kajunboots

I am a long-time lurker here who just got covid on Sunday, Feb. 12.  I am posting my experience in case it helps anyone, and then I have a couple of questions that others may be able to answer.  At 11 PM on Sunday, I experienced a brief moment of chills that seemed odd because I felt fine all day.  I planned to go to work on Monday, and thought I'd play it safe by testing.  Sure enough, I had covid.  Since then, my symptoms have been very mild and similar to a weak cold with minor sinus congestion—no fever, no cough, body aches, etc. I can breathe very easily through my nose. I did lose my sense of smell yesterday.  My doctor did not put me on Paxlovid because my symptoms were mild and responding to OTC cold medications.  
Here are my questions: How much longer will I test positive?  Today is Day 5 (or six if you count Sunday as Day 1), and I am still positive.  The T line really screams! Question 2: Is the loss of smell due to covid or allergies/concurrent cold?  We have an early spring here in DC, and things are blooming.  My symptoms have more in common with allergies or a cold. Should I be concerned if my loss of smell goes beyond a couple of days?  
Thanks to all who respond, and good luck to those recovering.  My sympathies go out to those who have lost friends or loved ones due to covid. 

I am a long-time lurker here who just got covid on Sunday, Feb. 12.  I am posting my experience in case it helps anyone, and then I have a couple of questions that others may be able to answer.  At 11 PM on Sunday, I experienced a brief moment of chills that seemed odd because I felt fine all day.  I planned to go to work on Monday, and thought I'd play it safe by testing.  Sure enough, I had covid.  Since then, my symptoms have been very mild and similar to a weak cold with minor sinus congestion—no fever, no cough, body aches, etc. I can breathe very easily through my nose. I did lose my sense of smell yesterday.  My doctor did not put me on Paxlovid because my symptoms were mild and responding to OTC cold medications.  
Here are my questions: How much longer will I test positive?  Today is Day 5 (or six if you count Sunday as Day 1), and I am still positive.  The T line really screams! Question 2: Is the loss of smell due to covid or allergies/concurrent cold?  We have an early spring here in DC, and things are blooming.  My symptoms have more in common with allergies or a cold. Should I be concerned if my loss of smell goes beyond a couple of days?  
Thanks to all who respond, and good luck to those recovering.  My sympathies go out to those who have lost friends or loved ones due to covid. 

I am a long-time lurker here who just got covid on Sunday, Feb. 12.  I am posting my experience in case it helps anyone, and then I have a couple of questions that others may be able to answer.  At 11 PM on Sunday, I experienced a brief moment of chills that seemed odd because I felt fine all day.  I planned to go to work on Monday, and thought I'd play it safe by testing.  Sure enough, I had covid.  Since then, my symptoms have been very mild and similar to a weak cold with minor sinus congestion—no fever, no cough, body aches, etc. I can breathe very easily through my nose. I did lose my sense of smell yesterday.  My doctor did not put me on Paxlovid because my symptoms were mild and responding to OTC cold medications.  
Here are my questions: How much longer will I test positive?  Today is Day 5 (or six if you count Sunday as Day 1), and I am still positive.  The T line really screams! Question 2: Is the loss of smell due to covid or allergies/concurrent cold?  We have an early spring here in DC, and things are blooming.  My symptoms have more in common with allergies or a cold. Should I be concerned if my loss of smell goes beyond a couple of days?  
Thanks to all who respond, and good luck to those recovering.  My sympathies go out to those who have lost friends or loved ones due to covid. 

I am a long-time lurker here who just got covid on Sunday, Feb. 12.  I am posting my experience in case it helps anyone, and then I have a couple of questions that others may be able to answer.  At 11 PM on Sunday, I experienced a brief moment of chills that seemed odd because I felt fine all day.  I planned to go to work on Monday, and thought I'd play it safe by testing.  Sure enough, I had covid.  Since then, my symptoms have been very mild and similar to a weak cold with minor sinus congestion—no fever, no cough, body aches, etc. I can breathe very easily through my nose. I did lose my sense of smell yesterday.  My doctor did not put me on Paxlovid because my symptoms were mild and responding to OTC cold medications.  
Here are my questions: How much longer will I test positive?  Today is Day 5 (or six if you count Sunday as Day 1), and I am still positive.  The T line really screams! Question 2: Is the loss of smell due to covid or allergies/concurrent cold?  We have an early spring here in DC, and things are blooming.  My symptoms have more in common with allergies or a cold. Should I be concerned if my loss of smell goes beyond a couple of days?  
Thanks to all who respond, and good luck to those recovering.  My sympathies go out to those who have lost friends or loved ones due to covid.