Reader Talkback Results: Have you had Covid-19 personally? What was the experience like for you?

The following is our exclusive weekly feature in which we ask our readers a news topical question and then give you a week to answer it on our various channels, compiling a diverse range of answers and opinions to present to you, our valued readers. Here are the results from our last question…

Last week, we asked you the following:

Have you had Covid-19 personally? What was the experience like for you?

The context behind this question was:

Many people’s Covid-19 experiences seem to differ, based on a variety of factors. We would like to hear from our readers who wish to share their experiences. Also, some sub-questions if it applies:

-If you had it in Thailand, did you have to go to a quarantine center? What was this experience like?

-When did you have it? Did you have any idea of the variant?

-What were your symptoms like? How long did they last?

-Did you face any bias, stigmatization, or factors relating to having Covid that has nothing to do with symptoms?

-If comfortable, adding in vaccination status, age, health conditions can help give a better picture.

Here is what you, our readers, had to say as our editors selected some of the most diverse responses to highlight different points of view. Obviously, we can’t post everyone’s opinion here so selected a variety of the most diverse opinions. As always, the opinions and statements below are the reader’s own and may not reflect those of TPN media. There have been minor edits for spelling and grammar only:

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-Somchai-I had covid a year ago, it was not so severe as influenza but lasted much longer, for 2 weeks, while flu is usually gone within a week.

The only symptoms were cough, loss of appetite, and permanent mild fever.

The recovery was immediate, without any gradual improvement, it was just gone by the next morning.

I took vitamin D, Zinc, and Azythromicin to prevent bacterial infection, as it is one of the main reasons for severe complications.

The good thing is that I managed to lose 3-4 kilos during these 2 weeks.

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Hammer-

In response to your request about having Covid in Thailand my experiences are as follows:
1.  I tested positive on Christmas day using an antigen test kit
2.  The only symptom I had was a sore throat for about 1 day.  I had no fever, headache, body aches, loss of taste/smell, and no respiratory difficulties.
3.  I self quarantined for 7 days in my room, had food delivered, and took generous amounts of vitamin C, D, and Zinc
4.  I tested every day and after day 5 I tested negative.   I continued to stay in quarantine for 2 additional days, testing negative on those days as well.  On day 8 I again tested negative and left myself quarantine status.   I now have been testing every 2 days and I have always tested negative.
5.  I have no idea what strain of the virus I had but based on my mild symptoms I am thinking it was Omicron.
6.  I am a male 73 years of age, and I consider myself to be healthy based upon my age, with the only medication I take being a blood thinner and some HBP medication.
7.  I was fully vaccinated with Moderna in the USA in July.
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Jenifer D-
 I had Corona way back in late March 2020, quite early in the game! Of course, there were no vaccinations then; although I lived in Thailand for 8 1/2 yrs, I left mid-2018.
       The 2 weeks were some of the worst imaginable, w/full gamut of symptoms- every bone in my body hurt, like the flu on steroids minus stomach discomfort, constant dry cough& pain in lungs, etc, etc etc! Both my roommate and I had it, we were both sleeping 16-20 hrs a day and feeling like we got hit by a cement truck the few hours we were awake…
        A week into it, I was frying garlic & chilis in our small kitchen and could neither smell nor taste them, this was when I knew beyond a doubt it was Covid! Obviously, it was the 1st variant!
         At the time, I was just shy of my 64th birthday; fortunately, I had no other co-morbidities such as obesity, diabetes, etc, so there was no need for hospitalization…
        I was fortunate, but it was no picnic, and I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy!  Those who are in denial about it, it IS real- but they are lying about the origin story; it DID come from Wuhan Lab (there was an excellent, copiously researched Vanity Fair piece on it several months ago that I would be glad to forward)  – all we don’t know is was it an accident or (cue ominous music) was it on purpose? Maybe this virus has supplanted the last 2 usual flu seasons?!?!?!?
         Let us hope that the new omicron variant since it is more contagious but less serious/deadly, is the variant that finally allows herd immunity to build up…
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Gene W-
Got it first in mid-December 2019 coming from Thailand going through China returning to the USA in November. I thought at first it was the common flu. Started off as a slight cough. Then came to a point I had to keep my conversations minimum. For after talking for a bit I couldn’t stop coughing. I couldn’t breathe. Until I couldn’t breathe at night time. I had to sleep upright for 4 nights in order to try to get sleep. Congestion was so bad and wouldn’t come out. I was taking cough medicine and over-the-counter Mucinex. I knew I had to do small walks in order to break up the congestion in my chest. The funny thing only after 6 days of agonizing hell it left suddenly. A month later in January 2020, they declared it to be an epidemic. Never took the test or anything. But I know it was it. Never has anything like that before. Never thought it to be anything different than the common flu but much worse. So I never went to the doctor.
This New year I got the newest one. Started off with an itchy throat. Then sore. Fever. Slight coughing. Tired. Stayed 10 days in self-quarantine and it’s almost finished now. Never had a breathing problem like the other. But had a fever for 3 nights. You think it’s over but there were 3 stages. I did get 2 vaccines back in the USA. But never got the booster. Honestly, I don’t think the booster would have done anything.
Anyone holding out on the vaccines. Parts of me say they’re smart. Because at the end of this epidemic I believe there will only be 1 shot for covid. Not the 3 4 5 6 7 or more we are told to take.
Anyway, this is my opinion. I’m in medium health. Little overweight and not into fitness. Try to eat right. Little walk here and there. Don’t smoke or drink. High cholesterol Little bit and my blood pressure is a little high
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Mikey I-Yep. I had it recently when everyone else did here in Pattaya. Had an itchy throat and was congested a bit. Little tired. My hangovers for the past few years are ten times worse and I’m not lying. This was far less of an issue than the flu or a bad cold. However, it was likely Omicron. I’m vaccinated, double, AZ.
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Tim-According to the doctors who I believe ripped me off for insurance money I did. Asymptomatic, but they claimed I needed every pill and X-ray and test in the book when I tested positive on test and go. IMO it’s a complete scam. Yes, it’s a real virus. However, hospitals are actively trying to rip people off on it IMO.
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A.C-My late husband did, and it was Alpha I believe in 2020. Unfortunately, he passed away. This was before vaccines and he was in poor health, overweight, and over 65 with several other issues. However, I often see comments on your media and others who “dismiss” people like him and this is offensive. He was a real person and regardless of health issues he didn’t deserve to go.  Thanks for this talkback.
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Ryan R-Yep. Tested positive around New Year’s here in Pattaya, probably got it from bars. It was about as bad as stubbing your toe. Sorry, just being honest. I’m 29, healthy, unvaccinated, no prior health issues.
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Neil M-Yes, it was a very bad flu for me. I had two doses of Pfizer and had what I believed was delta last year. I was tired going from the toilet to my bed and lost my appetite, however, no issues with smell or taste. I slept about 16 hours a day for two weeks. I am 71 and overweight but have no long-term health issues. I recovered in a hospital and thanked them for the medicine and care.
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That is it for this week! Stay tuned for another reader talkback VERY soon! We appreciate EVERYONE’s feedback and thoughts! If you didn’t get a chance to answer, Tell us on our social media channels, in the comments below, or if you prefer your comment to be private mail us at Pattayanewseditor@gmail.com. 

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Adam Judd
Mr. Adam Judd is the Co-owner of TPN Media since December 2017. He is originally from Washington D.C., America, but has also lived in Dallas, Sarasota, and Portsmouth. His background is in retail sales, HR, and operations management, and has written about news and Thailand for many years. He has lived in Pattaya for over nine years as a full-time resident, is well known locally and been visiting the country as a regular visitor for over a decade. His full contact information, including office contact information, can be found on our Contact Us page below. Stories please e-mail Editor@ThePattayanews.com About Us: https://thepattayanews.com/about-us/ Contact Us: https://thepattayanews.com/contact-us/