What your symptoms were

Fortunately, the illness was not serious. I had a runny nose, but I was coughing violently. Later in the evening I developed a high fever. The whole night I felt drowsy, and my body hurt a lot as if I had undertaken a great amount of physical labour. I was feeling cold as well. I wrapped myself neatly in my quilt and somehow went to sleep.

How long the illness lasted and say how it affected your life at the time

The very next day I visited my family doctor and he told me that it was a common cold. He prescribed me some paracetamol and a cough syrup. The illness didn’t last long after that. I saw my health improving the very same day, the bodily pain was gone by the evening. The next day when I woke up my fever was milder, and my cough had become less frequent. I was feeling better. The fever lasted for three whole days and my cough was gone in a week. I missed my mother’s cooking a lot because all the food I had to eat was pretty bland.

Although I missed my camping trip due to the sudden illness my father promised to reschedule it. I look forward to going this time and I hope to not fall ill.

What your symptoms were

My symptoms included regular fever, violent coughing, and difficulty in breathing. Every time I took a paracetamol my fever subsided but in 8 hours or so it returned again. My whole body hurt, and I suffered from chest pains due to incessant coughing. I was prone to vomiting and didn’t feel like eating anything.

How long the illness lasted and say how it affected your life at the time

My illness lasted for about 12 days. The doctor said my immunity was rather strong, so I was able to fight better. I didn’t get a hospital bed because all of them were full. So, my treatment was administered from my home itself. A bunch of medicines were prescribed to me, and I took them religiously. I felt better after the medicines had run their course. My life had come to a standstill for those 12 days, I did nothing except lie down and eat. Every day I feared for my life because so many people were dying of the same disease that I had. Even after I got well, the weakness and all my symptoms fully subsided only after a month and half.

What your symptoms were

I had severe pain in my stomach so much that my father suspected appendicitis. I vomited all the street food. Even after drinking warm water and taking standard medicine I was feeling nauseous. Then loose motions began, and I was practically holed up in the bathroom. It felt like the beginning of a nightmare.

How long the illness lasted and say how it affected your life at the time

My family doctor arrived on a home visit. He diagnosed me with food poisoning and prescribed medicine. The next day I felt some relief because my loose motions were less frequent. The pain in my stomach had significantly lessened too. In two days, my symptoms subsided, and I was feeling better. Through this food poisoning episode, I learnt that I should be more cautious about my street food choices and eat at places with proper hygiene. I have decided to not be careless about the edibles from now on.