Confused about Covid-19 symptom progression

Posted by mkqq @mkqq, Apr 17, 2020

Hi all,

So I had a fever almost 7 weeks ago now. The fever itself lasted 2-3 days. Initially I had green/yellow phlegm but later I started coughing up white phlegm. The white phlegm lasted 3-4 weeks and it was only a week ago it stopped.

During these few weeks I've been very fatigued. I can manage my daily activities no problem but would be breathing quite heavily with any light exercise. This has improved in the last 2 weeks or so, I've going out for some bike rides and doing some exercises at home.

I do suspect that I had a mild form of pneumonia or bronchitis. Whether it's Covid-19 pneumonia or flu-related pneumonia I don't know. My GP is not taking me very seriously as he says you need to have a fever with pneumonia.

But from what I see based on the Covid-19 symptoms, the fever/cough comes first and goes. The shortness of breath comes after that. Is this correct? Or does the fever last as long as the pneumonia?

Or in non-Covid-19 related cases, if the pneumonia last for 3 weeks can the fever also last for 3 weeks?

Just would like to know what I've possibly had or still have. Currently I still don't have more than 20% of the energy I used to have.

Many thanks

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 Support Group.

fiesty76 | @fiesty76 | May 29, 2020

Hi, clark782, I am sorry you are having these worrisome, painful chest pains following the virus in March but so glad you are having it checked out by your specialists. I haven't had the virus but am frequently reading of others who are having extended "possible side effects". Hope you receive a good report from your upcoming tests.

clark782 | @clark782 | Jun 2, 2020

Hey, just wanted to let you know I went to the Cardiologist yesterday for a stress test and echocardiogram and he said everything was normal. The doctors said its possible it could just still be the after effects of the virus causing upper respiratory inflammation along with anxiety and stress.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jun 2, 2020

In reply to @clark782 "Hey, just wanted to let you know I went to the Cardiologist yesterday for a stress..." + (show)

@clark782, I appreciate your returning with this update. Medical professionals continue to learn more about the effects of COVID-19. It appears that some (many?) people suffer lingering effects. I'm glad that you checked things out with the cardiologist to be sure and that all is well with your heart. There is no doubt that anxiety and stress play a significant factor when recovering for many people.

You might appreciate reading this 10-part blog series written by Dr. Dona Locke:
- Creating your Resiliency Roadmap https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/living-with-mild-cognitive-impairment-mci/newsfeed-post/creating-your-resiliency-roadmap-introduction/

Resilience is the ability to adapt to, or bounce back from, challenging life situations. The blog series walks you through a plan that may help reduce the anxiety. Have you ever tried something like this?

fiesty76 | @fiesty76 | Jun 2, 2020

In reply to @clark782 "Hey, just wanted to let you know I went to the Cardiologist yesterday for a stress..." + (show)

Hi, @clark782, Thank you for updating us and glad your tests proved normal! That is one big relief for sure. However, I'm wondering if the doc offered to prescribe an anti-anxiety med for the short term stress? My family doc prescribed one for me years ago when extended family medical situations were becoming increasingly stressful for me. I stopped the med. when situation improved but am so very thankful for the added help during that time.

clark782 | @clark782 | Jun 4, 2020

In reply to @fiesty76 "Hi, @clark782, Thank you for updating us and glad your tests proved normal! That is one..." + (show)

Hello, @fiesty76, No the doctor never prescribed me anything. All the doctors I saw said they think anxiety is playing a part for sure but nothing was prescribed.

robbie1956 | @robbie1956 | Jun 6, 2020

In reply to @mkqq "Doctor is not much help these days, they don't know much more about this virus than..." + (show)

Vitamin D deficiency can make me feel crummy sometimes... lately, I’ve been tired, but mainly from disrupted sleep patterns and general anxiety for just about all things considered....my problem is anytime I feel a little ‘weird’, hot, flushed, tired, etc. I am always haunted by the spectre of COVID19.....wish I could help more....

Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor | @astaingegerdm | Jun 6, 2020

@fiesty76 @mkqq @clark782 and others posting here- I am curious to know if any of you had chest X-rays- also if yes, any repeat X-ray- or CT scan of chest? Also, were your oxygen levels followed ?
Comparing with my experience last year with flu and bacterial pneumonia.

fiesty76 | @fiesty76 | Jun 6, 2020

@astaingegerdm, Hi Ingegerd, I haven't had Covid-19 but do have very long bouts of chronic bronchitis. These usually do require chest X-rays and sometimes a CT scan as well. My pulmonary doc is very proactive and I feel lucky to have her. I have been on oxygen at night for several years so she also tracks oxygen levels closely.

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