Age: 48.0
Sex: F
Vaccine: COVID19-2
Symptoms: Nasopharyngitis, Oropharyngeal pain, SARS-CoV-2 test positive, Stress, Swelling
Clinical narrative: I began having acid reflux in around September 2020. I was then prescribed omeprazole, but the symptoms went away before I started taking the medicine, so I never took it. The reflux then returned in around November 2022. I had acid reflux for about a month. It was fairly constant, but I would occasionally get a brief respite from it. I saw my doctor around the end of November or early December 2022.  At that time, I had a swollen circle on the central area of the ribcage that was caused by inflammation, plus a swelling in the upper abdomen that wrapped itself beneath the sternum that was sort of like a tire wrapped around my abdomen. These symptoms were accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms, such as burping, gurgling, and reflux. My doctor advised me to take omeprazole for four weeks, but I ended up taking it for only two, because at that point, I began vomiting. When I began vomiting, I ceased taking the omeprazole. My doctor then advised me to try taking H-blockers, so I took OTC Pepcid, but within hours of taking the first dose, I had an anxiety attack. I took some time off from the winter holidays, and my symptoms subsided quickly thereafter. I was able to eat and drink normally. I wondered if the PPI's I had taken had had a delayed response and were helping me. In January 2023, I underwent the H. pylori breath test, and the result was negative. Around 2/16/2023, the acid reflux returned. It was intermittent, because I was taking antacids after meals. Some times were worse than others. The reflux would subside for a few days when I took the antacids and adjusted my diet a bit. I went abroad on 3/19/2023 to go visit family and a friend who had recently been diagnosed with cancer. Around 3/13/2023, my abdominal inflammation and reflux returned, and I wondered if it was due to the stress I was under, When I made it to my destination, I got some Gaviscon Advance immediately, and the symptoms subsided around 3/25/2023. I returned on 4/2/2023. At the time of this writing, I haven't noticed any gastrointestinal symptoms returning, though I expect them to at some point. It's now been well over a week since I last took the Gaviscon Advance. I plan to ask my PCP if she will refer me to a gastroenterologist for further examination. On 3/30/2023, I began to get a sore throat and to feel tired. I took a lateral flow test on 4/1/2023 and got a negative result. I thought I just had a cold, as my mother had the same symptoms and had tested negative for COVID-19. On 4/3/2023, I took both a PCR test and a lateral flow test, and I got a positive result on both. I took another test this morning, and the result was again positive. At the time of this writing, my COVID-19 symptoms are mild. I just feel like I have the remnants of a bad cold. I also have experienced loss of taste and smell, but they seem to be gradually returning. I am currently day 8, and the worst symptoms were on day 6. I had an intense headache that felt really inflamed; the headache lasted all day on 4/4/2023, and the paracetamol I took didn't really help. I have notified my doctor that I have COVID-19. A health official who called me on 4/5/2023 indicated that it was too late for me to take any antivirals. I was then given guidelines for masking and isolation. I am due to see my PCP later today, so I plan to ask her what I should do regarding both my acid reflux and my COVID-19.