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According to the Crawford County website, there are currently 132 active cases and 660 people in quarantine due to exposure. This number is up to date as of Tuesday, Nov. 3. I am currently one of those active cases. Last week I woke up feeling symptoms that normally come from the cold winter air coming in. A cough, congestion, and drainage. As someone with asthma I experience these symptoms every year when the seasons change, and the cold air comes in. These are not alarming symptoms and can be explained for many reasons by many people.
Though, they are also symptoms of COVID-19. The list of symptoms continues to grow because COVID-19 affects everyone differently. Some people require hospitalization, others feel like they have a cold. It’s different for everyone, so it’s important to take precautionary measures when not feeling well, even if it’s a common symptom. I felt like my symptoms were common, I felt fine, and I didn’t think much of it. On Wednesday, my symptoms had not improved, and I began to be worried. Not of COVID, it wasn’t on my forefront, I knew what it did to people, and I didn’t think my symptoms were bad enough.
Worried of possible bronchitis or pneumonia, I went to the health center, upon arrival they told me I had a fever and needed a COVID test and sure enough the next morning I woke up to a phone call saying I had tested positive. As the week has continued and my quarantine has dragged on, I have developed multiple symptoms of COVD. Some days have been relatively easy, I feel like I have a cold, like the earlier days before I tested positive. Other days I sleep all day because I am so tired, and I cannot move without feeling weak, exhausted, and out of breath. The nausea that comes along with it is also tough and makes it hard to function. The one symptom that has stuck around the longest is the cough and sore throat, they have neither improved nor worsened as the week has gone on. I am lucky enough though, to avoid the loss of taste and smell.
It is important to keep an eye on the symptoms list found on the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) website. Monitor for fevers and recognize signs and symptoms early on to prevent the spread. Even if it is just a cold, or allergies, it’s better to be proactive and go to the doctor to make sure, than to put it off and risk exposing others.
While I know, we are college students, and this is an extremely stressful time. It’s important to stay safe. Going out in large groups and partying is a rite of passage for college students and provides stress relief from school, especially how tough school has been during a pandemic. However, it is unsafe, I tested positive and did everything I could to be safe. I’m not saying never do anything fun again, just be safe with what you do. Hang out with friends, social distance in public, avoid crowds, find innovative ways to have fun while staying safe.
I did what I could, wore masks, socially distanced from others, avoided large groups and crowds, yet I still managed to test positive. Proving, anyone can get it, it spreads easily. For me, it hasn’t been too bad. I’m so thankful for that, as someone with asthma, I was concerned if I got it, I would require hospitalization. I’m thankful I have had it easier, though not everyone will. Be cautious, don’t stop living, just be aware and be safe. COVID-19 doesn’t appear to be going away anytime soon, despite how much we wish it was.