A young woman has described her experience with Covid as the 'worst she has ever felt' after testing positive just days before Christmas.
Aditi Rane booked a booster appointment on December 21 and was feeling fine - but started to feel lethargic just days later.
It soon turned out she had contracted Covid-19, meaning she had to spend Christmas alone.
Her temperature then skyrocketed and she struggled to stay awake for longer than 30 minutes.
Writing a first-hand account for our sister site HullLive, Aditi described how her enforced isolation left her incredibly lonely.
She said: “Up until last week, I felt quite smug about the fact that I had made it through nearly two years of the pandemic without catching Covid.
“However, my bragging rights were quickly snatched away when I tested positive and proceeded to fall more ill than I have ever before in my life.
“Like many others across the UK, I caught Covid in the week leading up to Christmas and while it was terrifying and isolating, it has given me a whole new perspective on the matter.
“On Tuesday, December 21, I booked a booster shot appointment for myself. At the entry point, I diligently told the staff member that I did not have symptoms.
“I went in and got my vaccine and went about my day feeling just fine with a slight sore feeling in my arm.
“Given the fact that I lived alone, didn't need to be in the office due to restrictions, and the fact that there had been a national shortage on lateral flow tests, I had not taken a test in nearly a week-and-a-half.
“Two days later, I woke up feeling lethargic and groggy, I assumed it had to be the side effects of the booster jab.
“But, later in the day I felt quite feverish and promptly ordered myself a lateral flow test kit and a PCR test.
“I didn't think I had Covid as I always wore my mask in stores, I had not been around massive crowds of people and I still religiously disinfected my hands whenever I could.
“When the lateral flow test kit arrived the next day, I took it and expected it to be negative, but to my horror, two red lines appeared on the device.
“My partner was on the train to spend Christmas with me when I found out, I had to call him and tell him that he could no longer come and he needed to go home.
“I was also hoping to spend the following week with my family but I also had to cancel on them and come to terms with the fact that I would effectively be going into 2022 self-isolating.
“As a 24-year-old, I figured when I would inadvertently get Covid, like many of my friends my age, I would be fine and probably not even experience any symptoms, but I was very wrong.
“At its worst, my fever hit a high of 40.5°C, I could not stay awake for more than 30 minutes at a time but also struggled to sleep because of the body aches.
"I was constantly coughing to the point I could taste blood in my throat and I could not breathe through both my nostrils at any point.
“After just two days, I felt like I was at my lowest. Seeing people posting pictures of their Christmas meals and fun day with their families definitely didn't help either.
“However, while I was busy feeling sorry for myself, I later realised that at no point did I actually have to stop and genuinely worry for my life. I could reschedule plans for the later parts of January with certainty, knowing I would still be around.
“Given my age and general good health, I did not have to fear for my life like so many other people still do. Looking back, I would blame my own complacency for how bad my symptoms got.
“If I had regularly tested myself, I would've known I had Covid and never have gone to get a booster shot and my body would not have had such an adverse reaction.
“Regardless, while I continue to stay within the confinement of my home for the next week, I am grateful that I am able to clearly see the end in sight, because not everyone does.”
