Young people need to stick to rules
A PERSONAL trainer who had Covid-19 is urging people to stick to the rules as more young people fall victim to the virus.
Prior to getting Covid-19, Iain Allen, 25, could cycle 100km, lift weights and train daily.
Two months on from his diagnosis, he’s only able to manage 20 minutes of exercise, and is experiencing signs of Long Covid.
Iain, from Kilmarnock, tested positive for Covid-19 in November.
Working as a personal trainer, he decided to get tested after a client tested positive, as he was concerned for the safety of his wife and baby.
Iain said: “I’m normally a healthy individual, living an active personal trainer lifestyle, but I’ve never felt an energy zap like it.
“I had a fever in the first couple of days and then it turned into wheeziness and breathlessness.
“It was quite tough for the first week, and then it seemed to get better, and then I tried to return to normal but I suffered from really bad fatigue and breathlessness for the following few weeks.
“I wouldn’t say I’ve actually fully recovered and this is two months on.
“I have some nerve damage which the doctors have described as Long Covid.” He added: “It’s had a big impact on my mental health and I struggle to adapt to not feeling the way I used to.
“When I got Covid-19 it was seven months on and I would say I was pretty compliant. I was maybe being a bit more lenient with the social distancing side of things, and would take my mask down if people couldn’t hear me, but I’m not going back to that.
“I think a lot of people think the restrictions are just to protect the vulnerable but I’m 25 and it’s impacted my life quite a bit, in terms of both my physical and mental health.
“If we stick to it now, we’ll definitely be living a freer life sooner rather than later.”