A man who was twice struck down with Covid symptoms fears he would not survive another bout of the virus.
Paul Vasey, 59, lost his sense of taste and smell shortly after the first wave of coronavirus struck in the UK in spring last year.
He and his wife Valentina immediately started self-isolating in line with government measures at the time - but they could not secure a test to confirm their self-diagnosis.
The virus left Paul, previously fit and healthy, unable to walk and struggling to breathe.
He suffered many of the tell-tale Covid symptoms including shortness of breath and profuse sweating
The area sales manager from Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, believed his ordeal was over, and slowly began the recovery process.
But he told Chroniclelive he tested positive after displaying coronavirus symptoms again.
He said: "I wasn’t surprised as I knew it was a possibility."
"What I didn’t know was that the second time round would be significantly worse. All of my previous symptoms returned along with a loss of appetite, chronic sickness and fatigue.
"When I was taken to hospital I was scared. I remember lying in bed thinking ‘this is it’. I have a wife, a daughter and my retirement ahead of me. I don’t want to go now.
"I was discharged to self-isolate at home for 10-days. It was horrendous. My symptoms were relentless."
He added: "Thanks to my daughter, my wife and I are recovering from Covid but it’s a painstakingly slow process.
"Covid doesn’t care if you are a good or bad person. It’s not bothered if you’re fit, unfit, a mum, dad, brother or sister, the best friend ever; it’s ruthless. Like it or not it chooses you. It’s non-negotiable. All you can do is remain positive.
"I’ve been to hospital with Covid twice and hopefully no more - I don’t think I’d survive a third time.
"We need to look after each other, be kind, take nothing for granted and embrace life. Lockdown is easing but Covid is still in our communities. We need to remain vigilant to save lives."
Doctors are unsure how common it is to suffer coronavirus twice.
It is unclear if it is reinfection, or reactivation of the virus, according to the British Medical Journal.
