Bjonda Haliti, from California, USA, has tested positive for coronavirus at the age of 22 – and has now penned an invaluable diary she hopes will help other young people
A 22-year-old woman who has tested positive for coronavirus has penned an invaluable day-by-day diary of her symptoms.
In a series of posts on Twitter, Bjonda Haliti, from California, USA, says she wants other young people to be aware of the reality of the pandemic as it sweeps across the world.
In a post which has been shared nearly 190,000 times, she said: “I’ve been debating on posting, but I want to share my experience especially with those around my age to help bring awareness, and to relieve any stress/anxiety some may have due to the pandemic.”
Encouraging others to take social distancing advice seriously, the young woman says she isn’t sure how she picked up the flu-like virus, but that it may have been while she was out at a bar or club.
She says her illness started with a mild cough and slightly sore throat, and that she learnt she had Covid-19 after requesting a test.
Thankfully, 10 days later, she feels healthy again, although she’s still self-isolating.
The US now has 9,464 confirmed cases of coronavirus, which has spread to all 50 states and has claimed the lives of 155 people.
You can read Bjonda’s full diary below.
Day 1
It started with a mild dry cough and a slightly sore throat. I was very tired that night.
Day 2
I felt a lot of pressure in my head to the point I would have to cough softly to avoid the discomfort. That night, I experienced the chills and had a fever.
One main symptom that stood out to me, my eyes physically hurt. They were tender and sore.
Moving them was uncomfortable. Doing some research I discovered this was just a migraine, but it didn’t go away at all. I slept all day.
Day 3
Energy levels very low, I only slept, and still ran fevers. At this point, my symptoms were: dry cough, migraine, fever, chills, some nausea.
I decided to go to the doctors where I tested negative for the flu and strep.
The doctor told me I probably just had an infection and prescribed me antibiotics and 800mg of ibuprofen. I made sure to stay extremely hydrated and stocked up on vitamins and probiotics.
That night, I still ran a fever.
Day 4
Finally no more fever, but a new symptom showed up: shortness of breath.
It was uncomfortable, it felt like I had bricks on my chest. I tried the self diagnose test I read online (hold your breath and count to 10) which I successfully did with no complications.
At this point I wanted to test for corona like I should have been in the first place, but it was very difficult to get tested for it! I continued to self-quarantine and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
Day 5
Symptoms: sore throat, cough, shortness of breath.
I went to the same doctor and I was very adamant about getting tested.
Doctor said my vitals were “unremarkable” but I wasn’t going to take no for an answer! I also requested chest X-rays, everything came out normal.
I was advised to continue self quarantine, and I would receive my results in 5-6 days!
Day 6
With the continued use of antibiotics and ibuprofen, my symptoms were: sore throat, cough, shortness of breath. My energy levels began to increase.
Day 7
Symptoms: slight sore throat, mild cough, shortness of breath. Energy levels increasing.
Day 8
Symptoms: Mild cough, starting to feel like myself again. Energy!
Day 9
Symptoms: My cough was a little heavier, normal energy levels.
Day 10
Symptoms: Mild cough, mucus, normal energy levels. My lab results came in: POSITIVE.
