I know we are not supposed to talk about COVID but I caught it.  I spent six days in the hospital where never got out of bed while they drew blood for tests three times a day and pumped me full of antibiotics.  I'm cured now but still have to wear a mask in public for the next five days.  And I was unable to walk unassisted to the bathroom.  I needed a nurse to hold my arm until I got in the bathroom and could grab a grab-iron of the wall.  I have a borrowed walker to use for a few days until I get my land legs back.

I think I got it at an assisted living facility visiting a sick friend.  I made several trips there and never thought about wearing a mask.  I was a tough guy who never got sick.  No headaches or colds or the flue.  I thought I was as healthy as a horse but COVID laid me flat.  It also proves no good deed goes unpunished.

I hope the moderators allow this personal experience through and hopefully this COVID thread will not turn into the politics of COVID.  I make no recommendations to anyone.

Noel

1 hour ago, birdguy said:

I hope the moderators allow this personal experience through and hopefully this COVID thread will not turn into the politics of COVID.  I make no recommendations to anyone.

Approved and I’m pleased to hear you’re recovering. Others please take note of Noel’s request.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery. 

Praying you have a full and lasting recovery🙏

Wife and I are two weeks recovering. This plague is ever with us.

My wife came home from international travel last week and started to display symptoms. Took a test and, yep, it was the krud. She did a televisit with her doctor and got on the anti-viral meds within 24 hours. 

We are at day 5 and all of symptoms are gone except food having an unusual taste. 

Glad to hear you were able to kick it, Noel. 

Edited September 27, 2025Sep 27 by hs118

Glad you got it caught!

My own experience was quite a while ago, but I didn't even know I had it. The first clue was when it went through my usually strong defenses in just a few hours, rather than the days it takes anything else to affect me before usually being defeated and fading away.

I was feeling terrible, laying down and not even thinking about the hospital, when my cat, who had been staring at me all day and hovering nearby suddenly went wild, meowing like crazy and ran into my side at full speed, then jumped off the bed, raced in a u-turn, then jumped back up and slammed into me again, yowling the whole time.

For some reason, this got my attention!! 🐈(she's never before or since done anything like that)

"Alright, alright!" I told her, "I'll go to the hospital! Jeez........."

So I went, and..... Yup, Covid.

Lasted forever.

Glad you are gradually improving Noel.  I had Covid about 8 weeks ago for the first time.  Luckily I had six booster shots to date.  I mostly felt like I had a sinus infection with a killer headache and fatigue.  I'm a youngster at 70 yrs old, but still have the "long haulers" fatigue.  For two or three weeks, all I wanted to do was sleep, and I did.  I feel lucky considering the millions who died, young and old.

Covid is still a force to be taken seriously! 

I wondered where you were, Noel, and was about to drop you a PM.

My daughter and I had it way back when it kicked off. Exactly the same symptoms. Both vaccinated. It lasted just a couple of days over the Christmas. 

Glad you're on the mend. 

I’ve had COVID three times in two years. My experience is those boosters are little more than a placebo.

Glad you are recovering, Noel and all the others who have had it.  I definitely had it in the fall of 2022, I think I might have had it again last year.  I had the symptoms, but the at-home tests were negative.  The first time I had it I was really sick.  Fever, sore and swollen throat, headache, an incredibly productive cough, and fatigue.  That first time left me with a chronic, dry cough and fatigue that lasted for almost 2 years.  And, yes, I was vaccinated.

18 minutes ago, Patco Lch said:

I’ve had COVID three times in two years. My experience is those boosters are little more than a placebo.

 

They dont stop you getting it, just reduce severity

Got Covid twice, the second 5 months after the first vaccine. The two cases lasted no more than 6-7 days, making me feeling weak and tired. After the latest case, got two more shots and so far so good. I would also recommend anyone who uses to go often to crowded places to always wear a mask.

Wow!  I certainly didn't expect this many replies.  It seems a lot of us in this rather small community have been stricken.

I awakened this morning about a half hour later than I usually do; but feeling pretty good.  I don't need the spare walker I was loaned yesterday.  I'm pretty steady on my feet.  I am required to wear a mask until Tuesday except when I am having meals in the dining room; kind of difficult eating sunny side up eggs for breakfast through a mask.

My brother died of COVID about 5 years ago.  He was 85.  I was the big brother who was born first so I must have stolen all the good genes.

I had questions for my doctor when I was discharged from the hospital yesterday.  Can I catch COVID again?  Yes!  Do I need to get vaccinated?  That's up to you.  The jury is still out but it doesn't hurt to get one so why not?  Am I contagious now?  No.

And thanks to all of you who wish me well.  I appreciate the replies.  And stay well.  At 91 I'm still going strong.  We have three ladies here who are over 100.  I dance with one of them when we have live music at our Thursday afternoon socials.  Of course we dance pretty slowly; not the modern pogo stick conventions you see on the dance floor these days.  I plan to be the first guy here to become a centenarian.  

Noel

3 hours ago, martin-w said:

 

They dont stop you getting it, just reduce severity

Exactly!  Thank you Martin.  They NEVER said the vaccines/boosters would prevent you from getting Covid, just reduce the severity of the symptoms and increase your chances of survival.

I knew two young men in their 40s, both is good health, that contracted Covid in the beginning stages of the pandemic, unfortunately they both died from it.  I've also known several people who were not vaccinated, got Covid and only had mild to moderate symptoms.  You just don't know if you'll be one of the lucky ones or one of the millions who died and are still dying from it.

The vaccines/boosters are a personal choice, nothing political.