Ex-Millwall defender Mark Phillips on getting back to work after contracting coronavirus
Mark Phillips is still mystified by how he got coronavirus.
He had a headache on March 28, was days after lockdown and then a cough and sore throat.
By Tuesday March 31, he woke up with no smell or taste. And then, in the early hours of April 2, he was in accident and emergency.
“I took all the advice – alcohol wipes, gloves and masks,” he said. “I took all the precautions and I am still very fit,
with no underlying health issues. But I still managed to get it.
“It has been no joke. I hope people will pay attention and stay indoors because they would not want this to happen to their families.
“It began with a sore head – not just a part but my whole skull. I thought I do not want to pass even this on to my
kids – or anyone else – so they have not been staying with me. Things fell into place in that respect.
“It progressed to a cough and then a sore throat, then my chest.
“I still thought it was just man flu and took a paracetamol. Any footballer will usually get on with it if they feel a bug
– try to be positive and carry on.
“I didn’t think it was coronavirus because I had no temperature at all – so I thought I might be just overthinking it. But inside I was thinking I might be in trouble.
“But then on the Tuesday I woke up with no sense of smell. My breathing was really bad for two days and by Thursday I could not get two words out without coughing. That was scary.
“I was struggling and my chest was so tight. I called 111 and they transferred me over to 999 straight away.
“I was taken to the Princess Royal University Hospital in Bromley.
“I am still struggling. My headache has gone down.
“But I think if it is this bad for me, how bad would it be if I passed it on to my mum, say.
“My breathing is still not right. I will wait until 14 days after the symptoms are all gone before I go out again.
“I hope everyone will follow the government’s guidelines on distancing. I wish everyone and their families to stay safe during this difficult time.”