Viral Illness Survey Case Summaries: No Lung Issues Without High Fever
May 11, 2020
By Lisa Petrison, Ph.D.
This page provides a summary of the case reports from some of the first individuals to respond to the Paradigm Change Coronavirus Covid-19 and Viral Illness Survey.
Individuals included on this page are those who reported that they had no lung symptoms and also did not have a high fever (defined as 100F or greater).
Patient summaries are arranged in chronological order by illness onset date. Patients with onset dates prior to December 1, 2019, are listed in the “Earlier Cases” section at the bottom of the page.
An overview of the initial summary results is provided on a separate Paradigm Change blog page.
Overview
Number of cases: 5
Average Severity Score: 33
Severity Score Range: 14-55
Recovery Status (21+ Days):
5 cases
20% – Mostly recovered
40% – Somewhat recovered
20% – Not recovered but seems stable
20% – Acute viral-type symptoms basically resolved but chronic illness issues are worse
Illness Onset:
20% – January 2019
40% – February 2019
40% – March 2019
Chronic Illness History (ME/CFS/CIRS/Lyme/etc.):
40% – Severe
40% – Moderate
20% – Mild
Severe Symptoms:
Headache, 80%; Tiredness, 80%; Generally feel terrible, 60%; Sore throat, 40%; Dehydration, 40%; Muscle aches, 40%; Pain when moving body parts, 40%; Weakness, 40%; Sleepiness, 40%; Diarrhea, 20%; Feverish feelings, 20%; Chills, 20%; Bone pain, 20%; Joint pain, 20%; Runny nose, 20%
Moderate or Severe Symptoms:
Headache, 100%; Tiredness, 100%; Generally feel terrible, 100%; Weakness, 80%; Sleepiness, 80%; Sore throat, 60%; Nausea, 60%; Loss of appetite, 60%; Muscle aches, 60%; Pain when moving body parts, 60%; Dehydration, 40%; Abdominal pain, 40%; Feverish feelings, 40%; Bone pain, 40%; Joint pain, 40%; Runny nose, 40%; Diarrhea, 20%; Loss of smell, 20%; Elevated temperature, 20%; Chills, 20%
Mild, Moderate or Severe Symptoms:
Headache, 100%; Sore throat, 100%; Nausea, 100%; Loss of appetite, 100%: Muscle aches, 100%; Weakness, 100%; Tiredness, 100%; Generally feel terrible, 100%; Feverish feelings, 80%; Pain when moving body parts, 80%; Runny nose, 80%; Sleepiness, 80%; Dehydration, 60%; Abdominal pain, 60%; Chills, 60%; Joint pain, 60%; Sneezing, 60%; Difficulties swallowing, 40%; Sore voice, 40%; Diarrhea, 40%; Elevated temperature, 40%; Bone pain, 40%; Loss of smell, 20%; Loss of taste, 20%
Kevin
Patient Number: 25
Current Condition: I feel mostly recovered
Severity Score: 55
Time Since Onset: 70 days
Onset Location: Los Angeles, CA
Chronic Illness History: Mild
Mold Avoidance: Yes
Onset Date: 1/15/20
Lung Severity: None
High Fever: 99-100 F (usually normal)
Bedridden During Illness: Not bedridden but slept a great deal
Relapse: I’m not sure
Duration: Very severe – 1; Severe – 5; Moderate – 4
Initial Symptom: Myalgia; Low-grade fever (99.9-100.1F); Fatigue; Severe shoulder pain with accumulation of fluid (confirmed by MRI)
Very Severe Symptoms: Feverish feelings; Chills; Muscle aches; Joint pain; Pain when moving body parts
Severe Symptoms: Dehydration; Diarrhea; Bone pain; Weakness; Tiredness; Sleepiness; Generally feeling terrible
Moderate Symptoms: Headache; Sore/painful throat; Nausea; Loss of appetite; Abdominal pain; Elevated temperature
Mild Symptoms: Difficulties swallowing; Sneezing
Not An Issue: Sore voice; Vomiting; Loss of smell; Loss of taste; Blue lips or face; Runny/stuffy nose
Suspect Illness (compared to colds/flus): More severe, harder to get over
Practitioner: Saw a practitioner. They were not certain. They thought it was an infusion reaction (infliximab) but the symptoms did not match the typical profile. It was like a flu + infusion reaction. I recovered on my own with rest, fluids, pain medication. I was in the ER for one day.
Decade Born: 1970’s
Gender: Male
Living: Condominium
Previous Colds/Flus: One or two per year
Blood Pressure: Normal (no medicine)
Chronic Conditions: ADD/ADH, IBD
Worst Neurological: Mild
ME/CFS: Mild – Headaches, Muscle/Joint Pain, Unrefreshing Sleep; Not a Problem: PEM, Cognitive, OI, Sensitivities
Most severe activity level: Could be active 40 hours
Recent activity level: Could be active 40 hours
Mold Avoidance: Made big effort, not sure if helped
Mold Avoidance Skill: Fairly good
Mold Exposure: Mostly clear
HH Member #1: 1970’s; None; Moderately severe illness with lung symptoms
Cathy
Patient Number: 36
Current Condition: I don’t feel any better but the situation feels like it is stable.
Severity Score: 31
Time Since Onset: 61 days
Onset Location: San Diego, CA
Prior Locations: New York, NY
Chronic Illness History: Severe
Mold Avoidance: Yes
Onset Date: 2/2/20
Lung Severity: No lung symptoms
High Fever: Not an issue
Bedridden: Mostly bedridden
Relapse: I have not yet experienced improvements
Duration: Moderate – 4-6 weeks; Mild- 2 weeks
Initial Symptom: Sore throat; Ear pain; Enlarged lymph nodes in neck; Debilitating fatigue.
Very Severe Symptoms: Tiredness
Severe Symptoms: Headache; Sore/painful throat; Dehydration; Weakness; Sleepiness; Generally feeling terrible
Moderate Symptoms: Loss of appetite; Pain when moving body parts
Mild Symptoms: Sore voice; Nausea; Abdominal pain; Muscle aches; Runny/stuffy nose
Not An Issue: Difficulties swallowing; Diarrhea; Vomiting; Loss of smell; Loss of taste; Blue lips or face; Elevated temperature; Feverish feelings; Chills; Bone pain; Joint pain; Sneezing
Additional Symptoms: Hair loss; Blisters and erosions in back of throat that won’t go away; Persistent enlarged lymph nodes in neck; Persistent fatigue; Migraines; Symptoms persisting for 8 weeks
Suspect Illness (compared to colds/flus): Different symptoms, more severe, harder to get over
Practitioner: Saw a practitioner (Said “Viral illness, immune system suppressed”)
Decade Born: 1950’s
Gender: Female
Living: Hotel
Previous Colds/Flus: Rarely or never
Flu shot: Definitely not
Blood Pressure: Low (not taking medication)
Chronic Conditions: Chronic/Post Lyme; Fibromyalgia; Toxic Mold Illness
Worst Neurological: Moderately severe
ME/CFS: Severe – PEM, Muscle/Joint Pain, Unrefreshing Sleep; Moderate – Cognitive; Not A Problem – OI, Headaches, Sensitivities
Most severe activity level: Basically bedridden but could participate in conversations
Recent activity level: Could go out a few times a week
Mold Avoidance: Made a big effort, health improved a great deal
Mold Avoidance Skill: Fairly good
Mold Exposure: Very clear
HH Member #1: 1950’s; No chronic conditions; Moderate acute illness with lung issues
Medical treatment: IV Vitamin C drips; antiviral supplement; Vitamin C, A and D; Homeopathy
Critically Important: Rest; Stay out of moldy buildings
Very Helpful: Vitamin C
Somewhat Helpful: Vitamin A; Zinc; Curcumin; Electrolyte beverage; Ginger; Raw honey; Antifungal drugs (Diflucan); Acetaminophen; Cough drops; Bathe and change clothes frequently; Reduce stress; Spend time outdoors in good locations; Stay warm; Sun exposure; Take warm/hot baths; Gargling (salt water and peroxide; Nystatin swish and swallow); Rinsing sinuses (Baking soda and saline)
No Effect: Vitamin D; Selenium; No effect; Monolaurin; Probiotics; Onions; Azithromycin;
Harmful: Other antibiotic drugs (Pen v K); Ozone therapy (IV)
Don’t know: Vitamin E
Other helpful therapies: IV Vitamin C and magnesium
Marie-Therese
Patient Number: 55
Current Condition: I feel somewhat recovered
Severity Score: 29
Time Since Onset: 24 days
Onset Location: Maureillas las illas, France
Prior Locations: Algarve, Portugal, and Barcelona, Spain
Chronic Illness History: Moderate
Mold Avoidance: Somewhat
Onset Date: 2/27/20
Lung Severity: No lung symptoms
High Fever: Mildly problematic elevated temperature
Bedridden During Illness: Totally bedridden
Relapse: I got somewhat better but then had a substantial relapse. (More than twice, I thought I was almost done and it came back. Still have it after 3.5 weeks.)
Duration: Very severe – 6; Severe – 10; Moderate – 5; Mild illness – 3
Initial Symptom: Headache; URI and cold symptoms. Slight fever, body aches, seemed to change into sinus infection. Suspect mold infection from staying in moldy rooms.
Severe Symptoms: Headache; Runny/stuffy nose; Tiredness
Moderate Symptoms: Loss of smell; Weakness; Sleepiness; Generally feeling terrible
Mild Symptoms: Sore/painful throat; Sore voice; Feelings of nausea; Loss of appetite; Loss of taste; Elevated temperature; Feverish feelings; Chills; Muscle aches; Joint pain; Pain when moving body parts; Sneezing
Not An Issue: Difficulties with swallowing; Dehydration; Diarrhea; Vomiting; Abdominal pain; Blue lips or face; Bone pain
Suspect Illness (compared to colds/flus): More severe, harder to get over
Practitioner: I saw a practitioner. (I diagnosed myself with a sinus infection and doctor agreed, but I suspected a fungal infection so we are treating that first along with natural anti microbials because I don’t want to take antibiotics. Couldn’t get to see doctor until I’d had ut 3 weeks already so was treating myself naturally. In an antifungal now but it’s not cleared up totally.)
Decade Born: 1960’s
Gender: Female
Living: House
Previous Colds/Flus: Several per year
Blood Pressure: Normal (no medicine)
Chronic Conditions: ADD/ADHD; Autoimmune; Fibromyalgia; Food sensitivities; IBD; IBS; ME/CFS; MCAS; Toxic mold illness; Migraines; Tingling and numbness in legs; Insomnia
Worst Neurological: Moderate
ME/CFS: Very Severe – Headaches, Unrefreshing sleep, Sensitivities; Severe – Cognitive; Moderate – PEM, OI, Muscle/Joint Pain
Most severe activity level: Could be active for 20 hours a week
Recent activity level: Could work or be active for 20 hours a week
Mold Avoidance: Made a big effort, health stayed about the same
Mold Avoidance Skill: Extremely good
Mold Exposure: Not very clear
HH Member #1: 1954; No chronic health; Acute illness but without lung issues
Critically Important: Rest; Stay out of moldy buildings; Stay warm
Very Helpful: Melatonin; Reduce stress; Sun exposure; Rinsing sinuses
Somewhat Helpful: Curcumin; Ginger; Raw honey; Acetaminophen; Bathe and change clothes frequently; Spend time outdoors in good locations; Take warm/hot baths; Gargling; Salt pipe with iodine
No Effect: Cough syrup (prescription); Cough drops
Don’t know: Vitamin C (1000-4000 mg); Vitamin D; Iodine; Zinc (liquid zinc 4 mg); Elderberry; Oregano essential oil; Other essential oils; Garlic pills; Colloidal silver (sprayed in throat and drank); Monolaurin; Probiotics; Citrus fruits; MCT or coconut oil; Garlic; Onions; Antifungal drugs; Antiviral drugs; Cough syrup (non-prescription); Onion poultice
Other very helpful treatments: Inhaling steam with essential oils or ACV
Lonnie
Patient Number : 109
Current Condition: I feel somewhat recovered
Severity Score: 34
Time Since Onset: 22 days
Onset Location: Denver area
Chronic Illness History: Moderate
Mold Avoidance: Yes
Onset Date: 3/1/20
Lung Severity: Not a problem
High Fever: Not a problem/Lower than 99F (usually low)
Bedridden During Illness: Not really bedridden but slept a great deal
Relapse: I got somewhat better but then had a substantial relapse (had worsening of upper respiratory symptoms, severe headache, fatigue, body aches, loss of appetite)
Duration: Severe – 2 days; Moderate – 3 days; Mild – 12 days
Initial Symptom: Headache; Fatigue; Severe body aches; Upper respiratory congestion including drippy nose (that the news was saying at the time was not a symptom of Covid-19)
Severe Symptoms: Headache; Sore/painful throat; Muscle aches; Pain when moving body parts
Moderate Symptoms: Nausea; Loss of appetite; Feverish feelings; Bone pain; Joint pain; Runny/stuffy nose; Weakness; Tiredness; Generally feeling terrible
Mild Symptoms: Difficulty swallowing; Dehydration; Chills; Sneezing
Not An Issue: Sore voice; Diarrhea; Vomiting; Loss of smell; Loss of taste; Abdominal pain; Blue lips or face; Elevated temperature; Sleepiness
Suspect Illness (compared to colds/flus): Different symptoms, more severe, harder to get over
Practitioner: Not discussed (Doubt that would be able to help; No tests available unless you’d traveled to a hot spot)
Decade Born: 1970’s
Gender: Female
Living: House
Previous Colds/Flus: One or two per year
Blood Pressure: Normal (no medication)
Chronic Conditions: Food sensitivities; MCAS; Toxic mold illness
Worst Neurological: Moderate
ME/CFS: Severe – Unrefreshing sleep; Moderate – PEM, Cognitive, Sensitivities; Mild – Muscle/joint pain; Not A Problem – OI, Headaches
Most severe activity level: Could be active 50 hours a week
Recent activity level: Could be active 50 hours a week
Mold Avoidance: Big effort, health improved a great deal
Mold Avoidance Skill: Extremely good
Mold Exposure: Very clear
HH Member #1: 1970’s; Type II Diabetes; Moderate acute illness with lung issues
HH Member #2: 2010’s; None; No illness
Very Helpful: Vitamin C (6-10 g); Colloidal silver (2 tsp, 3x per day)
Somewhat Helpful: Vitamin A; Zinc (60 mg zinc picolinate)
No Effect: Echinacea; Elderberry; Probiotics
Don’t know: Vitamin D; Melatonin (3-6 mg at night); Monolaurin
Amber
Patient Number: 67
Current Condition: I feel basically recovered from the acute viral symptoms, but other chronic illness issues are worse. (Headaches; Lymph clogging in head and neck; Muscle aches; Fatigue in morning)
Severity Score: 14
Time Since Onset: 28 days
Onset Location: Tri-Cities Area, WA
Chronic Illness History: Severe
Mold Avoidance: Yes
Onset Date: 3/6/20
Lung Severity: No lung symptoms
High Fever: Not an issue
Bedridden: Mostly bedridden
Relapse: I felt like I was basically recovered but then had a substantial relapse
Duration: Moderate – 7 days; Mild – 3 days
Initial Symptom: Feverish in my head only; Bright red cheeks in evening; Diarrhea
Severe Symptoms: Headache; Tiredness; Generally feeling terrible
Moderate Symptoms: Nausea; Abdominal pain; Muscle aches; Sleepiness
Mild Symptoms: Sore/painful throat; Diarrhea; Loss of appetite; Feverish feelings; Runny/stuffy nose; Weakness
Not An Issue: Difficulties swallowing; Sore voice; Dehydration; Vomiting; Loss of smell; Loss of taste; Blue lips or face; Elevated temperature; Chills; Bone pain; Joint pain; Pain when moving body parts; Sneezing
Additional Symptoms: Clogged lymph ducts in neck and head upon waking
Suspect Illness (compared to colds/flus): Different symptoms, harder to get over
Practitioner: Discussed with practitioner. (We mainly discussed my children’s symptoms, which include lung symptoms in all four, as well as nausea in one. She did not rule out COVID-19 but also said it could possibly be influenza A and B together.)
Decade Born: 1980’s
Gender: Female
Living: Townhouse
Previous Colds/Flus: Rarely or never
Flu Shot: Definitely not
Blood Pressure: Normal (no medication)
Chronic Conditions: Asthma; ME/CFS; Toxic Mold Illness; Yeast infections
Worst Neurological: Moderate
ME/CFS: Very Severe – PEM, Headaches; Unrefreshing Sleep; Severe – Muscle/Joint Pain; Moderate – Cognitive, OI; Not A Problem – Sensitivities
Most severe activity level: Basically bedridden but could participate in conversations
Recent activity level: Could be active 60 hours per week
Mold Avoidance: Made big effort, improved a great deal
Mold Avoidance Skill: Very good
Mold Exposure: Mostly clear
HH Member #1: 2000’s; Mold related issues; Moderate acute illness with lung symptoms
HH Member #2: 2000’s; History of asthma and food allergies; Moderate acute illness with lung symptoms
HH Member #3: 2000’s; No chronic health issues; Moderate acute illness with lung symptoms
HH Member #4: 2010’s; Mold issues; Moderate acute illness with lung symptoms
HH Member #5: 1980’s; Depression, nerve pain, athlete’s foot; Acute illness without lung symptoms
Relapse: I had diarrhea and feverish symptoms for two days, then seemed completely fine. Then, about six days later, I had a day or so where I felt like I was coming down with an illness (muscle aches in my neck and shoulders, funny feeling in my throat), but it went away again. Two weeks after that, I felt similar illness symptoms (muscle aches) accompanied by difficulty sleeping, and waking in the morning with a piercing headache and clogged lymph nodes and feeling unrefreshed. That has lasted about a week so far.
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