Introduction
I recently ‘acquired’ COVID-19 for the first time since the pandemic began. Thankfully, I only had mild symptoms and didn’t need to go to hospital or be prescribed antiviral treatments.
I’ve nonetheless decided to tell you about my Covid experience by publishing excerpts from my diary.
The pandemic will soon cease to be a pandemic and we will have to live with Covid in the same way we live with the flu every winter, but it is important to remember that we are still in a pandemic. With Tasmania continuing to experience a surge in cases, we need to remain careful and vigilant.
For information and advice about COVID-19, including latest updates from the Tasmanian and Australian governments, click here.
My Covid Experience
Thursday, 10 November 2022
I’ve developed a scratchy throat. I think I inhaled cigarette smoke or fumes while walking around the city this afternoon.
Friday, 11 November 2022 (Remembrance Day)
My scratchy throat continues to plague me, but otherwise, I feel fine.
Saturday, 12 November 2022
I woke up this morning feeling incredibly hungover, which I thought was really strange because I didn’t touch a drop of alcohol last night. The symptoms (headache, nausea, etc.) faded away after 15 or 20 minutes.
My positive test result.
My scratchy throat had worsened overnight, and I developed an intermittent cough. These two symptoms persisted throughout the day.
I took a rapid antigen test at 9:15am, which returned an immediate positive result. Both lines were a very dark purple colour. It was as positive as it could possibly be.
My initial reaction to the result wasn’t one of shock or surprise but one of disappointment. After two years of successfully avoiding Covid, I was beginning to think that I’d be one of the lucky few who would not get it at all. But alas, here I am.
I quickly began feeling blessed that I hadn’t caught it until now.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, I have been diligent and careful, even after national cabinet scrapped many of the mandatory requirements and precautions. I’ve been lucky enough to work from home on several occasions. I’m able to drive, so I’ve been able to avoid public transport. I wore a mask and frequently sanitised my hands when I had to go to a high-risk setting. I observed social distancing requirements.
I have placed myself under ‘house arrest’ and won’t leave the unit until my symptoms are gone and I test negative.
I expected Covid to hit me like a freight train, but it hasn’t turned out that way. I don’t feel tired, congested, achy, or short of breath. I also haven’t lost my taste and smell.
Late this afternoon, I developed a slight headache. There has been no other change in my condition.
Because I only have ‘Covid Lite’, I’ve been able to ‘operate’ as normal, but I’ve been careful not to push myself too much in case I exacerbate the illness. I’ve kept my fluids up as much as possible. Since developing symptoms, I have also been taking two Panadol Extra tablets several times a day to keep the pain in my throat bearable.
Sunday, 13 November 2022
My scratchy throat and cough persisted overnight, and I woke up with a snotty nose this morning. I also had a slight temperature. Otherwise, I still felt okay; I had no other symptoms. By noon, I wasn’t experiencing any symptoms whatsoever! Although isolation is no longer a legal requirement for people diagnosed with COVID-19, I’ll continue to isolate as much as possible. I don’t want to risk passing the virus on to other people.
I’ve found that self-isolation is scarcely a hardship or a disruption to my routine. I’m able to work remotely and groceries can be delivered.
I’m thankful that I don’t have Covid as severely as others have had it. I’m triple vaccinated and have likely picked up the Omicron variant – which may be less severe than the variants that came before it. I cannot begin to comprehend the suffering of those who’ve had it worse than me. I’m very lucky.
Monday, 14 November 2022
I woke up at five this morning with another snotty nose. It cleared within 15 minutes.
Tuesday, 14 November 2022
I woke up at five this morning with no symptoms, but developed a headache shortly before seven o’clock, so I took two Panadol Extra tablets. The headache quickly went away but had returned by 10:45am, so I took two more Panadol Extra tablets.
Since yesterday afternoon, I have been experiencing mild brain fog. So far, I’ve managed to resist the temptation to rest.
Wednesday, 15 November 2022
I continued to experience mild brain fog today.
Thursday, 16 November 2022
The brain fog is persisting, and my energy is low – sometimes non-existent.
Shortly before 9:30am, I took my day five isolation test. It returned a negative result.
I think it’s weird that I’m negative but still experiencing symptoms.
I’m going to see how I fare over the next few days. My symptoms might fade away soon.
Friday, 17 November 2022
My Covid symptoms disappeared overnight, and I felt so well when I woke up at five this morning that I went for a one-hour walk.
Saturday, 18 November 2022
I woke up at six this morning, still feeling good. It’s safe to say that Covid has well and truly passed. I now have a low risk of getting it again for four weeks.
Callum J. Jones studied English, History, and Journalism at the University of Tasmania. He has written fiction and non-fiction for Tasmanian Times since 2018, and can be traced by the smell of fresh coffee.
Follow him on Twitter (@Callum_Jones_10) and Facebook (@callum.j.jones.creative).
