Covid-19: Far More Dire Than the Flu

I am surprised by this question as 4 million people worldwide have died from Covid-19 so far. The chances of Covid-19 leading to hospitalisation and death is higher than the Flu. Additionally, it is more contagious than the Flu.

My Personal Experience

I am currently recovering from Covid-19. My partner and I caught it at the same time despite both of us working from home rarely going out and always wearing masks when we did. His symptoms were very mild and cleared up quickly while mine, according to the physician treating me, were “classic.” Except that instead of lasting two weeks, my symptoms lasted two months and counting.

Death Rates and Long-term Effects

Most people are aware of the relatively high death rates from Covid-19. Many have heard about the “long Covid” sufferers who continue to be sick or have permanent tissue damage, as well as those who’ve experienced “cytokine storms” and other auto-immune responses. But very few understand how truly harrowing “normal” Covid-19 can be.

Exploring the Severity of Symptoms

Before I was stricken with Covid-19, I had only the tiniest inkling of how severe it could be. I assumed anyone talking about horrific symptoms were “acute” cases. But no. Covid-19 has been orders of magnitude worse than any illness I’ve ever experienced, and that includes treatment for cancer. On my worst day, I could not lift my head or speak above a whisper. My partner was on the phone with my doctor that day while I gave a thumbs up or down in response to his questions. We all wondered if maybe I should be in hospital, but in fact, my fever was moderating, and my wheezing was under control. I was actually better when it came to my breathing issues. But the breathing was not the worst part of it.

The Most Challenging Part: Fatigue

For me and for many, the most challenging part of “Covid-19” is the deep, debilitating fatigue that accompanies it. And unless you’ve experienced it, it’s just not possible to comprehend it. Especially if you’re someone who naturally has high energy. Sometimes it was more than I could do to open my eyes, which became extraordinarily light sensitive, so I would just lie there in the dark wondering when it would finally get better.

Recovery and Resilience

It took two months, but I’ve improved significantly. The deep fatigue is gone, and my fever finally broke after week six. I’m still using a puffer to help with breathing and I still have to moderate how much I do not just physical labour but “cognitive labour” too. I still can’t walk outside when it’s cold without wheezing and coughing uncontrollably, and I’m still taking painkillers. But all that is so much better than how I’ve been feeling that I hardly notice it. It’s such a relief to feel human again.

Comparison with Seasonal Flu

Is Covid-19 worse than seasonal flu? Yes, significantly worse. The mortality rates are frightening in and of themselves, but the severity and persistence of the fatigue and the unpredictability of symptoms add a harrowing layer of surreal unpredictability.

Think of it this way: much like in gambling, you just don’t know what cards you’ll be dealt. Many of the cards are pretty much “get out of jail free,” basically a few sniffles, and you’re done. But other cards out of nowhere are harsh beyond comprehension for something that we call a “cold.”

Conclusion

Anyway, in a nutshell: Covid-19 is freaking scary and the worst part aside from the possibility of dying is not knowing if you’ll experience a very mild version of it or if you’ll be one of the people who might end up with chronic fatigue and permanent damage to lungs or other organs. That’s not a bet anyone should be indifferent to. Covid-19 is no joke.