Almost exactly a month ago, I contracted COVID (most likely from school where I am an educator) and it hit me pretty hard. I had no underlying health issues but I was pretty much confined to bed/couch for 3 full weeks. Lots of symptoms came and went...full body ache, feeling cold and shivering, lack of appetite, always tired, headache non-stop. Toward the end of week two, I started coughing and my chest felt tight.
Glad to say I am almost back to normal, still have a hard time catching my breath, especially after climbing a flight of stairs etc. That is totally not like me and I am wondering if anyone has recovered from COVID and can let me know if they went through something similar. Is this something that is gonna drag on for months/years? I really want to start exercising again but I just can't do it yet.
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I haven't had COVID personally, and my younger brother (who works full-time in retail) is the only one in my immediate family who has (that we know of). I have read, though, that there is kind of "post-COVID syndrome," where people who've had it have lingering effects: shortness of breath, fatigue and continued loss of sense of taste and smell are the ones I think that are more prominent. So unfortunately, I think you aren't alone. I know my brother, who only had severe symptoms for a few days, had some shortness of breath after he got better.
I think it's individual as to when you'll fully recovery, but I agree to listen to your body and not try to push yourself to get there before its ready.
Today I went out for a 40 min walk, didn't push the pace and just wanted to see how it would go. A few times I felt my chest tighten so I slowed down (Im sure the cold weather didn't help), but I'll chalk it up as a success and keep trying to take baby steps. I'm sure I am at least a month away any intense jogging or cycling but here is hoping.