Taking antibiotic did not help to reduce fever and failed to improve my condition. Three doses of antibiotics later, on the 28th of March, my fever was around 40.0°C/104°F and then antipyretics suddenly stopped working — I tried different doses of paracetamol either alone or in combination with different doses of ibuprofen — no result. My cough worsened to the point that after a cough attack, which now happened also during the day, I could not breathe normally. Getting up from bed was close to impossible. Fever remained constant at 40.0°C/104°F.
Four doses of antibiotics later, on the 29th of March, I called the ambulance. Two major questions represented the most interest for paramedics: (1) do I already take antibiotics? and (2) what is my blood oxygen saturation? This time I did not disappoint them – blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) maxed out at 88%. My blood pressure was high (blood was “boiling” at around 40.0°C/104°F for the whole week). “You will come with us” — they told, I managed somehow to get up from bed, I barely could stand and then proceeded to the ambulance car. In the car, I got the oxygen mask connected to a gas reservoir and only after a paramedic used the pressure reducer to adjust the high-flow oxygen level I got a slight relief.
Next stop – Centre of Emergency Medicine. Oxygen mask, multiple vein and artery blood sampling complemented with intravenous cannula insertion. My blood tests confirmed my state, including: (1) muscle damage; (2) changes in pressure within heart compartment; (3) inflammation; (4) low level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D; (5) elevated ferritin level; and (5) thrombosis danger. The cannula then was used for dexamethasone injection (at around 13:30). Next, computed tomography (CT) scan — the “doughnut” scan. Couple hours of waiting... Then, I called the doctor and asked what was the diagnosis and the prognosis. He told that according to CT scan my lungs’ damage extent was 60–70% (opaqueness without fluid) — in other words, I had an unclassified bilateral viral pneumonia. He then added: “If you had come tomorrow, it might be too late for you”. That triggered mixed feelings in me...
To be continued ...