I Probably Already Had Covid-19 — and other insights from this past week

The last thing I want to do is think about corona virus. I’m sure by now you’re probably feeling the same way. But here we are in the middle of a global pandemic and think about it we must.

I had something totally different in mind to share this week that I was all excited about, but in light of what’s happening it would seem trivial. (Although also incredibly relevant. More on this next week.)

There has been so much new information in such a short amount of time, it’s mind boggling. Here are my favorite insights from this past week—including that I probably already had it!

• The symptoms. Fever, dry cough, shortness of breath with no congestion. It sounds pretty standard and didn’t think much of it until I read this: “Here is a simple self-check that we can do every morning. Take a deep breath and hold your breath for more than 10 seconds. If you complete it successfully without coughing, without discomfort, stiffness or tightness, etc., it proves there is no Fibrosis in the lungs, basically indicates no infection. In critical time, please self-check every morning in an environment with clean air.” This bit came from a source with some dubious information and I don’t know how correct the terms “prove” or “fibrosis” are in this instance (it’s translated from another language), but it is very specific, and helpful for me. (More on this below.)
• If anyone is looking for the next million-dollar product idea: “Don’t Touch Your Face Gloves”! Cute, fashionable, bling—or other personal statement options—anything that you would wear, but not want to touch your face with. Low production and shipping costs—hi profit margin. Anyone game for a new venture? If so I’ll pre order a few pairs because as it turns out, I LOVE TOUCHING MY FACE!
• For all of the potential downsides of Covid-19 there are at least as many upsides. A few that I’m particularly excited about are 1. The benefit to the environment. 2. People will take their health more seriously. 3. People will finally learn to wash their hands properly. 4. Public places will be less crowded and cleaner. 5. The need for universal healthcare in the US will be more evident than ever and support for it is likely to grow. 6. People will spend more time at home with their families. 7. New industries that will increase global resilience may spring up… I’m leaving a lot out, but I’m sure you could find dozens of your own reasons why this could potentially be awesome!
• Now here’s my story, the one I dangled before you in the subject line.

This past fall a lot of people around here where commenting on how “the flu season is particularly bad this year.”  I rarely get the flu—and if I do—It’s a few days of malaise that I know better than to try and push through. Not a big deal for me.

When I got sick on January 15th, Corona was not yet on my radar. It was the 3rd day of an event where women had flown in from all over the country. Two of the women were sick and I sat next to one of them for the entire 3 days. On the 3rd day I developed a fever, which lasted for 4 days of 102 temp with aches, dry, prickly cough, no stuffy nose, no congestion, however I was definitely trying to get stuff up and out of my lungs to the point I actually injured my ribs. The cough persisted for about 5 weeks. To be honest I thought I was being a bit of a baby canceling all of my live events for 3 weeks. (So glad I did!) Now, 8 weeks later, I feel better than ever… just FYI. (I don’t want you to worry.)

After reading the more explicit description of symptoms above than I had seen before, I realized it was describing what I experienced. During the worst of it I couldn’t hold my breath for even 2 seconds. Talking put me into coughing fits. My coughs where deep, violent attempts to get stuff up and out of my lungs, which I did, and on some occasions with blood, and they left me exhausted. But there was no congestion, no runny nose. My sinuses were clear as a bell. After the fever was gone, I still couldn’t hold my breath at all. I had a tight, uncomfortable feeling in my lungs that made it impossible for me to hold my breath for more than 5 seconds at a time and it was particularly disconcerting, like “I’m too young to feel this decrepit”! I don’t remember having a sore throat, but I did have some pretty severe aches, especially in one leg (the one with the hurt toe).

Looking for perspective, I called some of the other women who I know were sick around the same time and place I was, including a few who also suspect they had Corona. One was on a cruise ship that is now quarantined due to the virus. Between them they accounted for a dozen or more cases including spouses & friends. Some recovered after a few days or a week, one had it really bad for 2 months, but she has asthma as a preexisting condition. Their kids didn’t seem to get it.

After that I called my doctor who said she suspects she has been treating corona cases as far back as October/November. She did not have any information on a titer test (looks for antibodies rather than active virus) and referred me to Sonoma County Health Department Of Health. They knew of no titer test and referred me to my primary care physician. Since I am now with Kaiser I called them. The latest: there is no titer test at this point. They can barely stay current on tests for sick people, and without current symptoms there is no protocol for any testing of any kind.

As I sit here and write this blog, I just spoke to one of the women who was at the event with me who got sick at the same time I did. She also believes she had the corona virus. She is married to a doctor and it is “his discernment” that that is what she had. The good news is that she is fine and neither her kids nor her husband got it even though she was as sick as she was.

While I am feeling surprisingly happy and relieved that I (probably) had it, I also know things are going to get worse before they get better. It’s still unclear if one can get re infected, and the biggest concern, I think, is asymptomatic people walking around and unwittingly infecting those with compromised immune systems and older folks.

With all of the canceled events and telecommuting, there’ll be extra time to catch up on sleep, cook some healthy food, get in your happy place, find the silver linings, read, meditate, etc. The best way to come through this with flying colors is just to be as healthy and happy as you can possibly be!

Join me and 20 other health experts for Why Eating Healthy Is Not Enough: Staying Healthy Through Uncertain Times – A telesummit covering pest practices for getting
and staying healthy no matter what life or this quickly changing world throws at you.
Dates April 28 – May 5th