Aftermath of testing positive for Covid-19
“Nothing tastes or smells the same again” - Pretoria residents share their experience of recovering from Covid-19 and its lasting effects.
After having tested positive for Covid-19, some Pretoria residents say their road to recovery has been long and slow – with remaining symptoms that have impact on their daily lives.
Angelique Botha (33), who lives in the Moot, said she tested positive for Covid-19 in September last year.
Angelique Botha. Photo: Facebook
She said her illness left her with lasting side effects that she still could not shake.
“To this day, I still can’t smell or taste. I can tell whether the food I am eating is savoury, sweet or sour, but I cannot taste flavours,” she said.
“The only time I can smell something is when it has a sharp chemical-like smell.
“My doctor tells me there is nothing they can do about that, and all I can do is wait and see if my taste and smell returns.”
Botha said apart from the loss of her senses, she also suffered “chronic fatigue”.
“I still get this so-called ‘brain-fog’. It makes everything foggy and it is very hard to focus.”
Botha said after she tested positive for Covid-19 last year, her symptoms were “not too serious”.
“I had vertigo for nearly two months, but recovered from the worst of my other symptoms after two weeks.”
Sharing a similar experience with Botha, was Megan van Wyk from Centurion.
“It has almost been a year since I tested positive. My taste and smell took three months to return and when it did, nothing tasted the same as it used to,” said Van Wyk.
“Till this day, I am struggling with my breathing. I have to breathe from my mouth mostly and am out of breath a lot.”
Van Wyk said some days were worse than others.
“This past week I had a bad week again and struggled finishing sentences without stopping and breathing,” Van Wyk said on Saturday.
“I struggled to keep my mouth closed for 10 seconds at a time without feeling like I cannot breathe.
“I am scared to exercise as I know my lungs cannot handle it. I have never had lung or chest problems before. The aftermath of Covid is just terrible.”
*Please note the article has been amended.
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