How to cope at home if you test positive for Covid-19 – doctors and a recovered patient offer advice about managing your symptoms

A Covid-19 sufferer describes the painful symptoms he experienced, and a family physician and a naturopath describe things to take to recover from the virus

These range from taking over-the-counter painkillers to getting more vitamin D from sunlight or supplements, maximising sleep and staying hydrated

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When the Post’s photo editor Yves Sieur got Covid-19 in February, he experienced a rockier ride than he expected, and for three days had a high fever and badly inflamed throat. Photo: Yves Sieur

Published: 8:15am, 5 Mar 2022Updated: 11:13am, 7 Mar 2022

When a PCR test confirmed Yves Sieur as positive for Covid-19 last month, Hong Kong’s Department of Health told him to go home, they’d call him. The Frenchman complied and returned to his boat at Aberdeen Marina and prepared to wait out the course of the disease.

Although double-vaccinated – he had his second shot in May last year and was due for a booster in March – it was a rockier ride than he expected, and for three days he had a high fever and inflamed throat.

“It was like a thousand needles in my throat, the pain went up to my ears. I couldn’t even swallow my saliva, I had to spit it out,” says Sieur, who has since recovered.

For Sieur, the Post’s photo editor, the most painful symptom was a very sore throat and for two days he couldn’t even drink water. Worried that he might become dangerously dehydrated, he called 999 and was put through to the ambulance service.

For two days Sieur couldn’t even drink water and worried that he might become dangerously dehydrated.

“I got through to a smart guy who said he could send an ambulance, but that if I could I should stay at home because everyone being dropped off at hospital was waiting outside, they weren’t getting in,” says Sieur.