Brave student nurse battles Covid-19 twice in four months
ABRAVE student nurse fought off coronavirus twice in the space of four months while working on the NHS front line.
Samantha Curry, 21, battled the virus twice while also juggling her degree and working in a busy A&E department.
The final year student nurse from Southport was first struck with the virus in October and had to self-isolate for 10 days.
She did not experience severe symptoms and was able to return to work after her isolation period.
But, when the 21-year-old tested positive for a second time, she found herself struggling to get out of bed.
She said: “I tested positive for the second time at the start of February after starting a new placement in North Manchester’s A&E department. I was convinced I just had the worst cold I had ever experienced.
“I had extremely blocked sinuses for days, a runny nose, chills and hot sweats. Continuous headaches and a cough.”
Samantha is now taking part in a reinfection study to see what the effects are from having the deadly virus twice.
“A few weeks after my isolation this time around, I was contacted by Public Health England to take part in a reinfection survey.
“I really wanted to take part because not many people get coronavirus twice.”
The study involves a PCR test, a gum swab and an athome blood test. After a month, Samantha has to send off another set of samples.
Samantha is now back in placement and is encouraging people to do the study if they can.
“I recently completed the first part of this study and was shocked at how easy it was to do at home.
“I encourage anyone who tests positive to donate plasma, complete surveys and for anyone that is reinfected, to take part in the study.”