What Not to Do After Positive COVID Test UK — Symptoms of Omicron

Yes, I have been tested positive for COVID. And I know it’s going to be very hard for me.

But still I have to make sure people around me are safe and I am taking care of myself too.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor neither I have any degree or expertise to suggest or recommend any treatment for COVID. I am just trying to share my story in this post.

Symptoms of Omicron

On Monday morning when I woke up I started feeling a bit of soreness in my throat.

I assumed because I had some chicken curry last night (chicken marinated with yogurt) thats why I have having this feeling.

Obviously I was wrong!

Then after finishing my morning exercise and taking my breakfast I started feeling a bit of a fever.

This was the point where I started doubting that it might be covid.

So, I started phoning my friends and family if they had any lateral flow test kits available.

Fortunately my brother had few available with him.

But by then I started getting:

1. Runny nose
2. Headache
3. Fatigue (mild or severe)
4. Sneezing
5. Sore throat

That’s when I realised that I have covid for sure. I did the lateral flow test twice.

And it was not a surprise, the results were positive.

Once your lateral test comes positive please don’t keep the information to yourself.

Let everyone you know about it. Specially people you have been in contact from last 1 week.

This is crucial because they all need to know. So that they can also do the test and get quarantine (self isolation) if needed.

I did the same. I called all my family and friends and informed them.

I called me gym instructor and friends who I have been in touch and informed them.

Book your RTPCR test with NHS

I jumped on the NHS website and booked my RTPCR test with NHS.

You will need:

1. Your Date of Birth
2. Your full name
3. Information about your vaccination
4. Your NHS number (optional)
5. Your Address
6. Your Address registered with your GP (optional)

Fortunately In my locality we had a drive through station where you could get your covid test done while you are sitting in your own car.

This was handy and quite impressive on NHS.

I got the appointment for next day morning.

Magical Pill THE PARACETAMOL

Now, as I mentioned before. I was feeling sore throat and fever.

So I decided to take over the counter paracetamol tablets (500mg)

Again: I am not suggesting you should take paracetamol. Please consult your doctor as everyone has different needs.

This helped me to cope up with the fever.

I also took some Strepsils, for my sore throat.

Combination of paracetamol and strepsils helped me with my consistent coughing and fever for 24 hours.

Next day early in the morning I went for my RTPCR covid test.

It was nice and well managed.

I just got inside the testing area.

Initially the NHS staff asked me the QR code for my booking.

Then they asked me if I would like to do:

1. Self Test
2. Assisted Test

I chose the assisted one. I just wanted it to be perfect so that I can get the treatment and get back to my normal life asap.

So, they redirected me to the assisted queue.

One of the NHS staff came to me by the window.

Took my swab from my throat and nose.

And thats it. I am done. I have been informed that I will get the results with in next 24 to 48 hours.

There was no information provided what to do or which medicines to take while you are waiting for your results.

I am waiting for my results. So if you want to know more what happens next please do follow me so that when I update this article you will get to know tomorrow.

How Long to Quarantine After Positive COVID Test

How Long Do I Need to Self Isolate if You Are a Contact of a Person Who Tested Positive for COVID-19

Well, as per the gove.uk website guidance on self isolation. Once you get to know that you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for covid.

The first thing you need to do is perform a lateral flow test at your home. Just to make sure you are not positive.

Then depending on the result. You can take actions.

For example, if you have been tested Negative.

Then you can just isolate yourself for 2 days and do another lateral test. If that comes negative too then you are good to go back to your normal life again.

If you have been tested Positive.

Then you must isolate yourself in a room, preferably an on suite with a bathroom attached to it.

Get your RTPCR test booked with NHS and keep isolating until you receive further instructions from NHS.

How Long Does It Take To Get a Negative COVID Test After Testing Positive.

Once you have been tested positive.

You have to quarantine yourself for 7 days (UK).

On the 6th day. Do your first lateral flow test again.

If it comes negative.

Then do another test on 7th day.

If that comes negative too then you can end your self isolation.

How Long Does COVID Last

Covid could last as long as 12 weeks.

Yes, I am not joking.

Most of the people feel better in a few days or weeks and in most cases covid positive patients will make a full recovery within 12 weeks.

But for some people, symptoms can last longer i.e., more than 3 months.

Although, if you take care of yourself properly. Then the recovery could be fast.

Some of the home remedies I followed myself was:

1. Drink a lot of warm water.
2. Keep my throat and nose cleaned.
3. Paracetamol was the only medication I was taking.
4. Include as much as I could garlic, ginger, red bell pepper and spinach in my daily food.
5. Keep eating Dry fruits twice a day. Small portions.
6. Keep drinking green tea after my meals.
7. Asked my mom to include turmeric in my meals while cooking.
8. Increase the amount of protein in my diet at least by 200 grams.
9. Eat at least 1 apple and 1 another fruit in a day.

Please do not eat or drink while recovering from COVID:

Following are some food I got informed from my friends who work in health industry to avoid while recovering from COVID.

​Fried foods

Photo by Ke Vin on Unsplash

​Alcohol & Sugary drinks

Alcohol is the worst enemy you could have while you are recovering from COVID.

Please avoid it in any case. It reduces your immune systems ability to fight with the virus as well as makes you more vulnerable.

Same for sugary drinks. Try to replace them with healthy drinks

Photo by Alex Meier on Unsplash

Packaged foods

Photo by Nico Smit on Unsplash