Might be useful to provide some information about existing conditions you may have so that we can get a picture of what symptoms to watch for beyond the "fever and difficulty to breathe" described by most sources.
Ask HN: Have you been infected by Covid-19? What is it like?
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Re: Ask HN: Have you been infected by Covid-19? What is it like?
#2Symptoms as described by WHO:
- https://i.cbc.ca/1.5496615.1584111464!/fileImage/httpImage/i...
- https://sm.mashable.com/mashable_sea/photo/default/coronavir...
Re: Ask HN: Have you been infected by Covid-19? What is it like?
#3I'm a retired programmer who does ride sharing in Silicon Valley. I often pick up people at the San Jose airport. Sometimes they are coming in from China or Seattle. I live in a Chinese neighborhood. I gave a woman who couldn't breath a ride to the emergency room. When I got sick in February, I figured it was the flu, but now realize it was probably Covid-19 based on symptoms. I recovered nicely and have been quarantining myself just in case.
It's like the flu with the added difference that it makes breathing more difficult. Also difficulty swallowing. It was more annoying than anything, not really that bad. I don't have any health problems, but if I did have breathing issues, I imagine it might be very problematic.
Re: Ask HN: Have you been infected by Covid-19? What is it like?
#4I'm a retired programmer who does ride sharing in Silicon Valley. I often pick up people at the San Jose airport. Sometimes they are coming in from China or Seattle. I live in a Chinese neighborhood. I gave a woman who couldn't breath a ride to the emergency room. When I got sick in February, I figured it was the flu, but now realize it was probably Covid-19 based on symptoms. I recovered nicely and have been quarant…
Thanks for sharing. Did you take any medication to ease the symptoms?
Re: Ask HN: Have you been infected by Covid-19? What is it like?
#5Symptoms as described by WHO: - https://i.cbc.ca/1.5496615.1584111464!/fileImage/httpImage/i... - https://sm.mashable.com/mashable_sea/photo/default/coronavir...
Are there any major differences between this and the annual, regular flu?
Re: Ask HN: Have you been infected by Covid-19? What is it like?
#6I'm a retired programmer who does ride sharing in Silicon Valley. I often pick up people at the San Jose airport. Sometimes they are coming in from China or Seattle. I live in a Chinese neighborhood. I gave a woman who couldn't breath a ride to the emergency room. When I got sick in February, I figured it was the flu, but now realize it was probably Covid-19 based on symptoms. I recovered nicely and have been quarant…
Thanks for sharing. Did you take any medication to ease the symptoms?
No, I don't like taking over the counter meds. The main thing is just get rest and try not to aggravate the coughing, which was a somewhat painful. I quit smoking last year, thank goodness. Chicken Noodle soup was really good for my sore throat and trouble swallowing.
Re: Ask HN: Have you been infected by Covid-19? What is it like?
#7Symptoms as described by WHO: - https://i.cbc.ca/1.5496615.1584111464!/fileImage/httpImage/i... - https://sm.mashable.com/mashable_sea/photo/default/coronavir...
Are there any major differences between this and the annual, regular flu?
It's essentially a somewhat more intense flu with no herd immunity, which means instead of spreading itself nicely throughout the year it comes in at once in a massive exponential spike that blows out the medical system
I'm kinda curious though if this quarantining is also gonna significantly help with any other diseases already out in the wild. Would be nice if we ended up also clearing out some of the regular flu stains too
Re: Ask HN: Have you been infected by Covid-19? What is it like?
#8Symptoms as described by WHO: - https://i.cbc.ca/1.5496615.1584111464!/fileImage/httpImage/i... - https://sm.mashable.com/mashable_sea/photo/default/coronavir...
What's alarming and kind of ironic is that COVID 19 has a lack of symptoms compared to the common flu. Aches and pains sometimes for COVID 19 as opposed to aches and pains common for the common flu. Runny nose sometimes for COVID 19 but runny nose common for the Common Flu. Its almost to say if you feel really bad you probably don't have COVID 19 unless you really start having trouble breathing. It's helps me appreciate the need to stay home if I just start getting SOME of the symptoms for the flu like a fever. Don't wait for body aches or a runny nose.
Re: Ask HN: Have you been infected by Covid-19? What is it like?
#9I'm a retired programmer who does ride sharing in Silicon Valley. I often pick up people at the San Jose airport. Sometimes they are coming in from China or Seattle. I live in a Chinese neighborhood. I gave a woman who couldn't breath a ride to the emergency room. When I got sick in February, I figured it was the flu, but now realize it was probably Covid-19 based on symptoms. I recovered nicely and have been quarant…
> It's like the flu with the added difference that it makes breathing more difficult. Also difficulty swallowing. It was more annoying than anything, not really that bad.
I had that as well for 3 weeks after being on an event with known covid-19 cases, feels very different from the flu. I asked if they wanted to diagnose me but I didn't fit their profile (being on the same event doesn't count as close contact), so I've self quarantined as well just in case.
Re: Ask HN: Have you been infected by Covid-19? What is it like?
#10Earlier quoted context omitted.
Thanks for sharing. Did you take any medication to ease the symptoms?
No, I don't like taking over the counter meds. The main thing is just get rest and try not to aggravate the coughing, which was a somewhat painful. I quit smoking last year, thank goodness. Chicken Noodle soup was really good for my sore throat and trouble swallowing.
From what I've read sore throat is relatively rare as a symptom of covid-19:
https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/coronavirus-sympto...
Notably, the COVID-19 infection rarely seems to cause a runny nose, sneezing, or sore throat (these symptoms have been observed in only about 5% of patients).
That doesn't mean you didn't have it, of course, but does suggest it might have just been a cold.