I Tested Positive for SARS-CoV-2

Yes, you read the correctly. Two weeks ago I tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes COVID-19.

I did not get COVID-19, which is to say I have not had flu or other respiratory symptoms.

December 25th, was formally the last day of my self-isolation, so I thought it would be a good time for an update.

Some background

On Friday, December 11th, I felt a bit of tightness in my throat and swollen lymph glands. This I would normally characterise as the first signs of a cold but these are not “normal” times.

In an abundance of caution, I took the rest of the day off work and self-isolated. I booked an appointment for COVID-19 testing, online.

On Tuesday, December 15th, I went for my test. I got a call from the hospital 24 hours later, letting me know that I had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2.

What’s in a Symptom?

Interestingly, I discovered that my throat tightness and swollen glands were strongly correlated to some persimmon fruit I bought on December 10th. Being one of my favourite fruits when I lived in Japan, I ate more than a couple that evening and another one the next morning. That’s when my symptoms started. When I stopped eating persimmon, the symptoms subsided. Ate more persimmon, symptoms came back.

By Sunday, December 13th I had two persimmons left and, for a final test, I waited a day. On Monday, I was again symptom free so, in the afternoon I ate both of them within a one-hour span. Sure enough, the symptoms came back.

On Wednesday morning I got a call from the hospital telling me my test came back positive. I discussed my observations and they agreed that my symptoms were likely an allergic reaction to the persimmon. They decided to classify my case as “asymptomatic”.

The Toronto Health Board also agreed that my symptoms were more likely an allergic reaction to the fruit than a COVID-19 symptom. Nonetheless, my test for the virus was positive and I was required to self-isolate.

How am I feeling now?

Thanks for asking! I feel great, actually, and have remained asymptomatic.

So why didn’t I get sick?

The short answer is that I am not prone to getting a cold or the flu. That doesn’t mean I never get it but when I do, the symptoms are usually mild and I quickly recover. Not always, but most of the time. 80% of the people that contract SARS-CoV-2 are either asymptomatic (like me) or only have mild flu symptoms.

The other 20% have some degree of comorbidity, the big ones being hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory issues. I have maintained from the beginning of this pandemic that, if you want to stay safe, don’t be one of the people in that 20% group.

Anyone who has been listening to me for that last 20 years knows that I consider hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases relatively easy fixes. Just stop eating the junk. Well, the other part is eating nutrient-dense foods and supplementing where necessary. So if you want to tip the scale in your favour, start with that.

I have a long list of nutrients that I supplement—some as “cheap insurance” and some because I know I’m not getting enough in my diet. But for most people my COVID-19 Cocktail is a good starting point.

Anyway, the biggest problem for me in isolation has been physical inactivity, so I’m looking forward to getting back into my normal routine.

Don't Forget...

• keep your hands clean/sanitised
• don't touch your face without first cleaning/sanitising
• practise physical distancing
• completely cover your coughs and sneezes
• and finally, wear mask!!!