Yes, you can catch Covid-19 twice
BORDEAUX – Bordeaux resident Fiona Reid shared her experience of overcoming the virus twice in the space of a year.
“Yes, you can catch Covid-19 twice, and it is undoubtedly scary.” These are the words of Bordeaux resident Fiona Reid, who shared her experience of overcoming the virus twice in the space of a year.
“The first time I contacted Covid-19 was in July 2020, and I have no idea where I picked it up. I felt the onset of the symptoms, self-isolated over the weekend, and tested for the virus on Monday following. I tested positive, and the experience was very scary and emotional.”
Reid self-isolated for 14 days. During the self-isolation, she suffered from headaches, loss of concentration and a scratchy throat. “I never had chest problems, and it never progressed to the point that I needed hospitalisation, even though it was touch-and-go at some points.” She made a full recovery, continuing to self-isolate and work from home. Months followed and the New Year dawned. Reid’s domestic worker returned from a break visiting her family over the festive season.
Little did she know that family members of hers had Covid-19 symptoms and that she was monitoring herself. “No one in her family had been tested, even though they had all the symptoms. She called me the next day in a state and told me that her sister had passed away, and she was unsure if it was from the virus,” Reid said.
Her domestic worker lived with her in a room inside her house. When discussing the matter later that evening, and as she knew all the symptoms of the virus, she discovered that her domestic worker’s sister most likely passed away from Covid-19 and insisted that her domestic worker get tested.
Her domestic worker tested positive for Covid-19. “We made a plan to transport her home where she could self-isolate with the comfort of her family. I had no symptoms, but I decided to test myself in any case to protect me and my family. I tested positive once again,” continued Reid. She added that her son, who spends most of his time with her and is in close contact, has not tested positive in both instances.
“As a single mom, I was very scared both times for my and my son’s health. You feel absolutely alone and that you cannot cope. Both times, I was sick for the full 14 day period, and I had completely different symptoms the second time. “You hear many horror stories about people and families that have had the virus, and the outcome has not been great. Everybody’s reaction to it is different, and I am thankful that I was able to recover twice.”
She said that she was feeling a whole lot better at this point, and added that the medical support from her doctor, Adri Rosch at the Randburg Medicross, was remarkable. “I was more ill the second time than I was in the first. My doctor placed me on all manner of medication and antibiotics, caught up on my progress every few days on the phone, and treated me in every instance.
If any symptoms deteriorated, she would call me in immediately for more tests.” Reid encouraged the community to be safe and vigilant regarding social distancing, hygiene, and isolation especially if they feel any of the Covid-19 symptoms.
She also wished that more education about the virus, how to be prevented, and the importance of early testing can take place in previously disadvantage communities, and encouraged the wider Randburg community to educate their domestic staff the same.
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