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BLOG: My COVID-19 Experience

By Donna Natividad-Arenas Jan 12, 2022 | 12:25 AM

I welcomed 2022 with the bug!

My sister encrouraged me to take the COVID-19  Rapid Antigen Test because I had colds  symptoms on and off  for more than  five days.  (Usually, If I get sick like that, I am fine after two days).    Result in the antigen test was positive.

We drove back  to the University of Manitoba  COVID-19  Testing Clinic for a confirmatory  PCR test.  But since  the  province  placed  limited  access to  PCR test  because of  extensive backlog at that time,  I  was told  instead  to go home and isolate.

Emerging cases have shown that  Omicron affects  the upper respiratory tract more than the lungs which causes  milder symptoms as compared to the  previous variants.

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SYMPTOMS:

The symptoms I had were mild– similar to that of regular colds or mild flu.  It  all started with  a really bad sore throat –with my voice sounding hoarse —waking  up two days later  having less energy (fatigue),  feeling feverish inside,  with body pain, dry throat, dry cough, headache and watery  eyes. I did not have a loss of taste or smell, no shortage of breath or difficulty breathing  and no high fever.

Isolation in a small home during winter is a challenge especially during  week of winter break followed by week of  remote learning. Good  thing  that my husband and two kids were not hit  by the virus.   My 77-year old mother unfortunately got the virus from me and tested positive too.  She  had  same mild symptoms plus  runny nose,  chills,  fever and  severe joints pain.

Both of us  are  fully vaccinated and  had our booster shots  two weeks before we got infected.

Comparing our condition with some friends who got COVID-19 the same time with us, we all  exhibited same  mild to moderate illness with the worst symptoms  lasting four  to ten days –  which were manageable at home. I am a big fan to traditional home remedy. I  drink a lot of  ginger tea with lemon and honey,  did a couple of salt gargling and the good old salt therapy.

After binge watching  about 30  episodes of Criminal Minds,  a few food delivery  through  Skip the dishes and  two positive test results,  I  was  cleared of the virus and tested negative  using Rapid Antigen 12  days after the first  onset of   symptoms.

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The  latest surge of COVID-19  infections around the world,  in our own community or household  prove how highly contagious this new variant is.

No matter how we try to protect our selves,  given its high transmissibility,  it ends up reaching many homes.   If it hits  you, no point to be ashamed, guilty or anxious. Being proactive is the right approach.   I suggest loading up your pantry with essential  food items like soup. Over-the-counter fever and pain reliever and cough syrup should be handy just in case you need them. Rest is essential but a little movement  will not hurt.

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Judging by the symptoms I had,  looks like  it was Omicron that hit us  because of  the mild symptoms I experienced  (thankfully) although there was no official  medical confirmation   My case is one of those not reflected in the provincial case tally board.   In Manitoba,  currently  most  symptomatic people  who tested positive using self-administered home kit  were not officially reported to the health system.  Hence,  there is no monitoring of  individual  conditions or  progress and  no guidance on isolation.  I took the initiative of reporting my  case to our family doctor though.

It is important to seek medical help if you or your family members have underlying health conditions or if the symptoms are severe.

Health Links – Info Santé, is also  available to all Manitobans, operating  24/7  with a team of registered nurses answering inquiries   204-788-8200  •   1-888-315-9257. 

For information on where to get FREE COVID-19 test kits or where to go for PCR Test, please click:

https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/testing/locations.html

 

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