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Follow up questions answered here:
I'm pleased my tweets about my experience of coronavirus are helping inform people about the seriousness of what's transpiring. There's been a tidal wave of follow up questions which I've lumped together into the twelve below - I'll answer these now 1/
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As this thread it still getting a lot of attention. If you found it useful, consider making a donation to these guys. I’m not affiliated with them, but we all need to support and help the NHS however we can. This is a way to help it’s workers directly:
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Before I start, remember, I am *NOT* a doctor. I'm just an ordinary person who's sharing his experiences, hopefully to help others. When it comes to your own health, take the advice of trained, trusted, reliable professionals. 2/
Was I formally tested? No. Very few people can access formal tests (although I did ask for one, I was told no). That said, I consulted three different doctors by phone/whatsapp/video several times during the most acute phases of this. All said it's coronavirus. 3/
How did I get it? No idea, and it's not helpful to speculate. 4/
Did I get the flu shot this season? Yes. I lecture at a major university with lots of students so I get the shot every year. Despite that, I got the flu in December. 5/
How did I lower blood pressure naturally? I got into bed, I put comedies on Netflix, I drank water constantly (but not in bulk), and I spoke to my partner
@jasmineelgamal
over Facetime for several hours, drifting in/out of sleep at times (whilst leaving the call on). 6/
Having your loved ones around is crucial and letting them support you is vital. In our case we're currently trapped in different countries but, well, that's what technology is there for. We've spoken everyday during this for many, many hours. We're apart but not alone. 7/
The other thing a doctor advised me was to lie on my stomach. This is known as 'proning' or the 'prone position.' Apparently it helps with getting oxygen into the blood. (Remember, I'm *NOT* a medical professional. Consult people and sources you trust on this) 8/
Anyway, the advice was not to lie on my back (which felt more natural). I spent a few days sleeping on my stomach. It helped me. (Again, seek your own medical advice if you experience a hypertensive crisis). 9/
What's my blood group? I don't know, but people are asking this because there's a theory that coronavirus is hitting people in blood group "A" harder than others. I have no idea about the science behind this. As with so much about coronavirus, we don't really know much 10/
Do I have asthma/an inhaler? No 11/
Did anything help the cough? No. This was worrying and depressing. When the coughing fits come, there's nothing you can do. Someone replying to my thread described it as having "shards of glass in your lungs." That's an accurate description. 12/
Am I smoker? No. But I did smoke in my youth. I did a PhD after all, and you don't get through that without smoking!! 13/
Are my lungs permanently damaged? Some doctors have said coronavirus causes permanent damage. To be honest, I just don't know and, at the moment, my lungs are far from properly healed. I still have the cough and occasional bouts of tightness. 14/
When all this is over I suppose an x-ray will reveal if there's been damage. For now, the hospitals are rightly only treating those who are fighting for their lives. The rest of us can wait. 15/
Do I still have symptoms? Yup. As I said, this thing is particularly cruel because the recovery is not linear. I usually experience two good days and then it returns. Today is another 'day 3' for me and I don't feel great. It's usually worse in the evenings. 16/
How did you communicate with the doctor? I communicated with doctors I knew over whatsapp and by calls. I also spoke to my GP by phone (remember, don't go out!) who has been brilliant. She's called a few times to check on my BP. 17/
The 111 service (in the UK) is pretty overwhelmed and although I tried to call them once, I gave up after being on hold for about 40 minutes. I called the GP the following morning and requested a phone consultation, which I got. 18/
They originally told me all coronavirus cases need to go through 111, but I was politely insistent that I really just wanted to speak with my GP and that I was concerned about my BP. The receptionist was amenable and the call with the GP helped reassure me. 19/
Did I take any medication? I only took paracetamol. Coronavirus is something entirely new and we don't know enough about it. I decided that if I was at home and self medicating, this was not the time to introduce new/unknown stuff to my body. 20/
Drink water like you've only just discovered it. Take paracetamol. Also, I was advised to eat small meals rather than big ones. Big meals take energy to digest and you need that energy to fight the virus. Also, sleep, sleep, sleep. Let your immune system do its thing. 21/
A couple of final points from me. (1) As I did not go to the hospital or use a ventilator, my case is classified as 'mild.' Remember that when you hear that most people will experience only mild symptoms. 22/
(2) There's a lot of real (and dangerous) rubbish out there about what you should/shouldn't do. Consult reputable medical sources and reputable public health bodies/officials. You have to take control of your health at this time. Be smart about it. 23/
Aside from that, thank you to every single person who has sent me kind wishes. It's been overwhelming and very much appreciated. And thank you to the staff of the NHS, who are a beacon to the world. /ENDS