Corona Virus - it is the topic of every news channel, every conversation. I think I speak for us all when I say that we as people have never experienced anything like this in our lifetimes. I unfortunately contracted this little virus, the one with the big impact. This blog is basically a place where I am going to sum up all of the questions I have been receiving about my diagnosis! My goal here is to tell you all a real life account of someone who actually has the virus. I want to give you the true report on how I have been treated, my symptoms and what I have been told directly. I hope this is a source of real information - in the media storm that is Corona Virus. 

Let’s start off answering some questions. 

Q: What were your symptoms that led you to feel you needed to get tested? 

A: My symptoms started with severe chills. I got them in the evening and assumed it was just cold in my house - so I went to bed. I woke up around 3am unable to control my chills - I was SHIVERING under my blankets in bed! At this point I decided it was time to take my temperature. I had a low grade fever of 99.9. At this point I decided that it first thing in the morning I should go to the walk in clinic - to get tested for the flu and MAYBE corona virus, but at the time that I developed symptoms, I assumed that I did not have the virus because at the time the media was reporting that a cough, shortness of breath, and chest tightness were the main symptoms - of which I had none! By the time I woke up, I had the worst headache and body aches. My whole body felt like I had run a marathon the day before! Along with the chills. My symptoms lasted a total of 3 days, body aches being the main symptom that lingered. 

Q: How did you get your test? How long did you wait for results? Was The test painful? 

A: Keep in mind, I was given my test on March 18th - which was only about two weeks ago, but in this pandemic landscape that is a LONG time. Tests were more readily available, and the people needing tests were much lower. I called my local Vanderbilt walk in clinic, explained my symptoms, and came into the clinic. I was immediately asked to put on a mask, and I was told to wait in my car for them to call me for my test. I waited 3+ hours in my car, and then I was called! I proceeded to get my tests. At first the doctors tested me for the flu, bath strains. It was an in office test, and the results came back both negative. At the same time I was tested for COVID - 19. The test was a swab through the nose to the very back of my throat. It was unpleasant, but not painful! The amazing doctor who treated me was very quick! I was told that I would get my results in 48 - 72 hours, and I got my results in 72. 

Q: Did the doctors give you any medication for treatment? 

A: No! The doctors told me that if I was feeling bad, I could use over the counter flu medicine to help with symptoms. 

Q: How long did your symptoms last? What are you feeling now? 

A: My symptoms lasted really about 3 days. I still had body aches for about 5 or 6 days, and around the 5th day I did lose my sense of taste and smell! I am now currently 14 days out of showing symptoms, and my sense of taste and smell has returned, and I feel no other symptoms besides fatigue with physical activity. 

Q: What were the instructions as far as isolation after diagnosis? 

A: Originally I was told by the staff at Vanderbilt that I was to be in isolation for 14 days post showing symptoms. They did instruct me however, that I would receive a call from the Nashville Health Department - who takes direct instruction from the CDC and that anything they advise me will trump what instructions Vanderbilt gives. I received that call 7 days after getting tested, to where my nurse told me that the CDC had changed its guidelines, and that my isolation was over. The way it was explained to me was - isolation can be done with and I can start “living my life as normal” while still practicing social distancing 7 days after showing symptoms, and if 3 out of those 7 were considered “very good” days. My case was extremely mild - and for that I am grateful. If I had a more severe case, my isolation would have lasted longer because I would not have had 3 “very good” days in my 7. 

Q: Do you know where you contracted the virus? 

A: I truly have no idea. Two weeks before the onset of my symptoms, I was on a family vacation in Colorado. I went to a wedding out of state just 5 days before showing symptoms. That being said, no one who I was on the vacation with is sick, and no one from the wedding I attended is sick. So that leaves me to assume I picked it up after those events. I was in self quarantine for 3 days before I started showing symptoms. I went 3 places total in that time - I considered them essential. I can only assume that I picked it up on a surface of some kind in those outings. That being said - there is so much that is unknown about the incubation period and about this virus in general, so I am just purely making an assumption. 

Q: Has your husband gotten sick? How did you handle being together in the same house when you were sick? 

A: My husband (fingers crossed) as of right now is not showing symptoms. In theory he was exposed directly, so on the day that my isolation ended, his was extended to 14 days, because he was directly exposed. We are hoping that he doesn’t show symptoms in the two weeks - and he either was a carrier of the virus and asymptotic, or his body is just not contracting it. We were instructed to stay 6 feet apart in our home, sleep in separate beds, and clean common surfaces frequently. Until my isolation was up! Keep him in your prayers that he does NOT get sick! 

Q: Will you get retested? Can you get reinfected? 

A: I will not get retested. The need for tests is so critical right now, and they are saving those tests for those who are in more critical need. I was told that the chance of reinfection is “low” but not impossible! I was told this by my nurse at the health department. 

Now that I have answered the most common questions, I would like to reiterate that my case was MILD. For many people, healthy, young, does not matter - this is not the case. I want to stress to you all that this is a very serious virus, and it is having an effect on people in ways we have no idea of predicting. This is why it is so important to STAY HOME! Don’t go over to your friends house, don’t have a quarantine party. Go out for essentials only! Food, medication, work if you must. I have no idea where I contracted the virus, and no idea who I may have spread it to. 

I do want to thank you for reading this, and hopefully it brings you some insight on how it actually is going down if you do contract the virus! I want to thank you for supporting this small business and reading this blog. Clicking the link and visiting the site. This time is hard for businesses like ours, so every sale, every click, every like - gives us hope that there is a light at the end of the tunnel! We appreciate you more than you know. 

I hope that you stay happy, healthy, and responsible during this time. Use this time to reconnect to you, to find a routine that makes you feel whole, to take a moment to breathe. I am more than willing to answer any other questions you may have. You can DM me on @stella218 OR on @epicrainboutique! I aim to bring you enlightenment and peace during this time. Stay Epic, Babes.