I caught COVID again.
Since my last infection was in August 2022, it's been two and a half years since my last bout.

I wear a mask every time I go out, but even so, I still get infected ...

When I had it last time, the throat pain was too severe, and it was really tough, so based on that experience, I wrote down as many countermeasures as possible.

Last time's situation ↓

Symptoms

Day 1

Right from the morning, I felt a subtle discomfort in my shoulders. It felt more like joint pain than muscle pain.
I had a temperature of 36.8°C, so I went to the hospital in the morning, visited a nearby park, McDonald's, and Nishimatsuya.

After returning home, I felt a slight worsening of my condition, but since I needed to drive later, I reluctantly went out.

I decorated my wife’s family home for Hina Matsuri, filled up the car with gasoline, and went grocery shopping on the way back.
By the time I was shopping, joint pain had spread throughout my body, and I was too fatigued to stay in the car.

When I got home and took my temperature, it was 38.4°C.

Since I had joint pain, I thought there was a possibility it might be the flu or COVID, so I isolated myself in my room.

It was painful all over, so I took Calonal and lay down.
After about 30 minutes to an hour, it started to take effect, and my body began to feel warm, and the joint pain subsided.

I wanted to go to the hospital, but unfortunately, it was the first day of a three-day weekend, and the hospital wouldn't open for another three days.

Day 2

The joint pain was gone compared to Day 1, but there was still some occasional discomfort.
I had severe nasal congestion, and I started experiencing headaches similar to sinusitis.

I remembered I had some leftover COVID test kits from ages ago, so I used one and it turned out positive.
From here on, I began a complete isolation living in my room.

It wasn't as tough as Day 1, but my temperature rose to about 39.4°C.
I tried not to interfere with my body fighting the infection too much, but since I figured prolonged high temperature could damage my brain, I went through a cycle of taking Calonal to reduce my fever a couple of times.

My throat started to feel slightly sore, so I implemented as many countermeasures as possible.

1. Increased humidity to 60% with a humidifier.
2. Avoided eating spicy or hard foods.
3. Used a throat-masking mask at bedtime to provide extra humidity around my mouth.
4. Drank honey ginger lemon.
5. Consciously breathed through my nose.

Day 3

Thanks to my measures, the sore throat didn't worsen, so I felt relieved.

The joint pain improved even further, but my temperature fluctuated between 36°C to 38°C,
whenever I felt a headache, my temperature tended to rise.

Since I have allergic rhinitis, I'm prone to developing sinusitis.
I could feel the bad nasal discharge collecting in my sinuses, which was causing the headaches.
If this bad discharge trickles down my throat, it causes inflammation and leads to a sore throat, along with phlegm buildup.
If I desperately try to cough out the phlegm, it ends up hurting my throat even more, and eventually, I can't stop coughing. This pattern often leads me into whooping cough.

I think I've come to understand my body quite well.

I try to blow my nose to get rid of the bad nasal discharge as much as possible, avoiding letting it trickle down my throat. (For example, the moment the nasal congestion clears up)
I don't force out the phlegm. I tolerate it to some extent.

This will lead to victory.

Day 4

The three-day weekend came to an end.

Today, the sore throat wasn't too bad. (Just slightly painful)

I debated whether to work, but since my fever subsided and there was no joint pain, I started my normal work routine (fully remote).
I was slightly worried about speaking damaging my throat, but by the end of the day, it recovered enough that it wasn't a problem.

Phlegm began to accumulate, leading to coughs.
I felt a sense of having hurt my throat a couple of times when I forcibly coughed out some larger phlegm that was stuck in my throat.
Did I overdo it...? I took Calonal just in case to alleviate inflammation before going to sleep.

Additionally, for some reason, my back had been hurting the whole time, right in the middle?
Upon researching it, I found some information suggesting it could be a part of COVID after-effects.

I also experienced symptoms resembling brain fog, with my head feeling foggy, making it difficult to express words.
I wondered if my speaking had gotten worse.

Day 5

My throat was in much the same condition as the previous day.

The back pain remained. It felt similar to joint pain or growing pains.
Not only in my back but also in my neck, I experienced similar pain.

Since yesterday, it hasn't gotten worse, but I felt a bit off.

My temperature was about 36.9 to 37.2°C.

Like the previous day, I had a lot of phlegm. It was difficult, so I expelled it. The throat seemed to be alright.

Day 6

The joint pain shifted to my lower back, so I took Calonal to finish it off.
After that, the joint pain disappeared, and I was in a situation where I could say I was almost completely healed.

I started to have a dry cough, but it wasn't at a level that impacted my daily life.

Day 7

Only a dry cough remained.
The brain fog seemed to have cleared, maybe.
COVID is over.

Things I Noticed

Throat pain can be prevented.
This is a great discovery.

Additionally, food is important.
If I indulge and eat unhealthy things, I tend to suffer the consequences.
By the way, during this COVID period, I lost 3kg.
I believe this was due to eating less than usual and not consuming any snacks.

Overall, I'm glad I recovered smoothly this time.