I was mildly sick for a few days w/ covid symptoms. Then my 29 yr old healthy boyfriend got really sick. 13 days later, after a relentless fever, awful nausea, pneumonia in both lungs + a reluctant trip to ER, he is finally turning a corner today. Some things I learned:

We tried our absolute best not to clog the health care system too much. We did not seek testing, and even the ER doc didnt bother testing my bf, just said it was obvious he had it. Doctors are also learning about the virus in real time, so learning to cope at home is key.

As a caretaker, I recommend keeping an hourly log of fever/symptoms, time medication was taken, food eaten. When you talk to a primary care doc, bring as much concrete info as you can. They dont have much time to spare right now.

I kept 2 hospital to-go bags on our door every night for last 2 weeks, 1 for me to take him (since no visitors are allowed in hospitals right now) and 1 for him to stay the night. We decided we would only go to ER if he couldnt walk across the room without gasping for breath.

When he started to deteriorate at the 1 week mark -throwing up pills and pretty much stopped talking, eating, drinking, we went to an urgent care. Better 1st option than ER if you are not in critical condition. Docs there found pneumonia on an Xray, told us to go to ER.

Here's the regimen that worked for him: Tylenol extra strength every 5-6ish hours, prescription anti-nausea + cough medicine, pulse oximeter to check oxygen levels at home, Pedialyte for hydration. Z-pack for pneumonia has helped. Congee is good for nausea.

If you are sick or are taking care of a sick person, please DM/email and I can share more advice. Bad cases can take 2+ weeks if not longer, so don't despair if you are in the middle of it. (Also, tip all delivery people outrageously well.)

After 7+ years and lots of flus, colds and viruses together, I’ve never seen him even close to this sick. But he weirdly still managed to look brooding/handsome at one of our lowest moments, so that’s something.

Thanks everyone for the very kind words. Answering a few Qs: his hospital bag had change of clothes, medicine, snacks, phone charger, mask/gloves. Vicks in shower + humidifier also helping w/ cough. My symptoms were aches, low fever, cough + couldn't taste a thing.