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AN NHS doctor in Oxford has given insight into what it is like to have Covid-19, after he contracted the virus himself.
Chris Gough took to Twitter yesterday to reveal that he was recovering from coronavirus, and to explain what his symptoms were.
More than 160,000 people have ‘liked’ his initial tweet and tens of thousands have interacted with the thread.
ALSO READ: Live updates on coronavirus in Oxfordshire
The clinician, who is an anaesthetist and works in intensive care, documented his own experience with a day-by-day breakdown.
In a series of tweets, he said: “Now that I am recovering from Covid-19, I want to share my symptoms, and my experience, in case it is of help to anyone else.
“I’ve felt pretty rotten the last few days, but am finally improving. I am only talking about my own experiences – as a patient, not a doctor.”
Equipment that we purchased through #smallgrants has allowed us to do over 500 education episodes for staff @OUH_CritCare – helping transform the way that staff are always learning and enhancing their skills whilst still delivering the best care to patients #TeaTrolleyTeaching pic.twitter.com/zcxVCCJbIK
— Chris Gough (@GoughCJ) February 3, 2020
Mr Gough (right) has been involved with Oxford University NHS Foundation Trust projects
Symptoms and the seriousness of Covid-19 vary from person to person, but a high fever and persistent cough are the main signs.
Mr Gough said day one started with fever, exhaustion and loss of appetite, adding: “Shivers and sweats were the story of the day. That and being utterly exhausted, with whole-body ache.”
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He said he then developed a cough and headache and had to take daytime naps.
He is currently on day seven of recovery and said he was starting to feel better yesterday.
That is as far as I have made it (so far).
If you meet the criteria (temp [>37.8] or a new cough), please follow the advice and self-isolate.
Protect your patients.
Protect your colleagues.
Protect your friends and family.
Protect yourself. (10/10).— Chris Gough (@GoughCJ) March 16, 2020
He said his brother, and his brother’s girlfriend, also presented with symptoms.
Mr Gough also called for a better testing system to protect heathcare staff.
He tweeted: “We must stop the ridiculous imbalance where politicians and sports stars can apparently get tested, but frontline health workers cannot.”
