the family awoke, moving essentials to the guest room for what I now realized would be a long quarantine.
I planned to self-quarantine in the guest room for 72 hours, hoping to be considered “recovered” if I met certain criteria: no fever, improving symptoms, and at least seven days since my symptoms began.
Day 16 – April 6th
The most prominent symptom was a lingering sinus infection, and my body felt weak. I struggled to sleep and had balance issues.
Day 17 – April 7th
The sinus infection persisted, and I experienced intense head pain from pressure and congestion. The mucus was an opaque green/gray, unlike anything I had encountered before. My husband, Mark, also fell ill but was convinced his symptoms were unrelated, possibly a flu. He didn’t have the key symptoms (fever, chest tightness, shortness of breath) associated with COVID-19. This distinction is crucial; we must recognize that many people experience the virus differently.
Mark’s timeline mirrored mine, though he experienced fatigue, nausea, and hallucinations. He didn’t exhibit the classic symptoms of COVID-19, which makes our situation even more puzzling.
We adhered to strict quarantine measures, locking down our home on March 13th. My last in-store shopping trip was that morning, and we opted for contactless delivery services for groceries. We took every precaution, disinfecting packages and avoiding takeout to keep germs at bay.
Reflecting on how the virus might have entered our home, I recalled an incident from March 10th when our seven-year-old son, Jake, came home from school with what appeared to be pinkeye. His symptoms progressed, including a runny nose and cough, leading us to question if he had contracted COVID-19. Our 11-year-old and five-year-old also experienced mild symptoms, but none were tested, and we suspect they were positive based on their timeline.
As I share this, I encourage readers to reconsider symptoms they might dismiss as “just allergies” or “a simple cold.” My experience with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis is not something we’re hiding, especially if it can help others.
The unfortunate truth is, this virus is relentless. During days 12-14, I felt utterly miserable, and while our case could be classified as mild compared to those requiring hospitalization, it was still a harrowing experience. I genuinely hope that those who come after us will find themselves on the mend and seeking information rather than getting caught in a severe viral battle.
On a brighter note, we are collaborating with our county’s health department to provide details on our timelines and symptoms, hoping to aid others navigating this pandemic. If I can donate plasma for antibodies or share insights on our experience, I’m willing to do so. I’m grateful that my family is moving toward recovery and plan to continue staying home to protect others.
As we face the reality that COVID-19 may return to our community, we remain committed to our quarantine measures. We’ll keep ourselves entertained with movies, board games, and virtual gatherings, striving to make this daunting time less traumatic for our family.
Now that we have a diagnosis, I realize just how vigilant I attempted to be, yet COVID-19 still found its way in. Moving forward, our priority remains clear: stay home!
Summary
In this detailed account, I share my personal experience with COVID-19 and the various symptoms that unfolded over the days. From initial allergy-like symptoms to the realization of having contracted the virus, my family’s journey highlights the unpredictable nature of COVID-19. We maintained strict quarantine measures and are now working with health authorities to provide information that may assist others. This experience underscores the importance of recognizing symptoms and remaining vigilant, even when we believe we are taking all the right precautions.
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