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Dr Leah Lundell PhD's avatar

Hope you’ve turned a corner and feeling better! “Absolutely miserable, but without true medical distress” is much more apt than “mild”! ❤️‍🩹

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Jeremy Faust, MD's avatar

ups and downs but...the ups are a bit and the downs are less bad. Day 4 here. Hoping for a big turnaround tomorrow and Friday.

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Donna Lohmann Barker's avatar

Agree! Have to steal this.

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Jeremy Faust, MD's avatar

Take it :) It's interesting because from the standpoint of public health implications, moderate or severe implies need for acute medical attention (i.e. observation, admission, icu, etc). But from the standpoint of missed days of work and just "suffering"...this is pretty disruptive.

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Donna Lohmann Barker's avatar

It is -- I worked through my last Covid infection (virtual tele sessions) but it was not fun. I hope you are feeling better!

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Bernadette Gasslein's avatar

Great description! I was thinking “If this is mild, I’m really glad it’s not severe.” The exhaustion was something I’ve never experienced before.

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Jeremy Faust, MD's avatar

yeah the fatigue piece is so real. I think we underestimate the spectrum of illness that "fatigue" can mean. There's "I'm tired but I can do things" and there's "I can't get out of this bed without a lot of effort." I'm about halfway between those today.

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Richard K's avatar

Your contrasting the technical definition of illness versus your experience of "going through the wringer" clearly signaled the reality of this virus. Ugh! I' not going to "test" the strength of my immune system by stopping my protocol of avoiding small indoor venues, crowded large venues, and masking in large stores...which I only enter when they are not crowded.

I am really glad that you have recovered! (and thanks for mentioning the spectraView app. which looks like fun.)

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Jeremy Faust, MD's avatar

Getting there. Still on the struggle bus..but improving. I think avoiding this virus in perpetuity is a tall order. But I'm certainly wishing it were possible. I generally share your approach which is to pick my battles and avoiding high risk situations whenever the option is there. If it is, I take those precautions. Silly example but a few weeks ago I was at a pretty crowded event and I chose a table right near the front door. Lots of fresh air was coming in. I think those little things help. Four years into this, though, I'll admit that that I can't avoid all risk.

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Cathleen Huckaby's avatar

Kudos on treating/being exposed to thousands of Covid pts. on the front lines for years. My sistah (Dr. Robin Schoenthaler, a Bawwsstteenn-wicked brilliant Covid-19 writer herself) and I devoured your every column, pic, and run-down of those scary ER nights you endured. What a hero you are!

My empathy runs deep & wide over YOUR bout' w/ Covid :((( Yes, a 'mild' case is not so tame per my experience (espec. after taking Paxlovid & rebounding). I'm praying for you right now & have finally subscribed (good intentions w/o action=missing 1/2 of your SMARTS.)

Rest is medicine, so sleep well & know you've made a HUGE impact in zillions of lives, especially mine!

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Jeremy Faust, MD's avatar

This is so nice! I am so grateful to everyone making such supportive comments. The Inside Medicine reader community is truly a great group of kind (and engaged) people.

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Cathleen Huckaby's avatar

Dude, YOU r the Rock 🌟 who literally created dis!! R u feeling a wee bit better? (Be honest😗)

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Jan's avatar

Thanks for teaching us even when you're not feeling well--"mild" but through the wringer

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Jeremy Faust, MD's avatar

thanks for being here :)

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Lori's avatar

Continued wishes for your recovery! Get lots of rest. Please don't overdo as you start to feel better. I have a friend with long Covid and don't want you to go down that road. Take care.

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Jeremy Faust, MD's avatar

Thank you. I think the risk is lower than it has been in the past...but that said, my viral loads appear pretty high. So that probably raises my risk level there. But I'm letting my body fight this sucker off, with an assist from a lot of fluids, Tylenol, and Advil. And sleep. So much sleep.

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Lori's avatar

Good to hear! Keeping you in my thoughts for a full return to health!

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Laurie's avatar

Wishing you a speedy recovery now that you are through the worst of it. May you have no set backs. You have confirmed my belief that I need to continue my precaution protocols.

Thanks so much for sharing your expertise and now your own experience.

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Jeremy Faust, MD's avatar

Thank you so much. This feels like influenza (which I believe I had once as an adult). That is not a recommendation to get it. It was *awful*, as is this.

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Kelly Ushpol's avatar

Please let us know how you are managing your illness versus your Dad’s? Also did everyone else in your home remain covid-free?

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Jeremy Faust, MD's avatar

I'll see if I can get his permission to discuss any further. He's doing well, though, I can tell you that.

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kate bremer's avatar

Take care! Glad you are finding interesting ways to entertain yourself and us!

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Jeremy Faust, MD's avatar

I did decide that when I got this damn thing that I'd try to learn something from it haha.

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Julie Wegener, MD's avatar

Wishing you good rest & quick recovery. Impressive work always!

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Jeremy Faust, MD's avatar

Thank you so much

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Ken Firestone's avatar

Feel better soon.

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Jeremy Faust, MD's avatar

much appreciated!

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Natalee Johnson's avatar

Take care and thank you!

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Jeremy Faust, MD's avatar

Thank you :)

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Robin Jordan's avatar

🌻hope you will feel better soon 🌻

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Jeremy Faust, MD's avatar

getting there little by little!

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Pam Kilberg's avatar

Hope you feel better soon Jeremy!

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Thomas Stumpf's avatar

Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Jeremy!!

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Jeremy Faust, MD's avatar

Thanks, Thomas.

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Aurelia's avatar

You hit the nail on the head with your description of "mild illness." To all those people out there who insist Covid is like a cold, those are some god awful wicked colds you've got.

The TP10 in the graph was interesting and a little concerning. That is pretty contagious for a positive line so faint many people would miss it. I hope you're feeling 100% recovered soon!

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Jeremy Faust, MD's avatar

Great point on TP10. I think there are two explanations here on that. First, it might have just been a bad swab. That happens. So...serial testing and rapid testing should go together like PB&J! Second, while a Ct value in the mid 20s is definitely contagious for MOST people, the superspreading that I'm most worried about happens at lower Ct values (the teens). That said, no test is perfect and it's possible the PCR was wrong too.

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Henry Warren's avatar

Very interesting. Through the wringer is right with added lethargy and side-orders of lingering malaise. OTC analgesics were helpful in my case but hardly curative. Sympathy.

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Jeremy Faust, MD's avatar

Absolutely. I am living from dose to dose of Tylenol and Advil. It's pretty clear when a few hours has gone by because I start to tank, energy wise.

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