The coronavirus is a dangerous disease – even for young people! The British kindergarten teacher Jade Townsend now talks about her months of fighting the virus.
When Jade Townsend became infected with the coronavirus in mid-March, she was sure that she would have been through the worst within a few weeks. But then everything turned out differently. The story of a long ordeal.
How Jade Townsend recognized the coronavirus
Actually, the 22-year-old, fairly fit kindergarten teacher from Oxford, Great Britain, does not belong to the coronavirus risk group defined by the World Health Organization. An initially mild infection seemed harmless to her at first, but when she felt a bad sore throat and a tightness in her chest after four weeks, she could hardly breathe. It was then that she realized that "mild illness" is anything but easy.
Every movement means hellish pain
Diagnosis: Covid-19. But while other patients usually suffer from the novel virus for around 14 days, Jade Townsend is one of those people who have to struggle with a long-term corona infection and its consequences. The symptoms are frightening: Severe fatigue, severe muscle pain, nausea, and recurrent fever. On some days the kindergarten teacher just can't get out of bed, every movement triggers hellish pain.
A study by King's College London now shows that Jade Townsend is not alone with this diagnosis: out of 20 people who have been infected with the coronavirus, at least one patient suffers from symptoms of the virus for eight weeks or more. In addition, ten percent of 18-49 year olds are affected by a long-term Covid infection. The reasons for this are not yet known.
Fatigue, headache, nausea, brain fog, fever, fast heart rate
In an emotional video from the "Ministry of Health and Social Welfare", Jade Townsend now draws attention to the risks of corona infection. "I never expected it to be as bad as it was. But after a month of symptoms, I found it difficult to breathe, and in April I ended up staying in the hospital where I was given fluids and antibiotics," says the kindergarten teacher. "Eight months later, I know that I am suffering from what is called 'long covid'," she continues. "I suffer from extreme fatigue, headaches, nausea, brain fog, recurrent fever and a fast heart rate. Pulmonary function tests show that my airways are damaged by the virus, and I have to go to Covid clinics regularly. I only landed again last week in the hospital because my blood clotting levels increased. "
Kindergarten teacher becomes unemployed due to corona infection
With her story, she wants to make it clear to other young people how dangerous Covid-19 actually is. "I'm only 22 years old and my life has completely changed. I haven't been able to work since March, and while I was always out with my friends before, I now have to plan everything carefully," she says. "For example, when I visit a friend, I know that I will not be able to go out the next day – the tiredness will simply be too great. Every day is different, but some days I find it difficult to move at all because I have pain all over my body. I don't look sick on the outside, but on the inside I struggle to cope with it. "
"Nobody is risk free!"
Your appeal: be considerate, the situation is serious! "The scariest thing about it is not knowing when this will end or if it will end at all," says the kindergarten teacher. "To everyone who thinks they don't have to be careful, please – it can affect anyone at any age, no one is risk-free!"
Sources used:Tyla.com, Instagram