How Can the Healthiest Man on the Plant Become Infected with the Pandemic Virus?

I have always considered myself to be the healthiest man in any room I walk into. By all measures, I should never have been infected. But that horse has left the barn.

How did I get infected? I have no earthly idea. I had gone back over the three to five days before symptoms appeared (coughing, mainly), trying to figure where that viral transmission to my body could have happened. Regardless, my first symptom, a cough, appeared on the morning of the last day of August following the next day by a bit of fatigue.

I do not remember much of the first few days. I self-medicated on cough syrup to counter the nasal drip and cough. I double and triple-checked the symptoms of colds, influenza, and coronavirus – concentrating on the Delta variant. After losing two days to drug-induced sleep and/or fatigue, my wife got a cough.

She spent almost an hour on the phone calling various places near us to get a COVID-19 test. The earliest test was available in a week. Another had one that day (maybe) for $139. They might work us in within the next 24-48 hours – no guarantees.

We drove by our local pharmacies, and they could not test us because they were out of testing materials. We checked on home test kits, and they were gone with no idea when they would be available. The next day we drove to Walmart and Target and found zilch, zero, nada. Everyone was happy to give us a vaccine, but no one could offer us a coronavirus test.

Saturday, the following day, was the turning point for us. I awoke with significant pain in my hip joints. This was no longer a common cold; it was most likely COVID-19. We drove to our local Urgent Care facility, and they did a viral test for 26 different viruses as part of the Emergency Room treatment/assessment.

The doctor told us that we were being consulted for Regeneron monoclonal antibody treatment and could possibly be scheduled the next day. If our tests came back negative, we could cancel the infusion. Our test did come back positive for COVID-19. We would get the infusion within 24 hours. The next morning we were scheduled for monoclonal antibody treatment at 3:30 p.m. Sunday in the Texas Medical Center.

We got down there thirty minutes early and spent the next thirty-five minutes wandering around various buildings in the Medical Complex until we finally found the right place. Upon leaving, we discovered that we were probably fifty feet from our car. My hip joints were screaming off the hinges by the time we got to the infusion center. Thirty minutes later, the infusion was done. We remained an hour under observation in case we had any reaction to the drugs.

Upon leaving, we were told of the ‘shortcut’ to the parking lot. Fifty to sixty feet later, we were in our vehicle. I wish I had known where to go when we arrived. It would have saved me a lot of pain and frustration. Regardless, the walking was over, and we were headed home. Within twelve hours of walking into the Urgent Care facility, we received the monoclonal antibody treatment and drove back home.

Twenty-four hours later, I could tell something had happened. It was not a light switch event, but it was enough to know that something was working. Thirty-six hours after the infusion, my body was responding nicely – the antibodies were kicking viral butt. Forty-eight hours after the Regeneron treatment, I felt like I had a new lease on life.

Each day since has seen incremental improvement. Daily naps have become the norm until recently. Coughing is still a periodic reminder of the virus. Fatigue is waning daily. Focus is returning.

Conclusion

My wife and I had a mild case – a cough and fatigue. This viral experience is now in the top five health issues that I have had over the decades. The worst was a week with strep throat in the early ‘70s. I do not think anything can compare with that bacterial infection's pain, intensity, and discomfort.

My gall bladder pain was more intense but lasted one day. Mononucleosis (the mid-60s) left my body weakened for almost two weeks and the fatigue compared to coronavirus.

I expect to return to regular activity quickly with newly acquired natural immunity to the pandemic virus (and most variants). It has been nineteen days since the first symptom appeared. Most reports of people who had the mild edition of COVID-19 told me that two weeks after their mandatory isolation, they considered themselves at 90% or better.

I research and take action to keep my immune system as strong as it can be. After completing seventy-five trips around the sun, I must possess a robust and healthy body to fight future infections. I have never had a seasonal influenza shot (and do not intend to start). I have never had the flu. I am not vaccine adverse – check my shot record with the Navy! The anthrax series, Japanese encephalitis, and another series of something were administered during my last two years in the Navy.

I keep my immune system primed to fight anything coming my way. I do a three-day fast monthly to reset my immune system. I stay hydrated, eat properly, exercise, get quality sleep nightly, reduce stress daily, and more.

We protect ourselves against the coronavirus by the standard self-protection options as well as increased zinc, vitamin D3, and a daily dose of a nasal spray with grapefruit seed extract and xylitol. Those last three daily choices prevent/reduce the ability of the coronavirus spike to find a comfortable home in the ACE2 receptor cells.

I have concerns about the rapidity of the COVID-19 vaccine development and wanted to wait a reasonable period before making an educated assessment as to efficacy and safety to get the vaccine, or not. Most likely, I would have gotten the single-dose viral vector option rather than the mRNA versions. September was my decision month to get a vaccine. I have opined about that many times over the past months. However, with naturally acquired immunity, that option is no longer under consideration.

As we get older, our immune systems are not as efficient. Yet, it is our primary defense against any disease. Even with a vaccine, you must keep your immune system functioning at optimal levels. The vaccine does not prevent you from getting the virus. However, it reduces the severity of symptoms, keeping you out of the hospital and reducing your personal mortality risk.

We did not dodge a bullet, but we did dodge severe symptoms and an extended stay in a hospital that many others of our age have experienced.

Live Longer & Enjoy Life! – Red O’Laughlin – RedOLaughlin.com

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