Thoughts from a Vaper with COVID-19

Our health is truly important – more so now than ever. Sadly, many have lost their battle and it has cost them their lives in this worldwide pandemic. My heart aches hearing about families who’ve lost a loved one and I’m concerned when I hear information pour into my ears about anyone who catches this form of coronavirus. However,  I’ve been wondering for some time now what it would be like to test positive for COVID-19 as a vaper.

Someone who I will respectively keep anonymous to safeguard their privacy, shared with me recently their own account experiences with COVID-19. This person is over 21 years of age whom exclusively uses vaping devices, but wanted to share their own, personal experience.

What was it like to have COVID-19? What was it like to test positive as a vaper, though?

“Having the Coronavirus or Covid-19 (for me) was initially a bit scary and drove my anxiety a bit insane...at first. It is, like many other viruses about the severity of your particular case and mine was very mild compared to those we’ve all read about that hospitalized so many throughout the county. My family was not alone in losing someone close to us due to Covid-19. 

My symptoms began with waking up with the chills and sweats. I did not have shortness of breath but did have a fever for a couple days, body aches, a dry cough, congestion as well as a loss of my senses of taste and smell. My family took the necessary precautions and began to disinfect common surfaces and I was then tested...a few days later the results were in and isolation began. The state Department of Public Health was very helpful and kept in contact with me the entire time, today I went for my retest and am hoping for a negative result.”

I wondered for a moment what this must be like while trying to vape.

“My symptoms, though mild as I mentioned, did not prevent me from vaping. The only thing was that I couldn’t smell or taste my e-liquids. It did not cause my cough to become worse while or after vaping, it was like vaping air (LOL). I needed the nicotine to aid in my sanity from not being able to go to work or anywhere else for that matter.“

I was curious if this person felt like they benefitted from vaping e-liquids that contained nicotine. Did they feel that it could’ve helped minimize their exposure or limited their symptoms?

“I personally don’t feel that vaping nicotine could have minimized my exposure to Covid-19 due to being an essential employee I honestly believe, even with proper social distancing and disinfection techniques I was bound to get it. I am extremely thankful to have had such a mild case which I would like to think could possibly be attributed to the fact I vape instead of smoke combustible tobacco.”

What advice would they like to share about their own experience with COVID-19?

“My advice to anyone about Covid-19 is that it is very real and can be devastating. If you are showing any symptoms, please self-isolate and contact your local testing site to make an appointment. I am a huge advocate for early intervention, if you can catch something early enough, it may aid in your recuperation. If you do test positive, listen to what your local health department people have to say and always consult with a medical professional.”

 Any special advice particularly for vapers about COVID-19?

“My advice for vapers about Covid-19 is about the same for those who are not vapers. I would add though, do not share your vape with anyone. This should go without saying, but we’ve all seen it and may have even done it, ourselves. We need to slow the spread of this and it starts with you.”

In wrapping up, what did they learn from this? Life is full of lessons and I wanted to get their thoughts on this, in particular, about their own experience.

“I went through this with the help, love and support of my family, friends and some of those who knew my situation in the vaping community, without that I could have seen my anxiety taking over and it could have very possibly been worse. You kind of look at yourself in another way because you’re forced to be with yourself for longer and you can start to realize your bad habits. I always thought I washed my hands, disinfected areas or used hand sanitizer at the proper times and in proper amounts but that was not the case. I am however, better at it now. (LOL)”